The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1920-02-26

One of the most patriotic as well
as impressive affairs ever held in
Skowhegan occurred in the Opera
House last Sunday afternoon when
Memorial certificates from the Re
public of France to the next of kin,
were presented the relatives of the
SkoHhegan men who gave their lives
fer Liberty in the World War In
the absence of Capt John w Healy
who was i'll. the opening remarks
were offered by Col. Roy L. Marston
who presided. Prayer was offered
by Rev George Merriam of the Be
thany Baptist Church and music was
furnished by ST Cecilia Orchestra of
the Catholic Parish. Miss Pauline
Eaton Oak, read with rare talent and
grace Edwin Markham's Poem,
France in Battle Flame" and the
roll of honor was read by Col. Mars
ton. The address of the afternoon
was delivered by Rev. J. Louis A. Re-
maud of the parish of Our Lady of
Lourdes (Catholic) in a most efficient
and scholarly manner. He appeared
in place of Associate Justice Charles
]. Dunn of Supreme Court who was
to closely occupied with court mat
ters to appear in an address at that
time
F'r Renaud said
ut seems most fitting to me that
your fellow townsmen should have
made choice for the most impressive
and deeply significant ceremonies of
ho nf onrtifaotac nf hn-
nor to the relatives of Men who have
made the supreme sacrifice on the
sunny shores of France-in the cause
of liberty and democracy and of the
natal day of the man who, among
millions that have been blessed by
the finding OF this new hemisphere,
stands first and highest in the esteem
of the civilized world, Geo. Washing
ton. the most honored of all Americans
father of his country and the found
er of the greatest Republic of the
world. To sketch with a few bold
strokes Washington's noble charact-
er, a more slilful hand than mine
would be required. To give you an
adequate word picture of him to whom
all bow in admiration. would require
a tongue and lips more eloquent than
mine, but who can escape the spell
of his integrity, his moderation, his
pure motives and unselfsh patrio-
tsm? 1t was these rare traits which
Won for him universal confidence, and
so he took his place in the national
life as a kind of living commentary
Of the great principles and Ideals OF
the American Revolution. It was his
influence, his urgings, his solid falth
which secured the ratification OF the
Constitution. 1t has been well ana
truly said that Washington eXempll-
fed in his character in a singular de-
gree that basic feature of true great
ness-humility. When named com
mander-in- chief of the armed forces
of the united colonies, he protested
his unftness most strongly. Humili-
ty was the foundation of his great
ness The enemies he met among
his own countrymen, their adverse
criticisms. the poverty of the colonies,
the Triste Notte of Valley Forge, and
not the least the treason of Arnold,
would have broken the spirit OF
proud man, but these trials only
schooled him and completed his train
ing for the responsibility as head OF
the army and in spite of his own low
estimate of his abilities he proved
himself a great general.
"Washingtons success is matter
of familiar history. He quieted and
directed for two decades all the ele-
ment of American political life and
thus cleared the way for the practical
demonstration of representative
government, strong without tyranny,
free without license. prosperous with
out corruption. Strict justice. ele-
waited patriotism, loyalty to the Union
were the watchwords of his career