Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-31
Memorial Day Has Appro-
pirate Observance.
Graves Decorated Address by
6. N. Seiders Of Portland.


1.-The Saving Power OF the People,,
might well be called the theme of
the address delivered by Hon. George
NJ Seiders of Portland before the
members of Heath Post. No. 6. G. a.
r., and the allied bodies at the eX-
ercises held Tuesday afternoon in
Grand Army hall. Mr. Soldiers is
himself veteran of the Civil War
and member of Bosworth Post of
Portland. In opening his address he
called attention to the fact that il
was 50 years ago that the Civil War
started and remarked on the large
representation of men living now who
took active part in the campaigns.
lie mentioned the changed point of
view of the veterans now as compar-
ed with that of 80 years ago. At that
time it was thought that few men
ruled the world. Now it has been
learned that the people rule
He then took up the main theme
Of his address, the saving power Of
the people. He claimed that all the
nations of antiquity possessed it,
but that had it been a constant force
there would never have been but one
nation and none others As regards
our own country the speaker declar-
ed that it was yet in its infancy
Born of vigorous rarentaee. liberty
and religious freedom it is not eontln-
ed within our oHn broad land but is
spreading out on all sides and build
ing up hopes for our people. Ii was
the power Of the people, he said. that
carried our nations flag to the Aslatie
shores and planted it on the islands
of the caribbean sea. The people are
the.authors of all great victories.
The greatest illustration OF the saw
ing power of the people, according to
Mir. Seiders. was shown III the Civil
War. when vast armies were quickly
assembled and then after they had
done their work returned to civil life
to enjoy their victories. In connec-
ton with this part of his speech the
speaker paid high tribute to the
soldiers of the Civil War for their
actions both on the field of battle and
then after their return home. He
said that the soldier of the Civil War
was doubiy equipped to become lead
ers at home after the war and that
they fulfilled all The offices to which
they were elected i'm the best possible
manner.
>s~rAie characterized these yearly gath
y4ngs on Memorial day as being the
fsieaif8 eof relSindling the saving power
in the people. Even the people who re-
coded have returned and are now as
patriotic as any other portion of the
country The youth of our country are
tie greatest power for creating the
saving power of the people, he said,
az on them rests the responsibility of
good welfare Patriotism, lie de-
clared. was not standing ready to en-
list in time OF war alone but in taking
active pagtai all our affairs of coun-s
try, state and town and being loyal
Mr.. s$&fsers spoke for nearly an
hour - ygs listened to attentfvefys
and rY57Ax Favorable comments We're
heardof his address. Previous to his
raH1 Atljutant Cross read the Gem
= 4<fS for Memorial day and
Xas offered by Rev. NJ. G..
tly after th- exercises the line
n formed and the parade marched
Eroye cemetery, where the
Were decorated. Returning to
60nunent on the common the GER
~ decoration was carried out
5utant Cross read Lincoln's adj
6ettysburg and Mr.. Miner Of
fefeE fyfayer
ThS Gardner Band furnished music
in excellent style for both the cxer-
ciseg in this city in the afternoon and
i,f HaEiolplf IN the forenool.A fea-
tqresef the exercises in both places
was the large representation of the
Junior, Sens of Veterans These little
falt6Ws from 4 tn Ia yepra of age
inarched like veterans and made d
fire showing. The platoon of police con
sistiug of City Marshal Wakefield and
QtHGas sCusiols,s AnHis. Merrill and
Blaisde,l was surely a credit TO the
city. making fine appearance.
Oak Grove cemetery presented well
Kept appearance and showed that Supt
Ssaifth aisd his men have put in a lot
OF Work there. The lots were all
trimmed up in fine shape and beauu
f1lilu zdafnratad