Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-15

the great battles of the Civil War, the
men who were responsible for those Glo-
rious stars which still fioat with our Star
SpansleJ Banner in the cerulean field of
blue. Today. comrades we may look
| upon that flag with no past recollection
| of an insult unavenged or life of I'M
willing sacrifice in it's defence. Yes,
comrades, not one of us Union Veterans
here today but what under the fierce hail
of bullets, shot and shell has stood man
| fully in it's defence and the question
comes before us, Did we fight in vain?
Let the glorious reconstructive abilities
of the nation proclaim the answer What
| other nation upon the face of the globe
| has ever recovered from the effects of
such an internecine strife as America !?
What other country could allow such an
enormous sum as the millions which are
annually expended for the maintenance of
its defenders. And still have millions. to
spare in it's treasury, (money to burn),
yes, if necessary. in powder shot and
shell in defence of our homes, our God
| ana our country.
Comrades are you not proud today you
are American citizens? Are you not
proud of the fact that it is due to your
efforts that this Union still exists with
not q star obliterated which our fore
fathers in 1176 left as legacy or heirloom
to their descendants? Well may they look
| down upon us through the starry vault
! of heaven and sing with these who have
! gone before, Well done, good and faithful
servants, YOU have kept the faith How
have we kept the faith? AS American
citizens, firmly standing by the Union
| and Constitution and still striving to per-
petuate the same. Comrades, we of Gen
eral Beals Command feel justly proud to-
day that we have such men at Hayes,
Stewart. Oakman. Glidden and others
who are so able to represent the COM
mand.
We are proud of the fact that from our
command the national convention at Bos-
ton elected as COMMUNICATIVE chief, De-
partment of Maine, Col. Patrick Hayes of
General Beal Command. Well do we rec
oSnize the honor of having in our COM
mand man found worthy to represent in
its highest office the interests of such an
heroic body of men Col. Hayes is a vet
eran we'll known in this section man
of principle, of character and virtues
esteemed more by his domestic fireside
and surroundings than in the outer circle
a noble husband and esteemed father,
well may those who bear his honored
name be proud of him. Boston at it's
convention had him two days-for that
time he was theirs. Col. Patrick Hayes.
Today he is our comrade, friend and
brother. our Pat" a whole-souled Irish
American citizen. Thank God. this coun-
try recognizes the fact that the arm that
was given to support a family was offered
a. willing sacrifice to perpetuate this glo-
rious Union, and that in measure helps
BY financial reward to supply the de-
ficiency.
Dear comrades, here assembled
All honoreG boys i'm blue,
What other heart beneath a vest
Has ever throbbed more true?
For home and countrys honor.
w nat men could be more brave
Ihan those who stood beneath our flag
rms glorious land to save?
Bel ore those br2ve defenders
W no tore our ranks with shot and shell
Yet still we gained the day.
Yes. we We're there, brave comrades.
IN our faded coats of blue.
Ana today can say we saved the flag
h1ch made us L. V. U.
Let us give three cheers for Dickev.
Pat Hayes and Oakman, too,
With he who sings "Old Summer DAYS,
To amuse the U. v. U.