The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-06-16
AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS HONOR,
MAYOR c. W WESCOTT OF
BELFAST, MAINE.

MAYOR c. W. WESCOTT OF
BELFAST, MAINE.
Dear Sir: AS result of your adver-
tlsement in the current issue of the local
paper, requesting those who had objec-
tions TO memorial tablet to the honor
ed dead who gave their lives for each and
al! OF us being placed upon the new
nrldge, | have many and decided objec-
t'ons to the placing of such tablet.
approach this matter in spirit of the
utmost humility and with the vague
thought in the back of my mind that pos
sioiy l may have very small excuse or
rignt TO, In any way, criticise the action
OF the City Government or anybody else,
VINO wishes to place memorial on the
bridge. AS to my admiration for, and
deep and sincere feeling of gratitude to-
ward those noble patriots who gave their
lives to the cause, yield to no man.
A lifting memorial to their memory
should be raised. 1t is the least that Bel
fast can do, and in no way is, or can be.
adequate. AS those of us who were de-
MED the supreme privilege OF having sons
to send to France, to die if need be, also
were denied the privilege of going to
france to join that hero band, should we.
Notwithstanding the fact that we did ali
we could in the various necessary and
urgently required drives, bond sales, ETC.,
as we'll as buying till it hurt, be denied a
voice in the locating of memorials?
There seems to me to be various and
sundry excellent reasons why memoir
lal should not be placed upon the bridge
Had been fortunate enough to have had
a boy who went to France and died that
we might live, does it seem to you or me,
or anybody else that we would have been
willing for that boy to have had erected
to him a memorial in the location pro-
posed? l don't think the location offers
that atmosp lere of quiet, culture and re-
tinement which is requisite to the calm,
thoughtful meditation that one should
possess while contemplating the lives of
heroes.
One should not be compelled to stand
In the street or upon bridge, in dust and
danger while reading the inscription on
tablet. The surroundings ought, it seems
to me, to be of character to add to the
impressiveness of any memorial which
may be contemplated
The material of a memorial erected in
Maine, in general, or in Waldo County in
particular, to the memory of any of its
lost sons and heroes, ought to be typical
of its most enduring product, namely
granite. know of no fitting place upon
the bridge TO place granite memorial.
The approach to the bridge is quite
likely to be somewhat congested, as
Bridge street is quite tortuous, and in
places very narrow. Also, from the
present outlook, we are not likely to
have this street either made straight or
widened in the near future.
The entrance to the bridge is by the
way of a very narrow lane between the
Coe- Mortimer property and Booth Bros.
sardine factory (both quite necessary in
; dustrles, but not adding much to the
, esthetic qualities of location for me-
: morialD A masked grade crossing then
: is approached, and if 1000 cars each day
cross this bridge, and few people from
! each car stopped to read the inscription
! upon the proposed tablet, will it not, sir,
, cause some tritllng congestion in traffic. .
The approach and actual entrance to
the bridge, grade crossing, ETC., are sali-
ent features which will have tendency
to discourage that soothing quietness of
: thought sc necessary to acquire the right
attitude OF mind to properly indulge III
hero worship. Do you not agree with
\ me, sir, that it is falling from the sub
: lime to the ridiculous to think for mo-
ment OF placing a memorial tablet to oui
p loved and fallen heroes, that is to remain
g as long as time lasts, lu such malodor-
v Gus location? As far as my limited pow.
v er can be extended fail utterly to visu-
aize splendid, heroic figure of one Of
- our grand soldiers of the Legion, with the
4 features of Greek God, standing throu 1t
all the cons of eternity on guard at The
bridge, gazing with the sadness of re.
proach upon the malien, malodorous mue
flats of the raging Passag
| am perfectly aware that it does uot
require much brains to find fault, ane
that intelligent criticism assumes
knowledge of the subject However,
offer these thoughts for what they art
worth, and if they have no value the,
will neitherN add nor detract from the
gayety of Nations.
wish to offer tentative plan for
memorial and its location. This is moi
original. 1t was suggested to me by
gentleman who is a clear and soune
thinker, who has the best interests of the
city at heart The loyal Legion will soor
acquire, by force of circumstances, the
/ Memorial Building, as the Grand Army
of the Republic, SO sadly and with sc
much of our regret, will be forced by di.
minishing members to release it to othel
hands. The Waldo County Court House
is temple dedicated to justice and equal
4 ity among men. What more fitting thar
to place monument of Waldo comfy
. granite, which will withstand the treless
tooth of time, and remain as unchange
able as the eternal hills, stately, digni
fled and adequate tribute to the memory
of our loved and lost ones? A beautiful
spot quiet, clean, running through from
one street to another, and place that
would become haIlowed and sacred with
the lapse of time.
And again 1t offers somewhat seclud-
ed resting place for pilgrims to that
shrine, who might wish to tarry aw hile
in the sacred vicinity of this memorial,
and could do so without loss of time, dust
dirt, danger, or any interference with
traffic.
otfei these rambling thoughts hoping
many others, and those more qualified
than |, will enter this discussion, and we
will have full and complete expression
of opinion of all who are interested, ano
everybody ought to be.
Yours very respectfully,
WILLIAM LINCOLN WEST,