Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-31

day, which chiefly consisted in appro-
pirate and impressive Memorial eXer-
cises in commemora ton of the patriot
dead, under the auspices of Gen. G. W.
T.lden Camp No. 63. Sons OF Veterans.
was held Thursday morning with a fine
parade. The procession formed on Wa
ter street at $50 O'Clock and marched
10 the cemetery in the following order:
Hallowell police: c. X. Tilden, marshal |;
Dennis Band; Steamer Co. No. and
board of engineers; Gen. c. w. Tilden
Camp No. 63. s. of v. eX-soldiers in
carriages; carriage with flowers: Major
! Robinson. Aldermen Randall and Read :
in carriages; school children under
leadership of Dana c. Skillin. A SER
vice nag bearing four stars was dis
played by Steamer Co. No. for the
four members now in the United States
service, these being Walter Niles. Maui
rice Sands. Harold Jordan and George
Nickery.
Exercises at the Soldiers monl-
ment. were as follows: Singing, school
children: prayer. Rev. c. 9. Perry;
music, Dennis Band; Grafton, Hon.
Fred Emery Beane: singing, school
children; reading Lincolns Gettys-
burg address. {. X. Tilden; music,
Band: benediction, Rev. A. {. Town
send; decoration of graves. After the
exercises at the cemetery the pro-
cession reformed and marched by
way Of North and Second streets %
City hall. where il was dismissed
Following is the Grafton delivered ny
Hon. Fred Emery Beane:
Mr.. President, Soldiers of Former wars.
Sons of Veterans, Members of the Re
lief Corps, Citizens of Hallowell
For almost 20 years we have common
grated this day. We have visited the
cemeteries where our loved ones are
shaping. We have decorated the graves
with the garland and the lilac, and
above each we have placed the Stars
and Stripes SO that the flag which they
fought under and which they loved so
well maye be near them even in death.
For almost half a century on each
succeeding year we have spoken of the
brave acts of the veterans of the Civil
war, their sacrifices, their duties per-
formed and the wonderful results from
their wonderful WORKS, ard from all
this we have drawn lessons of patriot
ism. lessons of profit. We have hoped
and we have PRAYED that war would
would be added to the honor list. from
sacrifices brought on by war. and vet
at this moment, after 1900 years of civ
iIization and christianity. We are in the
midst of the most horrible conflict Of
all time
You few old soldiers of the war of 81
who now remain should be proud u
having taken so great part III your
countrys history, and while YOUR indi-
vidual acts are not recorded upon histor-
ic pages we all realize that the com
bined whole made that history possible ::
which is the glory of the present gem
Grafton and will be the pride and Won
derment of ages to come"
With you. all the friends of those who
have gone before into that greater and
better world. where no war comes,
should now glory in the sadness and
sorrow. in the pain and anguish. which
fielled all hearts and souls in those un-
i happy moments when the very existence
of nation was at stake. Your loss is
YOUR glory of today Your sadness then
is Your JOY of this time.
You who remained at home know that
YOUR sacrifices, your tears. Your heart
breaks, Your weary longing for the
father. husband and a hoy who never re-
! turned, have ali been conseCrated to that
which is grander and higher than hui
/ man life. mightier and stronger than
human love: consecrated and dedicate |
to the life of a republic; to the love Of
a country.
This day is set apart III commemora-
ton of those deeds and acts. those sac
rifces to which | have referred. and
while We bring tokens of love and re-
spect and while we hang the wreath Of
green upon the marble slab and while
we cover the grave of our dead with
sweet and beautiful flowers at this time.
the thought is impressed upon US that
the sacrifices which we must now meet.
the heart breaks which must come into
our very homes, the throbs and aches
and pains connected with the present
struggle. apply with more potential
force TO the living. and to our minds
and thought is keener and sharper than
those of the past and could our friends
who now lie in this beautiful cemetery
speak to us from their resting place
they would demand that our thought be
given more to the living and the pres.
ent than to the dead and the past. The
words We speak and the songs we sin:
and the music we hear a this time ca
not reach the ca RS OF our fallen heroes
therefore ! believe that the word:
spoken at this time should not be a re
hearsal of battle scenes. of strife ans
turmoil which still may stir the passion
Of the northern hearts or discussion
Of the causes which created all thcs:
and which might tend all too strongly
10 keep the fire of enmity once burning
between the North and South alive. Tht
time came long ago when the petit,
prejudices. bitter thoughts and ill feel
ings existing should have been don,
away with. The present time enforce
this thought. Twenty years ago in tn,
only other memorial address I ever CAV,
in this city | said: God forbid tina
war shall ever come to this country
again; but should it come, the sam,
blood that made Your hearts brave will
flow through the veins of your descend
ants and, united with the brothers o
the South. an army of the brayest NOR