New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-04-14

with Major Merwin was of brief du-
ration. I did not meet him until the
fall of 1916 during researches in
connection with the life of Abraham
Lincoln. In October last I called on
him at his home in Brooklyn and be-
gan an acquaintance which though
brief was one of very great inspira-
ton to me. It is quite likely that
many of you are more familiar with
the life of Major Merwin than is the
speaker, but if there are any that do
not know of his record and services,
I am sure that 1t is fitting at this
time to review them.
'On the way up from New York
this morning I was impressed with
the sight OF the American flag. 1t
| seems to be fiuttering everywhere in
the breezes from public buildings,
stores, manufacturing establishments,
| school houses, banks and private res
| licences. 1t seemed to me that It
never looked 80 beautiful before. With
i the imminence Of war, and the prob
ability that the United States will be
! seriously involved, although I am
| firmly Of the belief not disastrously
| involved, in the maintenance Of It's
honor and rights. 1t seemed to me
| this morning that the flag must be
dearer to every American than It was
| before. And as looked at the flag
today 1 thought OF the Civil War vet
! Grams who would be at this service.
and Of what the flag means to them.
| If there could be such a thing as
fee ownership to liberty and freedom
it seems to me that It would vest
more truly in the veterans Of the
| Civil War than In anybody else in
our nation. For I recall that had It
| not been for men like you who Of
fered their bodies for living sacri-
flee on the altar Of freedom. we might
not be united nation today. Az a
result of that conflict for the MAIN
tenance Of democracy and freedom In
the great alaveholders' rebellion we
have united nation with one flag
flying from the easternmest point Of
Maine to the mouth Of the Columbia
river ana from the northern boundary
Of Minnesota clear to the Gulf. with
| one sentiment of patriotism actuattng
every true American.
| Met Lincoln OFTEN.
Major j. b. .Mefwin bore q most
honorable part In the sreat struggle.
He knew Abraham tAneoln continu-
ouslv frem 1884 until the end OF the
great emaneipatof's life The begin
| ming OF his association with Lincoln
| II most interesting. Early In tho sos
| Maiea Merwin was engaged In tenn
peran nee reform work in the state OF
| Connecticut ana relieving meeting
at which he Waa speaker a resident
| of Illinois who wes present persuaded
| him to 40 to tlitneis and inauguratc
| u campaign for the prohibition Of the
| liquor traffic III that state, the cam
| paign to be conducted on the lines OF
! the campaign In Maine and the one
later in Connecticut. Major Merwin
went to Springfield. and made an ad-
/ dress In the legislative chamber at
| the state capitol. When he had fin
| tshed there were calls for Lincoln.
Lincoln Then it was for the first
time that Major Merwin met the man
who soon afterward was to leave
| mighty impression on American his
tory and on the history of civilization.
Lincoln made a stirring appeal for
| temperance reform. Major Merwin
| was introduced to him at that time
and accompanied him home. Until
daylight the next morning the two
men discussed the desirability Of the
Maine prohibition law and laid tenta-
tive plans for the campaign which was
to follow. Major Merwin told me
that in the campaign organized at that
| time, running through to the fall of
1855. that Abraham Lincoln made
from 80 to so speeches visiting every
| town Of consequence in the state.
That the people were greatly aroused
| is shown by the record that prohibi-