Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-01

kings, was his, his alone on earth
mans, plain mans. The right to rule.
From empire, where force gave
power, to federalism with it's fiction
to lord and vassal, thence to the arts
tOcracy with it's kings divine only il
rights usurped, still on acros.
the seas, moved the theory of govern.
ment and in our land was founded 9
dynasty of the people There was 6
protest to that specious plea that this
vas a better world when 1.-THE ignor-
ant many were guided by the wise
few" Here was land where mo mar
is good enough to rule another mar
without that others consent" From
this land says Carlyle, borne over
the Atlantic to the closing ear OF
Louis, King by the grace of God, what
sounds are these: Muff1ed, omnous
new in cur centuries? Boston harbor is
black with unexpected tea; behold a
Pennsylvania congress gather; and ere
long on Bunker Hill. Democracy an
nouncng in rifle volleys death winged
under her star banner to the tune of
Yankee doodle doc, that she is born,
and whirlwind like, will envelop the
w
arch had gone before him who per-
chance rebuked the assumption that
he was the divine prototype on earth,
there was born that immortal charter
proclaming 1--WE hold these truths to
be self-evident, that all men are ere
ated equal; that they are endowed, by
their Creator, with certain inaiienablc
rights; that among these are life, lib
ertY and the pursuit of happiness.
That to serve these rights govern
ments are instituted among men, de-
irving thus just powers from the con-
sent of the governed
Because this nation believed that
whether or not philosorhically sound,
yet assurcti!y therein contained was
the best working formula devised by
man as an index to government. was
the Civil War inevitable Because this
nation hardened when it's great apostle
of humanity said, 1.-THE authors of that
notable instrument meant to set up Il
standard maxim for free society which
should be familiar to all and revered
by all, constantly looked to, constant
ly labored for and even though never
ncrfrctly attained, constantly approxi-
mated and thereby constantly spread
ing and deepening it's influence and
the happiness and value of
life to all people, Of all cOlors every
where" Because as nation we be-
lieved that to be true; because this
truth was only attained by blood at
Bunker Hill, Ticondcroga and York
town, even so when the issue squarcly
,nn IN, cd ~ nation VnircI
in the clarion message "this nation
cannot long endure half slave, haaf
free" Again must blood be offered on
the altar of sacrifice to preserve for
man what man had Won
For moment picture the condition
prevailing throughout the land as the
relentless fact of an irresistible con-
flict forced its way home to the minds
OF the men Of this country. No great
standing army had we; no rcady-to-
hand engine of war. Yet the sky was
fast darkening and the air was close
oppressed, the lightning of rising pas
sion flashed in lurd glare all bespeak-
ing the impending storm. A Presiden-
tial campaign was waSed, in which
party platforms for a text offered con-
hicting Interpretation of a supreme
court decision, a Spectacular raid at
Harrer's Ferry and plain John Brown
gains place in history. South Caro-
lima voices open defiance and secession
becomes a fact.
The guns ring out at Sumter and it
is war, war, war. Public opinion, like
the waters of the ocean, at first merely
swept with riDDleS it dashed into re-
sistless rage. From the Senate of the
United States to the remOtest cross
roads grocery, war with it's necessary
is the all-impelling, all
absorbing theme.
And were the members who had in
herited the rewards of the Revolution
ready for the cries of rebellion? Did
the men of the North respond to the
nations call? From factory and farm,
from class room and work bench, down
from the hillsidcs and up from the val
eys, from every state and station
came yeoman soldicry of the new
world. No great army, no big navy
ready primed for instant conflict, but
thousands and thousands of men like
you, III whose veins ran blood con-
in a thousand struggles to
1DcrIy, ready now 10 protect ana VIM
Iicate this new theory of government
majority rules.
No army of discomfort was yours.
The North had been in the midst of
most prosperous times, industry and
commerce yielding to the active energy
IF free labor's splendid profits. No vast
domain of conquest with its possibili-
les of personal gain struck your gaze.
Surely when all We're busy in peace,
here was no room for a selfish war:
Do you ever picture what it meant, to
.heSc men and to those whom affection
pound to them, to sever all ties save
hat of country and voluntarily so in
% conflict.
How cicidly the day stands out in
your minds when you elected to en-
list. The half-century gone by, seems to
you veterans, looking back but n
shadow while across the Span of 50
ears you know the day of days in all
If life was that day when the men in
he ranks left home,
And who shall tell of the heart aches |
of the awful pangs of parting en- |
lurcd by dear ores then left behind
Tor know you. that these men with
orms now bent and spirits worn in 81 |
we're as full of life and light and hope |