Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-01
annual TRIBUTE TO THE
men Who WORE THE blue,
Memorial Day Observed All Over the Country With
the Usual ExerCiseS---The Observance In
Augusta and Other Maine Places.
Mrs. Ella Jordan Mesoa
Fort HalfSaA Band

| Grafton. Mrs Ella Jordan Mesea
Music. Fort HaefaaA Band
Benedietion.
The following is an abstract Of Mrs.
MasOn's address:
/ esteem it a privilege to speak be-
fore this honored body on this day
of days to the Grand Army Of the
Republic, where it would seem fitting
that one who had participated in those
events should do this duty. can but
express the ideas Of latter genera
ton from a child's sodid memory. IL
seems to me we should call q halt one
day in the year to review concisely the
history OF that period for the sake of
those still living that they may be sure
we are not ungrateful to them and al
so that this rising generation may
know that they were on the right.
These young people cannot realize that
these men were the heroes OF q thou
sand battles. Neither can they know
al they sacrificed and endured
Ono Of the greatest questions the
world had to solve was settled in this
country by the most cruel Civil War
Of the past century. The causes which
led to 1t had always been part Of our
national life but so fractional that no
legislation could be devised which
would be accepted on either side The
time was ripe and we were the chosen
people. God deals with natures as with
individuals. He gives to each some Pc
cuial' mission, the working out Of
which tends to the advancement Of
the race. All history has proven this
true. We were inconsistent even In our
first national life. We preached liber-
ty and freedom but we practfced slav-
cry and oppression. 1t was this dis
cord which rent us in twain. The South
demanded the right to hold slaves as
property the North said mo, not out
side q certain boundry." The South
proceeded to break this union OF states
and constructed another on their own
peculiar ideas. Abraham Lincoln waA
then called to the head of the nation
He came as one called Of God. He took
the helm Of the ship OF state ana
steered straight through the tempes-
tuous pillows OF treason and rebellion,
brought the ship into the safe harboF
Of success and then gave his life that
the nation might live. Great men and
good prayed and begged for peace, but
in vain. The North was prompt and
enthusiastic in its response to the cail
for troops and in our own State came
forward and justified her motto. With
in three months six regiments reported
ready for duty. Our Maine regiments
were made up from all the ennoblina
walks OF industrial life Our farmers
with their rugged manhood; our mo
nj, MI yx,tfh hot froi
students from our colleges, medical
and law schools. Our most distinguish
ed men left their business and profess
sions to aid their impereled country.
Your own college suffered severely
and you do we'll to honor the memory
Of those brave boys who left those
classic walls to do battle for their
country's homer. That year
Of 81 will long be remembered. You
veterans will recall the patriotic
speeches. the flag raisingS, the enlist
ment drilling and the last day at homo.
Love babe goodbye to brave wDtnsa
without half guessing what they were
suffering. They took up the burdens
where the men laid them down and
reared their little families to be worth4
OF their heritage. Our Maine Regiments
were IN the battle Of Bull Run and
proved themselves brave heros ever
II 1t proved a Waterloo. They planted
the old flag in the face Of this oneanE
and defended it even after the order
for retreat.
Then followed that long suspense OF
inaction Then that terrible slaughter
at Balls Bluff: then came battle
after battle and defeat followed tho
Northern army in nearly every con-
fiict and the nation was shrouded IN
mourning You veterans win recall the
dark days Of '63, when Gen. Lee flush
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