The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-05-03
PATRIOTISM.
TUE pEcoRp OF SOME OF SEARS
PORTS CITIZENS.

pOPT'S ClIlLENS.
To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL:
Is there a lack of patriotic spirit among
our people of to-day-is question that
comes home to the boys OF 81. 1t is
a. fact. most noticeable in our cities,
especially those of cosmopolitan char
acter. that the greatest amount of en-
tbusiasm and admiration for the veter-
ans is shown on Memorial Day by the
foreign born. 1t has been our privilege
to witness the respect and attention
shown by those who could not speak
orr language. While the G. A. r. boys
marched by on Memorial Day, Arme-
mans. Greeks, Italians, Poles. all stood =
with their chats off," showing as
best they could their respect for the
veterans who perilled their lives for
the safety of the nation. The story
thew could not repeat, but the spirit
was deeply in evidence. Our mind goes
back to those trying days. when it
was a question whether we were to
have a country or not; and Memorial
Day. with all that it suggests, recalls to
memory many of the men who were
active in those days in stirring up the
people to the point of duty to country,
keeping the ranks filled when depleted
by the horrors Of war. All honor to
those men, and we trust their descend
ants lack nothing of the patriotic spirit
that prompted the noble deeds of their
fathers. Well do we remember the
eluquence of Jeremiah Merithew when
word came that Searsport must furnish
her first contribution of men-a full
company composed of the best blood of
our citizens. Again and thrice again
the summons came for more men, and
nobly did the townspeople respond un-
til out of voting population of 532
three hundred and twelve were sent to
the front. Capt. Samuel Curtis, loyal
Democrat, took his place in line and
marched in the ranks. That Gladstone
among all the master mariners of the
town, Capt Phineas Pendleton. Jr.,
every inch patriot, out of his own peck
ct paid toward the support of families of
those who volunteered. No less con-
spicuous was Capt. William McGilvery
benefactor IS well as patriot; Captain
Isaac Carver another of the famous
group; Robert Porter, Rev. Stephen
Thurston, Uncle Eben Sawyer, stanch,
earnest, loyal men. There were many
others we could mention, but time and
space forbid. We hope the people of
Searsport will not lose sight of the fact
that these men deserve to be remem-
bered in enduring marble; that suitable
tablets should be placed in Memorial
Hall with their names engraved there
on. AS Memorial Day approaches let
us see if the fires of patriotism may not
be rekindled, that the present genera
ton may thereby receive an inspiration
from the sacrifices and noble deeds of
their fathers, that will endure long
after the last soldier of the rebellion is
mustered out. Let the pupils and teach
ers of all the schools in town be invited
and assigned part i'll the exercises, as
well as to hear the story from one who
was soldier in language most eloquent,
Of the blessings of peace, the result of
self-sacrfice and devotion to the dear
old flag and orr common country. Our
public officials should set the example,
together with the descendants of those
grand men whom we have mentioned
and should not do less than lend their
voice or presence on this the ''Day of
UalloWed Memories The Grand Army
boys do not ask for praise, but rather
wish to emphasize the fact that spirit
of patriotic devotion and love of coun-
try should be not only the privilege but
the duty of every person receiving pro-
lection under the folds of the American
flag. E.B.B.
Lynn, Mass.