Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-26

Cochrane, then deputy secretary of
State. The colors of the 22d and 23d
Infantries We're then lacking, but
these have since been turned in and
given their place with the rest. Adju-
tant General John c. Caldwell in his
| report for 1861 mentioned the ar
rangcment Of the colcrs by Mr.. Coch-
| rane and SAYS: "They are memorials
OF the glory and horrors of war, the
| infinite crime OF the rebellion, and the
| energy. sacrifices and victory of free
| people. The representatives of the
| people pass to their halls of delibera-
| ton, beneath these tattered ensgns,
| which have been borne on many a
| bloody field, and which will perpetual
| ly rcmird of the cost and value of
| free Institutions
| Adjutant General l.. b. Murray. Jr..
in his annual report for 1870, printed
| a list of the colors then in the rotun-
| da # the Capitol. and in connection
| Herewith said: These colors are
much exposed, as they are now ar
rarged and provision should be made
| for their better protection. Some of
| them have little more than the staff
remaining, and in a few years, most, ii
not all of these tattered enslgnS, me-
mentoes of the national conflict and
| the restored Union, viii be destroyed
Governor Perham, in his message
| To the Legislature in 1871, referred 10
| the report OF Gen. Murray, saying: II
| eau your attention especially TO his
suggestions in regard To the preserya-
| ton of the flags that were carried by
| the Maine troops in the war; which
are now exposed in the rotunda of
| the Capitol. These flags should be
carefully preserved rs mementoes OF
| the nations great conflict and as con-
stanr reminders of til terrible strug-
| gle which perpetuated our national
| Union" The Legislature of 1871 made
no appropriat ton for flag cases but
| the Legislature of 1872 passed a re-
| solve appropriating the sum of $500 to
| be expended, under the direction Of the
Governor and Council, in purchasing
| suitable cases for the preservation
| Of the colors ard trophies in the ro-
| tunda Of the Capitol"
Governor Perham in his message to
| the Legislature in 1873 reported the
| construction of the cases and the ap-
prepriate arrangement of the colors
| and trophies. saving in addition:
1T is fitting that. as we and those
who come after us, enter this build
| ing, our eyes shall first rest upon
| these silent but eloquent reminders of
| our great national struggle. They
| viii bring to remembrance the price
| this generation has paid for the pres
| ervation of our national Union. and
| inspire devotion to it's principles.
| THE soldier, as he gaZes upon the
| old regimental flags under which he
| fought SO bravely and triumphed so
| gloriously, and reads the names of
the battles inscribed upon their folds,
ard calls freshly to remembrance the
| trying scenes attending them, will
drop tear for the memory of conn
races lost, and breathe prayer for
the country he loves better than HE
| Every star. every stripe, every color
and letter of these battle-torn Tags
are sacred to him who loves The cause
they represent. Let them be faith
fully protected and sacredlv pre-
! se~Ved.
II \ resolve was passed by the Legis-
lature of 1866, according to the terms
| of which. none of the flags may be
removed from the State House. upon
any pretence, whatever, save in an
emergency. threatening their destruc-
| ton. The terms of this resolve are as
follows:
Whereas the regimental battle
flags. guidons and war trophies depos-
tied in the State House for preserVa
tion and safe keeping, are liable 10
| injury or loss by being removed there
| from, and as these precious memo
| rails of the sacrifices and gallantry
| of the soldiers of Maine should be
safely preserved and protected, be ii
| therefore.
| Resolved. That from and after the
passage of this resolve. no national
| or regimental flag or flags, smdons,
or trophies of the war therein depos-
tied. shall be removed upon any pre-
tence whatever. except in case of fire,
| or other danger thereto. which may
render such removal necessary; and
| the Governor and Council are hereby
| authorized To cause, as soon as prac-
ticable, a historical record of such
regiment, battalion and battery OF
| Maine volunteers engaged in the ser
| vice of the United States during the
| late Rebellion to be prepared, suitably
framed and suspended below the col
|
and batteries, so deposited, or which
| may hereafter be deposited for preser-
walton in the State House and to audit
accounts for services and expense in
preparing such records. and allow
| payment therefor from any moneys IN
the State treasury, not otherwise APP
propriated.
The battle flags remained in the
cases built in 1872 until the renova-
| ton of the rotunda during the State
House enlargement in 1909 made theii
removal necessary. The return of the
| flags to the rotunda after the enlarge
ment of the State House and theil
| housing in the new steel cases was
| provided for by the following order
| introduced in the House, Jan. 49, 1911
by Representative Frank E. Mace OF
| Great Pond, now State land agent and
| forest commissioner
| Whereas. the state House Commits
| sion in re-arranging the State House,
| removed the battle flags of Maine reg
| FROM, monument nlapp in the