The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-06-23
The Grand Reriesr.

4 IL
ance in his discourse the next Sabbath. TO
the following eloquent and graphic deserip-
tion of the great review. Although we
give it at late day it will be found of
thrilling interest
All that can hope TO give Is 4 gen
eral impression of this wonderful Scene.
the like of which none can expect or wish
10 see again: Tor God GRANT that orr war-
fare is accomplished for ages. torcrsr.
within this nation. But sublime beyond
power of expression was the manifestation
thus given. for once. of the heroisn of Il
free people. Rome in her era of imperial
grandeur, France and Germany IN the
me,lieval ages. Paris in the most splendid
DAYS of Napoleon, London in the noontide
of Wellington. never looked on such a
triumphal procession As rolled through the
broad avenues of the capital of this Re
public for twelve hours, 10000 strong,
and thirty miles, at least. in length
More snowy displays have been often made,
for these veterans were returning from the
longest marches the severeSt exposures,
and the sterncst contests which any armies
in modern times have passed through. and
though neat and trim rs circumstances per
mitteI. Vet their uniforms Were faded ;ind
weather-stained. and their taitered ham
ners iold the tale of their prolonged hard
ships But it was this very evidence of
terrible toll and struggle, so meonsciously
given. that made the chief charm OF the
spectacle. This w:lS no holiday parade OF
professional soldiers Here were our
brothers. men of the people. fellow citi--
zcns. who had for four long. weary woe
ful wears. left home and all that makes
home dear. left peaceful pursuits OF indus
try, and the pleasant paths of peace. and
riSked nil. sacrificed all. for the laws and
! liberties of the commonwealth. For lii
and for our children. for all our privileges
and immunitieS. for our free churches.
free courts. free legislative halls. free farm
ers' fields and mechanics workshops, free
schools. and free presses, l;s.l they fought
and poured out their lite'S blood. ard
borne the pittilcs> peltings Of the storm anu
p;lrching heals. Oh, God bless and re-
ward them and theirs How. from The
heart and 10 the heart OF our whole ma
ton came and went the meaning OF the
motto inscribed that day ON the capitol:
The nn:v national debt we can never pax
! the .i,.lt We owe 10 cur victorious mon
soldier
To one who looked eastward from The
gate oi lle treasury buil,iing. up Pennsyl-
y;,mia avenue 10 the capitol. more than a
mile. the vast host oi moving heroes, UNI
ted into one. the surface ot the mass undu-
. lafing with The cadenorl march. ir.yonelS-
; and gun barrels. and >;llreS. anJ spear
: heads .li>iening with innumcrable lei> and
, >parklc> of light. like the rapids of Niag;l-
r. flashing in sunshine food forc,er
iiowin. down and on. from eyer-fnll f1un-
t;iin>. unintermitting. continually renewed,
: immense in volume. majestic IN sweep. re-
: >i-tlcs> in momentum. graceful in might
seemed like river OF lite-a very HsSouri
, OF mmshod, E.ye, heart. imagination
Were fillc,l with this sublime vision of The
giant stream. - steadily pouring on and
evcr on. through gailv cnamellel. ilowery
hanks of crowded sideways packed win
dowS. throngcd roofs all ablaze with lrin-
ncr-. and flowers. and manv-hued dresses ::
and tlie scene oi, wonder grcw deeper and
deeper a> the fascinated exc watched the
incxhau>lable current OF vital >igor. "a
beautiful in ordered will. in manifold one
ness. in harmonized omnipotence. Whence
do they cume-iheSc waves on waves ui
athletes. 81 upright and firm in front, 80
bronzel and ru,l,iy in tint. with matted
beard and close clipped hair. with mu>-
Giles 30 plant. strong :.nI elastic Ike Steel.
!. and steady. springy step. and gay cheer
fulnesS of look, and carriage! And are
these the exhausted resources of a na-
ton. decimated 10y four years of bloody
strife! And are these thirty miles OF IN
! Iomitable SONS of Anak only two-fifthS oi
, the armies of the republic. with count
les fleet and another of seaman 10 guard
their flankS! Oh. thanks. erer-fre~ll
thanks, TO the Lord God Omnipotent. thai
he has thus demonstrated before the on
looking nations that free institution>-thc
Govern ment Of a people tya people ans!
tor people. i the most stable. while mos;
proercs>iye-the most loyal, while moSi
libcral-iorm of government on earth.
Thanks. ever-tresl thanks, This voune
giant of a republic, in the grand Olympi,
games of the ages. has proved IFS proves:
and won its crown, Henceforth LET IL,
have peace. Here are our peacc-maker:
AMI our peace-keeperS-men who priz'
freedom is the law of heavenly order, ans
who. to guard this sacred blrihright. ar,
ready at the instant TO give their lives
: their all.
When somewhat satisfied with th'
- grand general impression, one was free f
= note particulars. What first attracted tn
!, eve. perhaps, was the profu~ion of flower
;. for this is the season Of roses in this Dis
=. trict and the rose tint seemed TO ligh
" up. with festive brightness, the dingy an
dust powdered uniforms. There wer
earlandS of flowers on the shoulder,
N breasts and arms of the mounted officers
- wrcath~ of flowers on the arclied neckS q
: their chargers; bouquets of flowers at th
II saddle bow or in the bride hand: sprig
1, OF flowers projected from the gun barrel
-o of the sollier. surirs of flowers wer