Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-05-31

SUITABLE OBSERVANCE OF THE occA.
SION BY THE VETERANS AND OTHERS.

SUITABLE OBSERVANCE OF THE occA
SION BY THE VETERANS AND OTHERS.
Another Memorial Day has come ant
gone, and the memory of the departed
soldiers of Paris has been honored will
flowers and evergreen laid upon theil
graves, and with services appropriate t
the day by William K. Kimball Post
G. A. K.
Bright skies and balmy airs prevailed
on Sunday and through most of the day
Monday, and the clouds of Monday
afternoon hardly did more than temper
the sunlight, so that throughout the
services nature in her loveliest garb
gave fitting setting to the beautiful
services of memorial.
The memorial sermon was given be-
fore large congregation at the South
Paris Methodist church Sunday after
noon at $50, by the pastor, Rev. Howard
A. Clifford. Some more than forty
Grand Army veterans and larger num-
Der of the Relief Corps were present.
Mr.. Clifford spoke in substance some
what as follows:
Text John 4, "a. "Jesus saith unto
them, my meat is to do the will of Him
that sent me, and to finish His work. ="
Theme. Sacred memories are inspira-
tons to undertake unfinished work.
"Our honored dead-how calm they sleep,
Beneath the flower decked sod to-day,
Unmndful of the eyes that weep,
Unmindful of the hearts that keep
Sad vigils DER their clay"
Jesus Christ came from Heaven to do
His great part in the redemption of a
sinful and needy race. His task was
gigantic and cost Him mitch prayer,
bloody sweat on His brow, and death
of agony. He spared not Himself, and
when He went back to Heaven He left
heavy burdens and mighty undertakings
for all His followers. In every land
there has been a call for pioneers,
heroes and martyrs. Our personal and
religious liberties, our forms of govern
ment, the best institutions in a Republic,
the right to think, to speak, to print,
all have the blood mark to show their
cost. England, and every other country
Of Europe, became great grave in con-
slant battles for liberty of body or mind.
Dark dungeons are records of lonely and
sacred struggle in the forward march of
,ur race. We can study history on all
at Bannockburn in Scotland,
1t Waterloo in Belgium, at Antietam
md Gettysburg. 1t is our duty to re-
all holy struggles, all conse-
rated lives; for when we forget the
and devotion of our soldiers
md other heroes we shall have memory
lnickened by present conflicts and add
ID horrors.
In our national history, the four years,
S6l-G5, gave us chapter of thrilling
interest that must touch human hearts
until time shall be no more. We shall
ind no dishonor if we compare the
Northern army, her generals and Won
lerful soldiers, with all other leaders
md armies from the days of Joshua or
Alexander. What soldiers you were!
President Lincoln said of the gallant
lost: There is not regiment of them,
which might not furnish brains enough
% run this government" All soldiers
lid not have equal merit, but forth
rom factories, farms, academies, and
colleges went an army to challenge
admiration of all mankind. 1t was a
bloody and awful task and you had to
ace brave men. Beecher made keen
effort to the English mob when asked
Why the rebellion was not put down
more rapidly? 1--WE are fighting Ameri-
ans, not Englishmen. What about
lonors and monuments for all the heroes |
# the Union Army? Give the living sol
lier a generous pension, and place fair |
lowers on graves of departed comrades.
We must not forget these men and their
antilles. But there is hardly time for
many honors, we must grid our loins for
he unfinished work left by our Saviour.
)ur race needs help. Our cities and
owns do not yet attain the highest
deals. Great duties and difficulties yet
all for Christian devotion and sacrifice.
even New England life needs improve
nent, the Negro in the South must be
fitted and trained, saloons should be
losed, divorces ought to decrease. The
common habit of profane swearing,
political corruption, gambling and fire.
luent murders furnish grave problems
md suggest great duties. Christ will
lelp us in our tasks. Webster's words
N his reply to Hayne in 1880 voice our
,wn desires: 'When my eyes shall be
urned to behold, for the last time, the
,un in heaven, may not see him shin
ng on the broken and dishonored frag-
nents of a once glorious Union"
The graves in Riverside Cemetery
we're decorated Monday morning by VIM.
<. Kimball Post. There were brief eX-
,rcises at the cemetery, including the
'eading of Lincoln's Gettysburg address
~ Capt. Bolster, singing by ladies'
,extette, prayer by Rev. j. Ii. Little,
md brief but eloquent address by Hon.
Eco. A. Wilson. The post then marched
20 the station to take the train for West
Paris.
Arrived at West Paris the line formed
and led by the marshal of
he day, Capt. III. n. Bolster, marched
% the cemetery to hold appropriate ex-
,rcises and decorate the graves of the
fifteen comrades who are resting in the
little graveyard. A touching and APP
)ropriate address was given by +. l..
Nyman which received generous APP
clause. An address was also made by
Rev. DR.. Brooks of South Paris. 1t was
ull of "reminiscences and tender re-
of those days of the civil
conflict, with special mention of the
patriotism due to our country and our
lag. There was a prayer by Rev. ID. +.
Nelson, and singing by mixed quar-
.ette. Also singing by the primary school
At noon dinner was
furnished in Odd Fellows Hall.
The afternoon exercises were held in
Dunham's Hall at 2 p. NJ, the large hall
being crowded to it's capacity by an
Interested and attentive audience. The
school children marched in body
around the hall and to their seats.
Prayer was offered by Rev. II. A. Clifford
If South Paris. A few words of cordial
Welcome were then given by Mrs. G.
Everett Chase and responded to by
Adit. Bolster. Next was read Lincoln's
address at Gettysburg. A pretty flag
irill was given by eight young girls. A
reading was given by Mrs. w. Il. Lurvey
which received hearty applause. An
outline of the reasons and conditions
the civil war was interestingly
outlined by Hon. James S. Wright OF
South Paris, and the favorable results to
our nation were indicated. The princi-
pal address of the day was then given by
Rev. j. II. Little of South Paris, and
from beginning to end he held the clos
est attention of the large audience as
sembled. The large part of the address
was given to an eloquent word picture
of the great and important battle of
Gettysburg and touched briefly upon
the sacrifice, loyalty and patriotism of