The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-06-03

Gen. Banks Red river, La, expedition, in which
he saw hard service. He is an active member
of the G. A. R. and past commander of R. O.
Tyler Post in Hartford. His theme was "a
Patriot, Patriotism and The Flag" and his ad-
dress was as follows:
Year by year the survivors of the War for
the Union draw nearer to that border line upon
which the last battle is to be fought and the
last enemy overcome, and while the scenes
and incidents of the past conflicts are happily
receding into the realm of the golden past, the
thoughts for the comrades beyond the line be-
come more tender and hallowed. Once more
we are summoned by patriotic requirements to
observe Memorial Day, and again we are bid
den to consecrate ourselves anew to the cause
of Constitutional Union by extending manifest
honor to the memory of those who spent their
lives in maintaining its noblest principles
Therefore, let each comrade, quickening his
interest or dspelling apathy, do his utmost to
make Memorial Day more notable in the annals
of the Grand Army of the Republic, challeng-
ing the thoughtful attention of the youth of
our city and the interest of the strangers from
other lands dwelling within our limits.
Did you ever seriously reflect what it means
to be fighting patriot? Many insincere peo-
| pie preach and profess patriotism, but the true
patriot practices it. What is true patriotism?
1t is a complete conservation to country
| 1t is abandonment of home, family and
business.
1t is turning away from cherished plans which
have been fondly formed for life career.
| 1t is the surrendering of bright prospects
and the giving up of all ambition in chosen
work.
1t is the sundering of the ties of blood and
family, and almost the swapping of the heart
strings which bind us to those we love.
1t is the absolute conservation of ourselves
to the demand of country.
1t may mean disease contracted by exposure
or wounds in battle.
1t may mean imprisonment, insanity or death.
/ 1t may mean hunger, thirst and starvation
In our Civil War it meant all of these; and
the friends and families of those so near and
dear to US, | am sure, carry with them some
experience or memory of the fearful exaction
of the war, and realize what it meant to be
fighting patriots
History is full of examples of the highest
patriotism on the part of the Union veterans
Their devotion to country was sublime; it was
almost Christlike.
/ Go with me to Andersonviile: view its hor-
rors and then tell me that the American soldier
was not true patriot and hero. See that pail
SADIE. 1t encloses twenty-five acres of ground;
within its borders are thirty thousand Union
soldiers. They are without shelter; they are
hungry and without food; thew are sick ard
dying, and without comforts or even the slight
est attempt at medical treatment or attention
The burning July Southern sun pours down on
their unprotected heads. They are suffering
for food and water. Men are dying by the
hundreds every day.
In this sad condition comes message from the
Confederate officials, saying that if they will
renounce allegiance to the Union cause and
enter the insurgent army they shall be set free
and released from their palisade of death.
A private soldier sick unto death, only able
to catch the glad word, freedom which
brought dear recollections of home and fami
/ l1r cd p,,h foe 1ol L
might better hear the message. The terms
were repeated to him, whereupon he said in a
voice scarcely audible: "Comrade. lift me up a
little and take what you find from my left
/ breast pocket"
The comrade quickly complied, and drew
forth little American flag from worn and
stained pocket Testament. The dying man
seized it, and pressing it to his lips he MUIR
INJURED: 81 can die for this flag but can never
fight against it,
I So must it ever be,
Flag of the free,
On land and sea.
In hospital at Nashville lay a wounded
volunteer whose shattered arm made amputa-
ton necessary. When it accomplished he
was laid gently on his couch. After awhile he
awakened from his sleep and missed his arm.
With his left hand he removed the covering,
and there was nothing but the stump. Where
is my arm?' he asked "Give me my arm, l
]
arm They brought it to him. Looking stead
lastly at the poor dead member, with fearful
earnestness he said, Good by, old arm We
have been long time together, but we must
part now Good by, old arm. You will never
fire another carbine nor swing another sal re
for the government" And as the tears rolled
down his cheeks, he said to those about him:
Understand, l am not complaining. l don't
regret my loss. This arm has been torn from
my body that not one State might be torn from
the Glorious Union.'
John Frost, private of Maine Regiment.
was captured on June TO- 1864, and was taken
to Andersonvile His particular friend and
prison chum was private of an Indiana Regi-
ment. This comrade had been in the prison
for long time and was fast wasting away
from disease and exposure 1t was known that
on certain morning list of names would be
read off for exchange. John with his chum
went forward; they were eager listeners for
their own names, as the list was proceeded
with. Early in the reading came the name
John Frost" but John made no answer. When
the reading was completed, it was found that
his dying comrade was not among the fortu-
nate ones. Turning to him John said, Jim,
you go up and answer to my name, if you stay
here week longer you will die. | am young
er and stronger than you; will stay and hold
out and believe can pull through"
His chum answered to Johns name and
went forth free man and in time recovered
his health. John remained for seven long
months and his exchange came none too soon.
He could not have stood it much longer
Weighing one hundred and fifty pounds or
more when he went in, when he came out he
was reduced to ninety, mere skeleton or
shadow of his former self. Was there ever
greater self-sacrifce displayed?
Such were the modern heroes of the Repub-
Vic. Tell me that men who were willing to
give up their lives for their country would
now bankrupt or discredit the government for
which they stood ready and willing to give
even their life blood to save!
This is patriotism which is above price, It
is not merchandise for barter; it cannot be
bought, for it is not in the market. There are
some things that money cannot buy, thank
God, and true patriotism is one of them
I $50 nigh to grandeur is our dust,
So near to God is man,
When duty whispers low, Thou must
The youth replies, 4 can"
In this land of freedom in the Civil War
there were nearly three million men who so
loved liberty and country that they were will
ing at any cost or sacrifice to follow our flag
The blood of half million men was shed in
that fearful conflict to preserve the Union.
Aye, more. There are men to-day by ten
thousands who are suffering from diseases con-
tracted in the service of their country and as