Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-12-04
A Peace Celebration.

The following account Of celebration at the
close of the civi! war was written for the Lewis
ton Journal by William Bicknell. Esq, who was
for many years the Hartford correspondent OF
the Democrat as well as other papers IL is re-
published now, as many. especially Of the older
readers, may be interested In It,
Alta fiag-raising at Mount Pleasant,
May Day, 1861, it was resolved to ad-
journ the meeting till the rebellion was
crushed. Upon the fall of Richmond the
chairman gave notice of said adjourn
ment. Upon Mount Pleasant on May
Day morn the stars and stripes were for
the first time flung to the breeze. Four
years ago Nay Day was so cold and
clustering the flag was raised at the foot
of the mountain, now at the .op, emblem
atical of the advancement of Freedom.
When at the base there was dark stain
upon its folds, now it was made white
by the blood of thousands Of good citi-
zens, from the most obscure individual
to him whose death caused the great
heart of the nation to sigh. At the ap-
pointed hour the people marched in two
divisions, (the ladies carrying banners
bearing appropriate notices in letters Of
cedar, supported by our honored tlags,)
speakers stand, which was decorated
with evergreen, surrounded with flags.
On the front "God Grant Victory"
"'16," surrounded with stars, "Union
Forever" Above the speakers was a
beautiful banner bearing this sentence in
the shape of a harp, columbia weeps
for thee" with black and white star in
the center. On the reverse, ''Our trust
is in God" in letters of blue on white
ground, within a circle of red, with a
May wreath.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
PRAYER by the Rev. Mr.. Wiley of Sum-
ner: Introductory remarks and poem by
William Bicknell of Hartford; "Ameri-
ca by the choir; address by the Rev.
Mr.. Thompson of Auburn.
1t was one of the speakers best efforts,
when his whole soul is in the work. 1t
was worthy the speaker, the cause, the
occasion and the audience.
I'VE are marching down to Dixie's
land" by Hartford Glee Club; remarks
by Rev. Mr.. Bsrrows of Sumner. They
were like Goals of fire from the altar of
Liberty. Brother when will you come
back?" BY the club; remarks by Rev.
Mr.. Wiley, they were from live soul, in
a live cause. to live hearers; 1.-THE long
night is ending" by the club; remarks
and poem by Sampson Turner, Esq. His
words were sharper than two edge
sword; 1--WE are marching on to Rich
mond," by the club.
The choir then invited all to repair,
after adjournment, to the tables which
were decorated and supplied with that
taste and skill only known to ladies,
whose hearts are warm in great and
glorious principle. The meeting then
was adjourned, without day, by the
audience singing "Old Hundred"
The assembly then gathered around
the festal board and after blessing was
invoked by the orator of the day, par
took with a relish of the free will offer
ing. Then amidst soul stirring music
warm congratulations were exchanged
where heart to heart could speak that
language only known to those who had
loved ones leave all to battle for freedom.
The speaking was of high order, music
soul stirring, singing excellent, and the
performance of Miss Julia Robinson,
of Hartford, at the melodeon superb.
HARTFORD,