Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-31
Fitting Ceremonies
Observed Memorial
Day at HalloWell

HallowellS observance of Memorial
, Day was one which would have been
creditable to a far larger town. Even
the weather clerk did his bit and gave
perfect day. The exercises We're I'M
der the general direction of Gen. c. w.
| Tilden Camp, Sons of Veterans, Robert
Coombs commander Hon. c. X. Tilden.
| mayor of Hallowell, was president of
the day, Daniel II. Meader officer of the
! day, and j. Manley Patterson marshall,
with Carl Aldrich and Leigh Weber
as aides. The procession formed at 8
o'clock on Second street, near City hall,
in three divisions. The marshal. assist
ed by Edward Webb and John Hall, all
mounted, led the way, followed by the
Hallowell police force and Dennis
Band of Augusta. Then came the
American Legion, Gen. c. w. Tilden
Camp, Sons of Veterans, ex-soldiers in
carria ges. the president of the day, the
orator, the clergy, and the members of
the city government in carriages. The
second division was made up Of the
Hallowell Firemen's Association and
the Hallowell firemen led by the Boys
Fife and Drum Corps. The third di-
vision was made up of school children
and was headed by Bigelow's Boys
Band.
One unusual and interesting feature
Of the occasion was the presence in
the marching line of two members of
John d. Hubbard Post, G. A. r. They
were Harvey Gatchell and Thomas
Jones of Manchester. Mr.. Gatchell
carried the colors of John 3. Hub
bard Post in the line. both to and from
the cemetery. He was escorted on the
way up by Thomas Jones of John B.
Hubbard Post and Eugene Smith of
Gen. c. w. Tilden Camp, Sons of Vet
Grams. On the return march his escort
was a veteran of the World War and
one of the Spanish War. This is the
first time in about 10 years that the
colors of the post have been carried
by a member of the G. A. r. OF late
years that duty has fallen to the Sons
of Veterans, so the appearance of the
veterans in line was the more strik-
ing. Mr. Gatchell made the return
march with no less firm step than his
younger escorts. Two other Civil War
veterans, George Emery and Lewis
Barton, rode in carriages and were
present at the ceremonies. Horace
Parkhurst. Spanish War veteran.
was in line.
At the cemetery appropriate and I'm
pressive exercises were held. Hon. c.
K. Tilden announced the program,
which was as follows:
Singing by school children; prayer,
Rev w. p. Bradford: music, Dennis
Band; reading, Lincoln's Gettysburg
address. Mrs. Eva Coburn; grafton, Rev.
A. T. McWhorter: music. Dennis Band;
decoration of graves: music by the
band: benediction by Rev. E. W. Web
Der; taps,
Mr. Mcwhorter's address was timely
and inspiring. He declared that he was
not there TO settle national questions
he would leave that for wiser men;
neither was he there to depict the fee
hle condition of those that remained
of the Grand Army" feeling sure, as
he did. that some of them could still
tire him out. His intention, he said,
was to speak briefly of the March of
Progress" Originally only kings
counted, he declared. and the people
were of little Importance. Then came
the time wien the word people" was
written with a capital letter. That
marked big step in human progress.
The men back Of all progress were
optimists: pessimists never contributed
anything to 1t. His definition Of a pes
simist was "a man who can't enjoy his
ice cream today because he fears he
may not have any ice cream tomorrow"
Not only did II take optimfsts. he said.
to make real progress, but also men
OF convictions. Soldiers as well as
scientists have contributed a definite
part to human progress. Mr.. McWhor-
ter spoke Of the splendid resources of
America and the room there was for
newcomers Men of progress now. he
said, must be cautious men as well as
possessing the other qualities he had
mentioned. Peace" and '1nternation-
alism" must be clearly understood.
Any man TO be great American must
know about the American nation am
the principles upon which it was found