The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-05-08
MEETING OF WALDO COUNTY
VETERANS.

Inc May meeting OF the Waldo County Vet
eran Association held, by invitation, in
Frederick Ritchie Grange hall. Waldo. 1t was
hne day and there was a large gathering of
the old veterans Pre- sident Crockett presided
at the morning session. The records of the
last meeting were read and accepted 1t was
voted to hold the next meeting in Honesty
Grange hall, Morrill,, by invitation, June 5th;
if stormy, the next fair day. One comrade
was reported as having died since the last
meeting. Nathan Siggins of the regular army.
Remarks were made by Comrades Trask, Stin-
son and others and recess was then declared
for dinner, and about 40 veterans were seated
at the bountifully supplied tables
After the usual smoke talk, President Crock
ett called the afternoon meeting to order, and
it was opened with prayer by Chaplain Nicker-
son. followed by singing America" Mrs.
Ruth L. Paul then delivered the following ad-
dress Of welcome. and the association voted to
have it printed:
Veterans of the Waldo County Association,
and friends: In behalf of Frederick Richie
Grange bid you welcome. We are glad to
have you with US today. We anticipate a
very pleasant meeting with you. And we
think it will be meeting of profit as we'll as
pleasure
AS we look about US in these days of peace,
we see only great and prosperous nation of
busy, happy people. And me.imes we
almost forget that once a great Civil Var
ragged in the land; that brother fought against
brother, and union was nearly rent in
twain. We almost forget the heroes who
! sprang to arms and gave back to us this glori-
GUS union as We see it now. But when we
meet, as today, with you few surviving heroes
we remember it all. And we feel that it is
good for to remember. Our own Maine
poet, Holman F. Day, SO truly says:
There's woe for the selfish nation that
sights its patriot
There's woe for the land where noble deeds
scornfully forgot
Then there are children here with US to
whom the history of the Civil War, as read in
their schoolbooks, has seemed of but trifng
interest. But as they sit here in your midst
today that history will take on a new signifi.
gance. When you recount to them, tales of
those deeds of valor, those days of battles a.
marches, of privations and suffering which
you when mere boys experienced all for your
country and your flag, you are tanning the
flame of patriotism in their breasts, you are
awakening that love of country which if duty
| cd'lS, Will SeHu tneIn 10 the front, ready and
willing to give their lives, if need be, even as
you went, when our union was threatened and
our flag insuted.
Some of US here, who are sons or daughters
of veterans, realize what it means to have the
privilege of listening to those tales. To see
the dim eye kindle and the bent form straight
en- at the thought Of those days. For we have
seen and heard, and we have felt the blood
quicken in our veins, we have felt that thrill
of patriotism in our hearts; yes, almost like
that which thrilled the hearts of you boys of
81 when the bugle sounded and duty called to
arms. And we cannot but realize the influence
O. these meetings.
| land SO we want you here today, to tell again
those tales to fill our hearts with pride for our
country and our country's heroes.
We pray that never again will the dark war
cloud gather above our peaceful nation. That
never again will it be called upon to give its
noblest and best, las in those Gays of the COS but
if the call ever does come, we pray for the cour-
age to go, even as you went, and barred your
boyish breasts to those rebel bullets in those
terrible days of the rebellion. And. veterans,
we feel that nothing can SO inspire with that
courage and patriotism as meetings like this
one.
So you see that you are welcome here today.
You see why the members of Frederick Richie
grange want me to tell you SO. And hope !
have been able to make you feel that you are
welcome. And now. finally, bid you welcome,
welcome, thrice welcome.
The response was by Comrade Trask of New
burg Then followed music and singing by
the choir; reading. Mrs. Storer; remarks by
Comrades James Fisher, Stinson and Nicker-
son; song by Mrs. Storer. who was encored; re-
marks by President Crockett, Comrade Hard
ing. T. c. Smart and Joseph Ellis.
rising vote of thanks was extended to all
| yhnh hol ha1v To nlxn
our best. Voted that the members of Freder-
ick Ritchie Grange be accepted as honorary
members. After remarks by Mr.. Levanseller
the meeting closed with singing "God be With
you till we Meet Again."--A. Stinson, Sec'y.