Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-22
WATERVILLE.
W. S. HEATH POST
Officially Visited by Depart
ment Com. Chamberlain.
Great Reception Given the Gallant Old
Civil War Fighter.
An Interesting Series of Speeches by
the Veterans.

w. S. Heath Post, G. A. r., had one
Of the most pleasant evenings of its
life, Thursday, the occasion being the
official visit of Department Comman-
der Chamberlain of Portland A fine
! supper was enjoyed in the dining room
at o'clock. A little after supper the
comrades gathered in their hall, where
speeches We're enjoyed. These were all
fine and We're greatly enjoyed.
The meeting was opened without
| form and Commander G. III. Nelson
| called Past Department Commander
James l.. Merrick to the chair. as he
was suffering from Il severe cold and
was too hoarse to speak. Mr.. Merricll
after taking tie chair made Il short
speech that was warmly received
There were about 100 present. Several
neighboring posts We're we'll repre-
scented.
Past Department Commander c. T.
Southland was first called upon and
caused much amusement by stating
chat he was glad that he had been
called on first. as he had the whole
evening before him. He guaranteed
'i-''S Els ''iHNN II lU)l Dt IlOIc llittIi
Two hours ana IL half long.
Mir. Southland tool, "onradeship as
the general subject of his remarks,
speaking of how ii had been started
on the Southern battlefields ana had
been increasing ever since. He men,
toned briefly his service under Gen.
Chamberlain and speaking of him
; with the love and esteem of the soldier
for his old commander.
Eev. M. Palmer of Fairfield, fol-
lowed Mr.. Southland. He. too discussed
conradeship. how it had been dcvel-
oped in the army life and been in
creased i'll the years that have fol-
lowed.
Thc first two speakers belonged to
the goth and l3th Maine. respectively.
and the next was George Golden of the
1st minnesota.
Mr.. Golden smoke of an experience
lie ndd i'll the same building, but the
other night. While listening TO speeches
of Others without any thought CT talk
ing part himself, when he was sudden
" called upon with the remark that
he had been engaged to speak. He said
he did not know that he had even boon
courted. but that he dared not refuse
for fear OF breach OF promise suit. Mi.
Golden made one of the best speeches
of the evening and was heartily ap-
plauded.
When Gen. Chamberlain rose to
speak he was greeted with most
heal " applause. He said in opening
that it was worth coming Il long ways
10 look into the faces before him when
be thought Of the scenes passed
through. In this connection he very
briefly skctched the conditions exist
ing at the opening of the Civil war.
Some, he stated, had thought to COM
fort him by asking how old he was.
He did not care how old the swinging
of the pendulum made the man. Men
who had wrought their lives into the
life of Il great nation could never die.
The only evidence of his age was Il
bit of writing carefully made by his
mother in the Old family Bible and he
intended to suppress that
Gen. Chamberlain spoke lovingly and
warmly of Generals Gordon. Long
street and others he knew well. H.
said he could not see why such men
could ever believe they were in the
right when defending the Southern
grades Of right The North was on the
side of right as God had implanted
truth i'll mars heart. Local self-gov-
ernment seemed the biggest thing to !
the South.
They limited themselves to this until
their idea Of right Of property had he |
com" almost their very life They
justified themselves by not looking
nigh and large ana allowed the little |
local interests dominate them.
Their argument that their country |
was being invaded was of The himsest |
f. certainly their country was as much |
under the flag rs any.
Things are often right on IL big scale |
when they are not on Il little scale
Linz pln rcbuiled his division command |
ers for freeing slaves in their territory.
vet when th~ time came he issued his |
groEt proclamation, making all slaves |
free
While Gen. Chamberlain apoIosized |
many time for the rambling character
of his thoughts his speech was one Of |
the best ever heard in the G. A. Il. hail
as III. Glistening eyes in his audience
plainly demonstrated. He stirred the
hearts; Of his comrades to the very bot