The Republican journal., 1904-06-16
WALDO COUNTY VETERANS
Hold Their June Meeting in North Scar
port.


port.
The Waldo County Veterans Associa-
ton met at Grange hall, North Searsport,
June I'd. A good'y number were present,
including representatives from Belfast,
Winterport, Searsport, Waldo, Frankfort
and Monroe. The Secretary, A. Stinson,
called the meeting to order and called Past
President II. r. Dawson of Monroe to the
chair. The committee on time and place of
the next meeting reported as follows: Time,
July 18th place, Morrill, (by invitation). An
election Of President to fill the unexpired
unanimous choice of H. T. Scribner. The
meeting then adjourned for dinner, at
which clans were served.
The President called the afternoon meet
ing to order, and after singing escorted
Comrade Scrbner to the chair, on assuming
which he made few appropriate remarks.
Then came the following address Of vel
come by Miss Carrie B. Stinson:
MIR. PRESIDENT, COMRADES AND La
DIES: Mine is the privilege this afternoon
to greet you, and to extend to you most
COTuldl WolcOul6. w 0lCOIuc Is SUCH all
word, addresses of welcome so common,
one would think people would tire, both Of
word and deed; but they do not. They
feel the sincerity of the word anew each
time it is uttered and are made glad And
we trust you will feel this sincerity, and
thatour little hall is yours for the day, to
enjoy as much as you can.
There has been no greater event to our
nation than when peace was restored to our
homes and country. When brother no
! 'cnger sought brothers life, but one flag,
Old Glory, tloated over united people.
\ on, veterans of the Waldo County Veter-
ans Association, with your comrades, by
your valor and integrity, under God, saved
our Union intact and complete. Many of
your comrades laid down their lives for the
cause. You escaped by Gods mercy, and
now meet at stated times to perpetuate the
memory of the past, and to instil into the
minds and hearts of the sons and daughters
try without which no nation is safe.
The Grand Army of the Republic is the
9randest civil organization the world has
ever seen. 1t contains the most illuStrious
names in history; names of brave men, who
in the darkest day of the Rebellion follow
ed the Stars and Stripes as the emblem not
OF a confederacy OF States. bound together by
ropes of sand, but as the emblem of an in
separable Union and understandable States.
We welcome here today those who, when
others faltered, laid down their lives, their
fortunes and their sacred honors upon the
altar of Liberty and Union, that a govern
ment of the people, by the people, and for
the people should not perish from the earth.
Comrades, since your meeting in Swan
vile, two of your members have passed
over the river and Joined the great majority
on the other side Who is there among you
that does not miss the kindly face of Com
rade Smart, one who was always ready with
oIa fpr in frnu h and
with strong words for the cause Of right.
Sadly each recurring year,
Ye who still are lingering here,
Scatter flowers of sweet perfume
On each fallen hero's tomb;
Comrades who have gone before,
Tenting on the other shore.
Let us not forget the living. Let us
strive to fill the few remaining years of our
life with sweetness. Speak cheering, APP
proving words while the ear can hear and
the heart be thrilled and made happy. The
kind words you have to say after they are
gone, say now. The flowers you mean to
send, give them to-day: Now in their
troubled and weary days do they need your
sympathy and help.
Comrades, in fraternity, charity and
loyalty, we bid you welcome, and when the
taps have sounded for the last time on
earth, and the lights are all out, may you
meet on the other side and join in the
ranks, true comrades forever, and all an
swer here at the final roll-cal.
Comrade A. Z. Nickerson of Swanville
responded in an able manner. The choir
then sang the Star Spangled Banner Com
rade A. Stinson was called upon and paid
the following tribute to the late Comrade
Nehemiah Smart of Swanville:
Some years since | was called to the bed
side of a dear friend and comrade, who had
baa tn u
hand in mine and looking into his fast dim
ming eyes, | said, "My dear comrade, do
you know me?" AT once his eyes bright
ened as he answered my appeal. | have
said frightened, should have said that his
eyes scintliated like diamonds and beamed
into such glorious eyes Thus a moment
passed. The eyes grew brighter yet, then
weaker and DINNER until their lustre was
gone. \ scarcely heard Sigh was gently
breathed, and the spirit of my dear COM
rade was waited on its way to that unds-
eler returns The body of my comrade lay
before me. The earthly tabernacle was
there, but the spirit, the intelligence that
dominated that body, had gone, never to re-
turn to earth or to inhabit its late abiding
. place. Strange thoughts, strange ideas; yet
for years have thought that | saw that i'm
prisoned soul depart and heard its message
of farewell.
What is death? Who can tell that it sep
arates the spirit from the flesh? All know
that the flesh after death perishes and de-
; Gays, but what of the spirit? What of the
intelligent part? For one, l assume an I'M
dying conviction that it still survives. l
know not how nor where, yet | do know
that l have never looked upon death with
/ out a strong conviction that my soul could
| not enter oblivion. 1t must survive. 1t
must somewhere exist and adapt itself to
its new conditions. 1t may be in happiness
/ it may be in misery; but this glorious
| thought l cannot eScape-nOr would 1.-The
everlasting belief in the eternity of the
soul. Oh, that it were possible for one
! short hour to see the friends, the souls we
! loved, that they might tell us what and
where they are!
! Yes, my dear comrades, there is rustic
among the leaves and a sound like throb
, as the ripe fruit falls upon the sod beneath
| the tree, ami that is all. The sun shines
! and the shadows fall and the winds whisper
among the trees just as before. The time
of bud and blossom comes again and again,
and the SHOWS white mantle falls upon the
graves of our departed friends.
| Mr.. President, comrades, ladies and
| friends, it is not my purpose to eulogize
the memory or to mourn over the loss of
our departed Comrade Smart. Our loss is
his gain. But standing in the presence of
| the Waldo County Veteran Association, in
| the hall where we have listened to his kind
and cheerful words, which we shall hear nc
more, it seemeth good to say few words to
his memory. 1t was my privilege to form
an early acquaintance with Capt. Smart.
| knew him in the dark DAYS of the rebellion.