The Republican journal., 1912-04-18
Meeting of Waldo County
Veterans.

ton met at the orange nan III NorIn
Searsport April '4th, and although the
travelling was very bad some of the COM
rades drove ten or twelve miles to attend
the meeting. The forenoon was taken
up in renewing old acquaintance and
talking over the scenes of 81 and Co..
At IL O'Clock, sharp, the dinner call
sounded and all repaired to the dining
room. where bountiful dinner had been
prepared by the sisters OF Granite
Grange. After dinner cigars were pass
ed and the usual smoke talk was enjoyed
by the old veterans. President Crockett
called the afternoon meeting to order,
and the hall was we'll filled. After sing
ing America and prayer by Comrade
Daniel Carleton of North Searsport,
Mrs. Carrie B. Sraulding gave the ad-
dress of welcome, and by request it is
printed in full, as follows:
MR.. PRESIDENT, COMRADES AND LADIES:
Another year has rolled round and again
l have the pleasure of welcoming you to
our Grange home. 1t is feeling of
pride that sweeps over each and every
one when we hear you are to meet with
us again, and we willingly and CRATE
fully open our doors and with out
stretched arms, bid you welcome.
We welcome you because you have
overcome all obstacles and come some
distance, many of you, to perpetuate the
memory of your comrades, with whom
you were associated in the hottest of
human causes, and as mas been said:
eve welcome you because you are the
worthy sons of loyal State which sent
out over $4,000 brave men to battle for
the right. A nobler cause than that for
which you fought, history has not on
record"
The fraternity, which birds with golden
chains the comrades of this organization
knowsno distinction of rank, and was
born of privation shared and hardships
endured. The charity Of this organiza-
ton is heaven-born and brings to the
homes OF the suffering soldier and his
family aid and comfort, hope and cheer.
The loyalty of the Grand Army is as
pure and unselfish as was that proven
during the eventful days from 81 to '65.
These meetings are benefit to us all,
especially to the children, of patriotism,
and love for the grand old flag. A
thoughtful mind, when 1t sees nation S
nag, s. es not the nag only ouI me l1a'i Oh
INSIGNIA he reads chiefly in the fac the
government, the principles, the truths,
and the history which belongs to the
hatioh that sels ~ ioe.n. ..
o,,or;o,,s tissnas Of orr co,1ntru,s fac
about our heart strings, and looking upon
our homes, and catching the spirit that
preathes upon US Iioli .ne pa''le e1 1lelus
r,,ooI or WOO ,,7o will in life and in daatb
now and forever. stand by the stars and
stripes.
In remembrance .! tlle soluiels Hlow
in that beautiful emblem. soThat as long
as green grass shall cover his grave,
blue skies bend over it, or sweet birds
sing near ~ INA. place shail o e, lailoweo
fainar thor +bo sL;as sweatar than +he
birds, and more hallowed than the grave
itself, will be his fragrant memory en-
shrlnea, anu preserxeu loreVer III 9ur
aoain I hid Won Welcome ->'S0
M n
ruaa,. - No,,h,ua. 49, avn 10 ..;'ca ~
> ..:.l. o. M NJ - ~ w
1900 ~ ..oot;no ,,,;+h - 49, WI,
obosoa uo,,,o,l.s and oo,,ad 49, 49, so.s
tams 49, eas,os a..t.aat 49, ~.
~, r1S.4, Co.. IN opl.lA
Curtis of Kansas, referred to by Com
rade A. E. Nickerson, who compared it
with the votes against the Sherwood
pension bill by the two Maine Senators.
Senator Curtis said he was in favor of
giving the union soldiers the most liberal
pensions possible and was opposed to
measuring their services in dollars and
cents. He said he was opposed to the
substitute offered by Senator Smoot. be-
cause it was not sufficient to meet the
demands of the veterans. "This great,
rich country he continued, "can well
afford to support the men who fought
the battles which saved the union. We
should pass the bill in justice to the
survivors of that wonderful army. They
did not count the cost. When President
Lincoln called, they simply answered,
I'VE are coming, Father Abraham, three
L