Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-26
recruited the Grand Arruy of the

recruited the Grand ARMY of the
Hepubhc.
Now what Gid this arVy do, that
It's memory should be cherished tor
ever in Americas heart"
First. II abolished sia avery forever
IN American soil; and III doing this
II advanced the cause Of human lib
erfy n wide worid over
And this army saved the Union.
These men made il possible for Chief
Justice Chase 10 say thai The Con
stitutiOn locke to an in-destrucrable
union Of In-desLructabie states" Yes.
These saved the Cniun-union which
had persisted
But for the courage winch tne- deeds
No stripes were taken erom me flag che4
Cherished.
No [ wal biotted from lis azure
tleiG."
In sHvinC the Union during the
Grand ARM saved The world dur
ing n q-uadreunluEa from 1914 to
1918. Had II not been for the none.
material. and me provided by this
united Republic. Erown to be the
richest I mos powerful nation on
earth. there IS every reason to be-
Aeve mai The world today would
nave been at the mercy of q viCL0rl-
u military despotlsrn thai was
made n Germany and calculated u
bring all mankind into subsection 70
mailed fist OF a r1erciiess Hun.
Once each wear, on the Both day Of
May, h swiftly decreasing EN-
mani Of this Grand Army of the Re-
public invite the younger generation
10 walk with them as they go 10
scatter flowers q The -aves OF their
comrades. ! think i DehoCves US
gratefully 10 accept their invitation,
and putting asiue al work and play.
10 accompany these aged veterans 70
the nation shrine-a soldier s
gTave-anG there dedicate ourselves
to the holy task Of completing the
building OF q Republic thai sla4l
perfectly enbeCy the highest ideals
IF true patriotism and Of Christian
decentralization. As Elisha chung
10 the comparlonstip Of Elijah 70
the very border-Iand Of life, SO let Is
CHERISH a closer ASSOCIATION Win
these who wore me blue Uniform Cf
answering loyalty TO the Unlou II
those 6ays that tried men souls.
II. Elisha request is an appro-
pirate prayer for this generation II
the presence Of these veterans VINO
viii soor be taken from US.
Elijah wrought a noble work IN his
life time. lie faced tremendous odds.
lie attacked. single-handec, en-
ti.ronec inIquITy- with heroic or
age ne took risks ~ the
sake Of Righteousness. and i peril Of
ms life ne -iEn-ed many wrongs.
But Elisha had Il face new issues
that called for no les courage a1d
devotion; and 50 he asked thai q
double portion Of the spirit thai was
in Elijah might De upon MIN. Thus
would ne he endowed and equipped
Tor the unfinished task lef. for Elm
70 carry on.
These rey-nalreG men gave a good
coU Of themselves more than q
ha.f i century ago. They met The
supreme crisis il OUT national history
with are devotion and sublime hero
lsua. They performed q aervlce ina.
made The Republic their debtc~ for
ever. They exenpIilec Inc hjghes.
p~atrioJlarn. humanity n valor.
They saved the Union: and they are
leaving X for US to make the United
STATES Of America glorious thar
Pla1os dream of an IDEAL Republic.
or than Augustine's vision of The
City Of God.
Our problems differ from those
which they faced fifty ear ago. bu!
I doubt # they are any less difficult
In order TO administer faithfully the
trust committed 70 US by those who
are passing away from US. We mus
have ne same spirit Of patriotism,
courage and self-sacrifice thai made
them victorious. This is the spirit
that sent their Etaiwart grandson
acrose The sea. a short time ago, &c
answer the cry for help from thos<
who we're ready to perish HI the
hands If German iends. This Is the
spirit clothed in olive drab, thai
came singing and laughing unde,
/ Old Glory along he road to Chat
eau Thiarry last July TO strike q
blow that smashed ~autocrncy, at the
very when Its Dragon claws
ware stretched out 70 srrangle the
world. Let us be possessed Of this
spirit and we shall work out every
problem given US to solve.
III. Elisha's conduct IL a PROFIT
able example for us.
He lanented the departure Of Eli.
iah and honored him by remembering
his achievements. When the pro-
oher vas taken away Wi OF his
sight. ne cried. My father. Ny
! father, The chariot Of Israel and tbs
horsemen thereof" Now, the CHAIR
! OTIS and were Isrenlis de.
fense in q and the means ~
their C IN war. But the young
ma knew that Elijah had been the
main defender Of Israel, and he nAc
rne grace to acknowledge II.
A sublime parhos attaches to the
simple ceremonies Of u Nemoria
/ Dav. when the few remaining mem
bers of ,he Grand Army Gritty
wreathes 70 deck the graves OF thei'
comrades. There is surely something
wrong with us. if we can view tnit
SCENE with urnoved heart
"A debt we ne'er can pay
To them is Justly due.
-. .hi,d~,p' e chiidren HsiO should nay,