The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-12-18

looking down on my right, as tar as eye
could see, lay the vast camp of what had
been the armies of the North and South,
but was then the great Peace army of
the world. l thought what a splendid
thing it was that had brought you to-
gether there. There was much to for
give on both sides. The South had the
greater personal injury, for you left
your homes and families secure from
harm, while they, though sharing alike
with you the horrors and sufferings of
war, also endured the agony of not know
ing at what moment their homes might
be burned, their loved ones in the hands
of the enemy, or even killed, and at the
close, a land that had for generations
been the center of culture and refine
ment, teemlng with wealth and pros
perity, lay a desolate waste, its fair
/ fields blood drenched and backened by
the ashes of countless stately homes,
and sloughed from end to end by the
mutitudes that had tramped there But
Win udulllISSo tOul liSN Uutll lIO III
that almost hopeless ruin what is toda y
tairer and more beautiful southland
than was laid low, and after 50 years
they could come to you at Gettysburg
the scene of their greatest defeat, and
say, eve are here to prove to you that
there is naught but peace and good will
/ hoe ri hot ha
/ for which you fought was right, and we
are glad you won and that it was to a
foe so worthy and generous that, at
last, We were forced to surrender our
swords" and you, though you realized
that the South forced cruel and IN
necessary rebellion; that the victory you
had won had been costly beyond price,
making desolate many home, you
met them there, extending hands of fell
lowship and love and acknowledged the
heroism, bravery and nobility of the foe
with whom you had closed in a death
"boasting, seemed the highest proof of
your manhood. and the most perfect ex-
ample of Peace on earth; rood will
toward men," A few days ago we OBJ
served throughout our country our ma
tional day of Thanksgiving, as establish
ed by our Pilgrim forefathers in recog
milton of the blessings which had crown
ed their work, when leaving all the Y
held dear in associations they crossed
the trackless ocean to dwell in wild
and unknown land, teeming with savage
life, that they might in freedom and
peace worship God according to the die
tates Of their own hearts; and thus
founded, under the special guidance of
God Himself, nation which He has
wonderfully prospered, preserved and
blessed unto US to the present day.
But, it is because Of you, and men like
you, that we enjoy these wonderful con-
ditions of peace and prosperity. We
dare not think of what would be the
present turmoil of our country had not
you, when she stood at the parting of
her ways. at the yielding of life blood it.
self, preserved in all the strength and
beauty Of its fouNdation a nation which
today leads the world III power pros
perity and righteousness.
Comrades, it seems trite to speak
words OF welcome to you, so worthy of
the best we can give, and we feel honor
ed indeed in having you in our midst.
If you feel this to be day well spent;
life richer and better because of its ex-
periences, we shall feel that our efforts
have been truly blessed, and we hope to
gather with you again .many times, in
the years to come