The Republican journal., 1914-02-19
The Veterans Meeting.

day was veterans day, and an ideal winter day
it was, with the best of travelling, and the vet
Grams and their friends were out in large num-
bers for the second meeting of the year. The
meeting was called to order by the Secretary,
A. Stin on, and the regular routine OF business
taken up. The committee on time and place
was appointed as follows: Comrades Merrill
Clark and Palmer. One death was reported,
Alonzo F. Batchelder OF Monroe. Co. G, 18th
Maine Regt. A. E. Nickerson of Swanville
who was unable to be present at the meeting.
sent greetings After remarks by johnson,
Trask and F. M. Nickerson and stories by
Comrade Merrill. recess was declared for
dinner. Mrs. W. T. Hall presided at the piano
and one hundred and fifty veterans and their
friends marched to the dining hall. where the
sisters of Granite Grange had tables well
laden with good things to lessen the appetite.
The afternoon session was called to order by
the President, S. J. Crockett, prayer was Of
fered by Comrade Merrill and the committee
on time and place reported as follows: place
of next meeting, Belfast; time, March 5th.
Thirty three veterans responded to the roll
call, the audience sang "America." and Eliza
Matthews welcomed the veterans as follows:
Mr. President, Comrades and Friends: An
other year has rolled around and it is with
pleasure and gladness in our hearts that bid
YOU welcome. 1t is indeed great privilege
to have you meet with US and pass few hours
our friendships and reviving remi-
niscences of the past We hope you will all
be able to be with US for several years to come.
ho kS ua mi
the comrades who have been here from time
to time and we cannot help but feel that every
meeting is precious. In this world of today
so much transpires in a single year we can but
look back upon the several wars, each in turn
as events that are but landmarks, but they
are the great landmarks that mean more to
our country than almost anything else.
When the comrades have departed.
When the veterans are no more,
When the bugle call is sounded
On that everlasting shore.
When life's weary march is ended,
When the campfires slumber long,
Who will tell the world the story
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
Who will tell about the marching
"From Atlanta to the sea-"
Who will halt and wait and listen,
When they hear the reveille,
Who will Join to swell the chorus
OF some old Grand Army song,
Who will tell the world the story
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
Who will talk of Appomattox
And the glory that they won,
When defeat was on their banners,
Who will tell about Bull Run,
What in prison pen they suffered,
How they watched and waited long,
Who will tell the world the story,
Who will tell about enlisting
Of three hundred thousand more,
How they rallied Ground the flag
How they sent it to the fore.
How they crushed that horde of traitors,
How they fought against the wrong.
Who will tell the world the story
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
Who will t I'll of Abraham Lincoln
When he held the wheel of State,
Who will rise to act his greatness
AS the chief among the great,
Who will tell of Gran; and Sherman,
And that patriotic throng,
Who will tell the world the story,
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
Will our children's children tell it,
Will they tell about the foe
That their grandsires met in battle,
Fought so many years ago,
Will they cherish dear "Old Glory,
Will they learn to love it long,
Who will tell the world the story
When the Boys in Blue" are gone.
We must tell the story, sisters,
Just as long as life is spared.
We must never be unmindful
What the soldiers did and dared.
We must hold aloft that banner
For its splendid laurels won
We must tell the story, sisters,
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
Sons and daughters of this nation,
You must tell of triumphs won
When on earth our work is ended
And the veteran claims his own.
You must cherish dear "Od Glory"
And its teachings pass along,
You must tell the world the story
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
By that flag, "Our Country's Emblem"
You must pledge allegiance new
To its glorious, splendid mission,
May your hearts beat ever true.
That the nation'll be protected
'Gainst injustice and all wrong,
You must tell the world the story
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
You must keep each star unblemished,
And its stripes without stain,
You must take the veterans places,
And repeat their Roll of Fame.
You must keep our country's honor,
And the flag above the wrong,
We will trust you with the story
When the "Boys in Blue" are gone.
And now in behalf of the grange and com.
munity bid you welcome.
Comrade Isaac Cook Of Monroe responded
in his usual witty manner. Then followed tht
song, "Tenting tonight on the old camp
ground, by the choir. remarks by johnson
Trask, a letter from W. A. Curtis Of Vernon
was read, and a poem composed by the sam'
gentleman after reading the life of Abraham
Lincoln was read by F. M. Nickerson, re
marks by Comrade Jones and Comrade An