The Republican journal., 1915-02-11
Waldo County Veterans

Hold Their February Meeting at E,lli,o
woods Corner, Winterport. Col. Wi.
liams, Confederate Veteran, was ths
Guest of Honor.
The Waldo County Veteran association held
It's February meeting with the good p.onle y,
Ellingwoods Corner. Feb. 4th. 1t was a cola
crisp morning. but with the good TRAVELLING
there was large attendance and the meeting
was very enjoyable one In the absence q.
President Crockett, the Secretary, Alfred St;n.
son of North Searsport, called the meeting tn
order and presided at the forenoon session
He appointed Mrs. A. S. Butterfield secretary
pro tenn. The records of the last meeting were
read and accepted. An invitation from Thomas
d. Marshall Post to hold the March meeting
in Belfast was read and the invitation was ac-
cepted. The names of comrades who had
passed away since the last meeting were re.
ported as follows: Charles Warren of Monroe
W. Fred Ellis of Stockton Of the End Mains.
Frank Furbush of Clinton, of the 18th Maine
and Freeman Roberts of Belfast of the 4th
Maine.
No other business coming before the meet
ing recess was taken for dinner and fine
repast was served to about one hundred by the
good people of Elingwoods Corner. After
dinner the cigars were passed and the bows
enjoyed their usual smoke talk.
The afternoon meeting was called to order
with Past President Stinson in the chair and
the following program was given: PRAYER bv
Rev. Charles Ellingwood; address of welcome
Mrs. A. j. Edwards; response, Comrade d. M
Spencer; solo. Elmira Whittier; defamation
Mrs. Ellsworth; history of the Star Spangled
Banner, with vocal solo, Mrs, Eliza Clements.
Col. Charles E. Williams of Bangor, who com.
manded the First Virginia Confederate cavalry
during the war, was then introduced and spoka
in part, as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Veterans of Waldo county
Ladies and Gentlemen: This occasion is On q
for which | entertain loyal respect and SINGER a
appreciation.
Being invited to address body of Union
Veterans deem an especial honor-a distinc-
tive privilege as l recall the fact that
there was time when adverse opinion and
sectional bitterness would have precluded such
coElpanlonship as am confident exists todav
From 1861 to 1865. the annals of our nation
al history perpetuates epoch in the affairs
OF the American union which shall abide so
long as this splendid republic stands to lure
the stars of freedom and progress to the ze-
NTH OF human accomplishment and glory
Inc struggle between the sections, aggra-
vated by mlsconception of constitutional law.
by misrepresentation and social misupder-
standlng-proved itself to be blessing in dis
guise from which both factions reaped a bene-
fit
The crucible of fire through which we pass
ed made US all nationally akin and purged us
threatened to destroy the bulwarks of our ma. =.
tional existence
Every section of our reunited country real
ICES today that the guiding hand of DESTINY
shaped the end of that desperate encounter
and brought out of it's chaos of death and de-
struction a nation which ranks the highest in
enlightenment, in power and in peaceful pros-
perity of any on the face of the EARTH
The sequel to that disaster of half a century
ago beams with lustrous splendor which il
Eliminates the universe and foreshadows a
millennium of greatness unknown since the
dawn of human creation,
1t is not my providence. however to paint a
picture OF what these reunited States may yet
become; only to eulogize those of the past who
were instrumental in the guidance of the Ship
of State over the billowy discordant seas of
prejudice and disaffection.
am here to recall personal recollections of
the war and add my need of praise for those
who participated in its narrowing ordeals-
martyrs to their environments and convictions
of duty.
1t was my fortune to have been born and
reared in the South and imbued with loyalty
to the land of my birth, equaled only by your
fealty to the North the home of your nativ-
ity.
Are you surprised that wore the Gray?
The address of Col. Williams was listened to
with marked attention and interest. He vas
born and raised in the South and when the war
broke out was student in military academy
He enlisted at once and at the age of 18 was
commissioned lieutenant. He served through
the war surrendering at Appomatox as COM
mander of his regiment, and is now II years of
age. He came to Maine at the close of the
war and for time taught school in Rockland,
but for many years his home has been in Ban
gor. He was one of the authors of "The Blue
and the Gray and has written a number of
other books. including prose and poetry on the
war. Here is recent poem:
THE VETERANS.
Their tott' ring ranks are thinning fast,
The veterans-"Blue and Cray
And when few short years have passed
Each will be laid away.
The bugle's note no morell enthrall,
Nor drum-beats fire their soul;
In silent rest shall slumber all
Till God shall call the roll.
They felt the voice of duty call
Each deemed his cause was just
And marched like men to stand or fall
For those who held their trust
They fought like men in days gone by;
No craven hearts were there;
True manhood made them do or die
For heroes brave they were.
Let youthful hands their burdens share,
Each care worn frame protect;
With tender words and loving care
Their path in life select.
Let each one strive to make their lot
In life's fast fading eve,
In mansion grand or humble cot
So blest that none may grieve.
They loved their cause. their God, their home,
Nor fought and bled in vain;
And when the end at last shall come
May each one live again.
May they behold the pearly gates
With portals spread aJar,