Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-06
THE BURIAL OF GEN. LYON.

ent affection, such as the people accord only
to the patriot hero.
Twenty-three years ago, at the age of II,
recollected by his comrades as Il pale faced
boy-modest, firm, and brave-he left his ia,
theirs farm for West Point, and followed that
path of glory which led to the patriots grave.
And the great OF the land esteemed it an hon
or to share in the last sad obsequies, and fol
low to his last resting place one who has hon
ored his birthplace, his state, and his country.
Notwithstanding that Eastford is a secluded
farming town, ten miles iro:a the nearest rail.
road, the attendance at the funeral was great,
probably exceeding seven thousand from other
towns. The City Guards and the Light
Guards from Hartford, with Colts Band,
accompanied the remains from that city.
Among the distinguished persons present were
Gov. Sprague and staff, of Rhode Island, in
Guiding Coils. L. B. Freize, j. a. Gardner,
Byron Sprague, Jabez G.. Knight, mayor Of
Providence, and Attorney General w. S.
Burgess Gov. Buckingham and staff o.
Connecticut; Adjutanl General Schouler and
Col Wetherell Of Gov. Andrews staff, Of
Massachusetts, Hon. Galusha A. Grow, Hon.
Chauncey f. Cleveland, Mayor Deming of
Hartford, Gen. James T, Pratt, Hon. l.. S.
Foster, Richard Busted, Esq, of New York,
Judge Colt OF st. Louis, Captains Edgar and
Plummer, and Major Conant, of Gen Ere
mont's staff
The speaking took place on the green in
front of the old meeting house, within which
the body lay in state, Ex-Gov. Cleveland
presided, and after prayer by Rev. MIR. Will
liams and singing by the church choir, Judge
Carpenter of Killingly, a native of Eastiord,
gave brief history of Gen. Lyons eventful
life, and paid tribute to his rare modesty and
unobtrusive manners.
Hon Galusha A. Grow, speaker of the
United States house of representatives, who
was introduced by Mr.. Cleveland as native
and TO the manor born, stood in sight OF his
boyhood home. He commenced his address
with the words, "Once more upon my native
heather to drop tear upon the grave of one
who dead yet lves-to stand upon the soil
made hallowed by Putnam, Knowlton, and
| Lyon. He illustrated the progress of ideas
from Columbus to Luther, to the pilgrims, to
| the revolution, to show how great events form
| one grand chain bridging man to man. But
| also comes the ordeal OF affection. Now, said
he, must loyal men prove their readiness and
ability to guard the watch tower of liberty,
and not suffer downfall here at time when
Poland Hungary, and Venice are looking
forward TO a return OF their former greatness
now, when the slave walks free by Tunis and
Stambous Golden Horn. National degrade
| ton was more to be feared than war and pesti-
| lence You me called upon TO day as you
| prize your own rights, as you cherish your
| fathers, 10 maintain free government against
! a world in aims. The boom of the cannon at
| Lexington shook the continent, and raised an
obscure officer to the highest pinnacle of
earthly glory. To-day your townsman falls in
defence of all that is dear TO the American,
and you are called upon by strong obligations
to defend the same flag,
GLOW can man die better
Xnutfle temples of his gods?"
Lyons tomb is the granite hills. Fortunate
in life, he is doubly fortunate in his death.
| "For if there be on this earthly sphere
| boon and Offering heaven holds dear,
| lis the last libation that liberty draws
And the heart that beeds and breaks in its cause"
Gov. Buckingham said the people were not
yet half awake to the sacrifice required of
them to maintain what the patriots of the rev.
olution yielded their lives to secure. More
sacrifices have yet to be made. Connecticut
has already given her Winslow, her Ward, her
Farnum, and now her Lyon. This last is an
offering which touches not kindred and friends
alone, but The millions of the land who have a
common longing for the sustenance of the
government. We shall not forget this hour,
nor the sacrifice, but a monument over the dust
of the noble Lyon, shall testify the greatness
OF our sacrifice.
Gov. Sprague said, as he had pitched his
tent in eastern Connecticut ne had some claim
| to be considered as one of them. On no idle
occasion is this vast multitude assembled. In
IGNORING this dead we also devote ourselves
to renewed energy. 1t is privilege to stand
| by the grave OF one who has fallen for his
country. The republic is in danger, and the
effort of every loyal man and woman is neces
sary to preserve it. Not oratory tells now, but
the power of battalions. | would that | could
impress all to so forward with enthusiasm, to
stem this tide, and bring back the country to
its original honor and glory.
An eloquent speech was made by Hon.
Henry G. Deming; also brief addresses by
Hon Lafayette S. Foster, Richard Busted,
Esq. of New York, Gen. Schouler of this state,
Judge Colt of ST. Louis, an intimate friend of
Gen. Lyon, Capt Edgar Of Fremont's staff,
and Major Conant, who was with Gen. Lyon
in all his Missouri battles
The procession to the grave was long, and
included cavacade and fire company from
Southbrdge, with the Southbridge Band.
With muffied drums and reversed arms the
military escort formed around the hearse. and
with dirges due and sad array" the funereal
pageant moved on to the village burying
ground, where the customary salute was
fired over the grave where hero was buried.
The coffin was wrapped in the American
flag, and wreaths of laurel smothered his
military cap and sword which were placed
on the burial case. The laurel around his
brow is green forever. Who can hope TO
die so honored and go down SO surrounded
with halo of glory
SOME of the scoundrels who had part in the
-, H. &C.