The Republican journal., 1909-01-28
ished as the statute provides. If law

lShed as the statute provides. II law
proves obnoxious it can be repealed; but
so long as it remains on the statute
books it should be impartially enforced
everywhere within the borders of the
State. If this is not done as to one law
it tends to break the force of all laws
and to lessen the respect in which our
highest legal tribunal should be held.
That we believe to be the sentiment of
the people of Maine, regardless of their
political affiliations. They are law
abiding people and believe in and de-
mand equal justice to all.
For some time past efforts have been
made to secure legislation by Congress to
create a retired list on half pay for vol
unteer officers of the Civil War. This
matter came before the Maine Senate
last Thursday in the form of resolution
for memorial to Congress asking for
this legislation. Senator Looney of Port
land in presenting the resolution said:
81 do not deem it necessary to give at
length the reasons for the passage of
these resolutions, nor is it necessary
They are written on the heart and con-
science of every patriotic American. No
human scales can determine the weight
and the value of the services of the
Northern soldier. He lifted 1900, 900 of
black men from the grinding mills of
servitude to the light of day. He wrote
with pencil of iron on the brow of the
continent that never again should it be
trodden by slave. The fabric of the
union he cemented by his blood. Were
it not for his courage and sacrifice the
Federal union would be rent into discor-
dant factions and the Mississippi would
be second Rhine, with blue watch on
one side and a gray upon the other. He
lifted mankind to higher level than it
owes him a debt of gratitude it can
never repay.
''To him how fittingly can be applied
the words of Duncan to Macbeth:
Thou art so far before,
To overtake thee Would thou had less
deserved
That the proportion both of thanks and
payment
Might have been mine! only | have left to
say
More is thy due than more than all can pay.
''On account of the infirmities of age,
business reverses and misfortunes which
men of frank, noble and generous natures
too often meet in contact with material
age many of the veterans of the Civil
War are sadly in need of compensation
which the enactment of this bill will
have. The States of New York, Illinois
and Ohio have unanimously passed reso-
buttons similar to these
''Surely the legislature of Maine will
not be less just, humane and considerable
than her sister States. These resolutions
harmonic and are consistent with
Names historic past No State has a
prouder record. Sixty thousand of her
sons wore the blue Every battlefield in
that great conflict from Bull Run to APP
pomatoX was Illuminated by their valor
and consecrated by their blood. The
names of her great commanders, Berry,
Chamberlain, Howard, Conner, Fessen-
den and Dow will forever gild the pages
of history and be written in imperishable
characters high on the scroll of immortal
fame
Senator Staples seconded the motion,
and Senator Warren of Cumberland
spoke briefly in opposition to the resolve.
On motion of Senator Baxter the matter
was referred to the committee on federal
relations.