Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-05-31
MEMORIAL DAY.
Continued from Page Eleven.)


which completes the buiwark. Out
side the wind may howl and the an
CRY sea lash itself into a seething rage,
but within the new-made harbor al
is calm and safe. So in the great
conflicts of the world we may see
men go down TO death: we may read
of countless deeds of heroism, of
sacrifice and loyalty, and if we judge
too hastily or stand too close to the
scene of action, We may be tempted
10 wonder what resulting good VIII
come of ii all. But later We see the
good and the human heart proves its
gratitude and its faith in the days OF
remembrance.
So now we are here to- commemor-
ate our great and sacred day Of me-
mortal 1t is pot :an, easy. service 70
render. Memorial, day is the tender
est of all our public days. for it
touches upon the most intimate, and
sensitive chords of our human nature.
1t is sad because of the loss and pain
the day recails-sacred because of its
memories of heroism and self sacri-
. llce-dnu BIdQ, UtCduSt VI IFS lt-S9oAie
of the strength and endurance of hui.
man hearts .in the times that tried
mems souls
Ii is not a day to be honored with
riot and noise, like a bacchanalian
festival. but quiet day of glad re-
membrance, when all good citizens
should in speech and in action, pro
claim the fact, that Memorial day is
fast of loving memory, not feast
of meaningless carnival. Though we
had all power and all eloquence yet
we should be unable to adequately set
forth in human speech, all that this
day treasurers. 1t is not within the
range of human achievement Behind.
all the outward symbolism and cere-
mony, expressive of the days deep
mea ming, there Is that never to be for
gotten but inexpressible volume of
feeling, which rises IRON nuunmbered
hearts, who had part. direct or indi-
rect. in the great Civil War. That no
pen is so facile as to record, or human
voice able to speak. for no human
mind, wonderful as its powers some
times are, could ever measure its
true intensity.
Yet If we may not do all. let us do
what we can. Cannot the spirit of the |
commemorative genius Of Isreal show |
us the way? That bids us remember
the past. This day shall be as a
memorial" as n remembrance of our
soldier and sailor dead, and of that
great Jehovah, God of Isreal. $500
years ago. God of Battle and of
Peace. God of our land in this day and
hour. Can we do more or better?
Look back. If you please, over the
worlds history and find the nation Ii
you can. that has ever progressed or
held its own which did not rest solid
ly upon these two Fundamental
planks; the tradition of it's honorable
past. its faith in the ultimate power
of righteousness. We may not have
the same political ideas; we may not
all agree upon definition of the God
we worship: but we must all of US
have sense of reverence for the
heroes of the struggles that have made
us what we are as a nation, and of
that spiritual power, which has kept
men true and heartened the devotion
of countless women.
1t is sometimes easy for nation
liiQl IittS iOL6 lltCu III prosperity ahb
peace, to grow weak and soft in its
more vital characteristics and to for
get or think lightly OF the sterner days
which. while they tried mems hearts,
yet strengthened their endurance and
stiffened the moral will. To forget
what we owe as nation to our great
martyr Abraham Lincoln and his
splendid host of boys in blue" who
preserved the nation in the face. OF
desperate odds, would stamp US not
only with the curse Of ingratitude but
would also be tantamount to our ac-
acknowledgements, that the spirit of yreal
patriotism was losing ground before
the advance Of pernicious egotism
The nation is not machine to be con.
trolled by the few as they see fit, bu,