Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-08
WILLIAM CONWAY.
The Loyal Sailor Whose Memory Win
Be Honored At Camden.

be Honored At Camden,
Aug. 30. 1906. at Camden, Me thor.
be celebration in honor Of William c vii
way. sailor in the United Stateg MI
who. while on duty 1T the Pensacog.-
Navy Yard Jan. y. 1ssl, was order ssfg bs
down the American flag. this off1cer anu anu
others proving unfaithful- Conway r".
came known. and Conway received t pe
thanks OF the Navy Department rbronrnnss
Secretary Welles. and gold medal W.
presented To- him by. about one hundred
California. In honor of this sailor a ros'
mortal has now been erected in Camden
and this memorial will be unveiled on the
above date Rear Admiral Evans. COM ,s
mander-in- chief Of the North Atlantic
fleet. will bring to Camden, for partici-
patton in this ceIebra tion. eight large
battleships and six destroyers. and IN
the day Of the celebration he will land a
large number Of his officers and men
The principal address. rehearsing the
story Of Conway's refusal will I've de-
lain of Portland. and there will be brief
addresses by Governor Cobb and others.
H. connection with the unveiling there
will be a national salute Of twenty-ons
guns. Tho following is the inscription on
the large boulder which has been placed
in prominent position in the town:
WILLIAM CONWAY.
Quartermaster L. s. Navy,
A native of Camden
On duty at the Pensacola Navy Yard
January II, 1861.
Was ordered to haul down the
American Flag
In token of surrender.
He Indignantly refused.
Honoring his sturdy loyalty
The town IF Camden erectS this boulder
to his memory, and
The Maine Commandery Of the :
Military Order of the LOYAL Legion
Of the United States
Adds this Tablet
At sunrise. at the fiagstaff's head.
above the wand,swept trees. =,
Upon the morning breeze.
Fair ensign of the land he loved
It hung against the sky.
And stirred anew within his heart
patriots loyalty.
For singing words had caught his ear,
I've soon will haul the old flag down."
Was what he heard men say
Venture a strong dissent
Their words were lost amid the shouts
With which the air was rent
AS in some widening track
Some blazing forest fire
Sweeps on with rapid. angry roar
Mid desoIation dire.
So through the South a hurrying flame,
Secession made its way.
The Union which the fathers framed
Men said had had it's day.
All this the loyal sailor heard
And saw his duty plain:
Should those around him faithless prove.
On him should rest no stain
So wncn he raised the flag that morn.
His heart aGlow with pride.
There was no trembling in his hand
Whatever might bst:de.
The day advanced At length was heard
A stir without the gate:
Then came voice as of command
1--WE represent the State;
It's sovereign word we herewith speak.
The gate wide open fiirg,
The old authority is dead.
Another rule we bring.
No one was there to say them nay:
The gate was open thrown:
And then the shouting throng came in
As if unto their own
AInrg the street they pressed their way,
With hurried. eager tread.
Their eyes upon the nag fh1t waved
Up at the fagstaff's head.
An ofienr who faithless proved ..
leading the noisy band.
CnmindfuI of the oath that once
He took with lifted hand.
Rrhcld the sailor Mt his rost.
Haul down the flag he cried
Tho sailor stood unmoved. his looks
The leaders, words defied.
And then forthwith. his ewes ablaze,
The sailor made reply:
| This is my countrys flag" he said.
And for II I car die.
! recognize NO right nj YOURS
In making this demand;
I will not lower the dear nld Gag
And stain my heart and hand
The words like bolts from ont thu sky
Fell on the throng around.
taerring to the mark thew sped.
And pierced the mark they found
The fac came down bv other hands.
But the 1ishonorng deed
At once became a trumpet call
Which patriot hearts would heed.
All through the North the ringing words
That loyal sailor spoke
Wnrr horne as on some mighty wind
And swift responses woke.
The hearts of men were stirred. forth
came
A strong heroic banI:
And when the conflict closed. the flag
Was UP in all the land
"T.nt us have naace." tho victors said:
And peace with her white wings
DE- ecendCd on the weary land
The peace love Only brings:
Again ono flag alone was scen
North. South and East and West
The aa~ for which orr fathers fought
Nav blnssiroc " rcst,
I-HFNpY j. RURRAGE. in Boston Tran
script.