Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-31
Grams: address, James W. White; music,
Aupnzta Cadet band.

Grams: address, James W. White; music
Augusta Cadet band
At the conclusion of the exercise at
the monument the post and camp re-
formed and marched to the Penney Me
mortal church. while the rest Of the COL
umn was dismissed. Exercises were
held at 3 O'Clock, Mayor Willis r. Swift
presiding, and were as follows
star Spangled Banner" Augusta Ca
Diet band; invocation, Rev G. L. Booth
by "Reminiscences of 81, Augusta
Cadet band; reading of orders and Lin
coins Gettysburg address, Adjutant
McDavid "Tenting Tonight on the Old
Campground, Augusta Cadet band /:
Grafton. Rev. William II. Wood {:
America band and audience; bene-
diction, Rev. c. d. Boothby.
Grafton by Rev. William r. Wood
Rev. William r. Woods Grafton was
an able effort and wa: delivered in a
way that held the close attention of his
audience to the end. He spoke as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Chairman, Veterans, Ladies and
We are assembled here in obedience
to custom that has been established
TOR half a century to commemorate
certain events which patriotism for
bids us to forget.
On this day, by legislative enact
ment in all but nine of the States and
Territories of the Republic, the busy
world of industry is hushed; the fac
tory gates are shut; the banks and
stores draw their curtains; the school
room is closed and myriad offices are
vacated; while our people, young and
old, are summoned to the nation
shrine; there to llndle anew the fires
on the altar of patriotism and to re-
new their conservation to the cause
for Which patriots, from Lexington to
the river Aisne gave the last full
measure of devotion.
There is q legend among the dwell
ers on the Rhine that on one night in
every year, when the moon is at its
fun, the spirit Of Charemange, the
heroic king of the Franks, energies
from his tomb and again visits the
scenes of his mighty deeds on earth
When the moonlight falls athwart
that noble river and filings from bank
to bank a bridge of light. the monarch
who has been dead more than 1909
years appears and walks upon that
bridge of moonbeams calling down q
benedictiOn on all the land he hlesses
the earth, the cornfields, the cities, the
towns, the hamIets: he blesses them
all; all the sleeping people. Md
when his loving message is ended
softly and silently he returns TO his
resting-place in AiXlachappelle.
1t seems to me that this thirtietf
day of May is our Enchanted Day;
and that on this day of sacred me-
mories the wise, gentle. indomitable
spirit of Abraham Lincoln walks
abroad throughout the length and
breadth Of the Republic. From the
granite ramparts of our New England
coast to the sunset glory of the Gold
en- Gate. in hundreds Of cities and
thousands Of villages where Ameri-
cans meet to honor the memory Of
our dead heroes and patriots, and tc
recall an epoch Of titanic struggle and
heroic sacrifice. there. again today
are recited and deathless words 81
this "Rail-spltter" who was.
Erich in common sense.
And as The greatest only are
In his simplicity sublime.
Who never sold the truth 70 serve the
hour.
Nor paltered with Eternal God for
power;
Whole life was work, whose language
rife
With rugged maXims hewn from life:
Who never spake against a foe.
Let his great example stand
Colossal, seen IN every land
Till III all lands and through alt human
story
The path Of duty he the way to glory"
1t is not an occasion of felicitatior
and rejoicing that brings us together
at this time a dark shadow hoyers
over this day; it is the shadow Of ir-
rcparablc loss; it is the shadow OF
one of the greatest and most appall-
ing wars Of all time; il is the shadow
of that awful night when for almost
20 months death held high carnival
in the land.
The memories of this day are tragic
memories: they recall d period OF
great suffering and of supreme Sacri-
fee These reCOllectiOnS help to keep