Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-31
SIX MEMBERS
OF G. A. R. PRESENT
MEMORIAL DAY

MEMORIAL DAY
Six members of Heath Post, No. 6.
Grand Army of the Republic. stood
erect in their places and answered the
roll call with soldierly precision at
the annual Memorial Day services at
Christ Episcopal church Sunday morn
ing. This impressive part of the serv-
Ice was witnessed by a congregation
composed of church members, Heath
Relief Corps. Veterans of Foreign
Wars, American Legion, American Lee
gion Auxiliary, Sons of Veterans,
Sons of Veterans Auxiliary, city Off
Gals and guests. The singing of pa
triotic selections, America" Battle
Hymn of the Republic" and the organ
selection, 1.-The Star Spangled Banner"
with the sounding of taps by the
American Legion bugler, added militia
ry atmosphere. to the order of services.
At the roll Call of Civil War, veter-
ance the following responded: George
Cross. D. M. Dale, II. E. Merriam, l..
H. Merrill, George Hoyt, M. L. Rollins,
also Albert Tobey of the Bath post of
the Grand Army.
The sermon was preached by Rev.
Edw. c. McAllister, chaplain of Ben
jamin E. Smith Post, No. 4. American
Legion, and was taken from the text
Romans 1877, Render therefore to all
their dues; tribute to whom tribute is
due; custom to whom custom, fear to
whom fear, honor to whom honor" In
telling of the original purpose of Me-
mortal Day to adorn the graves of
those fallen for the Union. the speaker
showed thof I'D i,,,
ing until it included In thought end
purpose all who in arms from the first
clash with the red man until the last
shot in the Argonne had made this
land possible, and had upheld it's prin-
ciples at home and abroad. But"
declared Mr.. McAllister though this
be true, one line fast fading is first of
all in our thoughts as the day returns
Ninety days read the first call for
troops to end what was thought to be
local revolt in 1861. Four years of
times that tried mems souls was the
actual record. How near the Union
came to utter disaster. not once but
many times! How often the word
came in of terrible defeat! This is not
treason to rehearse, but it is the SIM
pie truth, and the honor that must be
paid to as gallant foe as ever
marched since men first found their
feat; men of like blood. men of the
same blood, and names our very own"
In reference to the actual fighting,
the speaker quoted Won Moltke, who
in reviewing reports of the first fight
ing of the war said: 1T was the
clash of militia forces and not of
trained troops" Never ready for any
war, apparently by believing with each
generation that VIZ will Eerhf
4, the nation paid the inevitable price
of such folly. Impatience and ignor-
ance drove on the north to Bull Run.
Balls Bluff, to the Seven Days battle.
and the north awoke from dreams of
speedy victory to find the men in gray
, invading Maryland and the civ of
washington perilously near capture.
There We're many times during the
struggle that great generals have de-
CARED to be the turning points of the
war. but in the opinion of the speak
er, any one or all these together are
OF less significance than was the ma
tlonal election of 1864. Then when
Cold Harbor, and Spottsylvania and
the Wilderness battles rolled I'D the
tale of Union dead almost beyond en-
durance. when treasure poured out at
lnen unheard of figure of a million a
cay. and our bonds commanded the
respect of no market, when draft
riots were not unknown, then. not
simply the men behind the lines. but
all in arms who must bear their
breast to the leaden storm, they also
were asked-Shall the war go ono
silently the ballots fell, and to the
endless honor of this people and the
glory of God, Lincoln and the cause
hn CT
triumph OF arms equaled that VIC
tory; without such moral force there
can be no abiding triumph. Against
all sound strategy the Confederates
detended Richmond as though the
place We're essential to the cause. the
INES of Grant closed in. Sherman
ieavlng only ashes behind him swept
North again and the work was done.
But, said the Europeans who
/ looked on, that army can never be
dlsbanded. military dictator will
surely seize the reins of government.
the republic is DONE" There came
an hour, few days of revelation. I'M
foldlns alike the military power of
THIS land. and the common sense of
this people. For days there passed
In review the veterans. equaled by
none then in arms. In fighting power.
the mightiest ever assembled until
that hour: the mere threat Of which
had ended\the dream of foreign en-
pire in Mexico. and then that host
melted away taking the places or
making fresh ones in the ranks of
industry; creating or enriching our
mid West; the blue coat laid away.
or serving the toiler as it had sery-
ed the soldier.
! Yes, today, above all, we salute
you, survivors of that dread conflict.
and through you we honor your COM
rades fallen in the field or by the
way. Because of your steadfastness
under God this nation dives undivided.
because of your self restraint. the
threat of military despotism vanish
ed. And IS our duty done, when. the
story of your valor is rehearsed. and
snail we go from this and like scenes
with no thought Of our responsible
ty; no rising to meet the challenge
of the times? The guns on three
continents, across the cas- give sulIen
warning that not yet, may Just pre-
paration be laid down. Who is there
who does not know that with our
gates flung wide to all corners this
nation would be submerged possibly
In one generation, and that beyond
hope of recovery. What holds them
fast? 1t is the written word: the or
der given. the enactment of Con-
gress? Yes, and the certain know
ledge that we have the strength to
hold them. Woe to us if we permit
that strength to slip from US! Woe
to us If our youth fail to learn obed-
renee, discipline, and that stern ffdel-