Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-05-03

hour wherein we heard that treason,
stricken in its last stronghold, had sought
its last revenge and murdered our good
President. Joy was turned into mourning
and the nation wept beside his coffin. With
sad hearts men bore him from the place Of
his labor and his victory to his grave by
the setting sun.
The work he commenced we have to
perfect; there can be no halfway work,
no compromises between right and wrong.
In bequeathing US the work he left us also
the watehwords of his life for our guild
ance bidding us labor simply, justly and
manfuly. [App,ause.] Lincoln said to
the black man, Be free. We now must say
to him, Brother here is the ballot which
shall protect your freedom. Applause.
Lincoln said to the oppressed white Union
ist of the South, Fight for US and we will
not forget you. We say to him, Brother,
into your hands we place the flag for which
you fought; you are worthy to carry it
and TO lake yonr place as leader. Lincoln
said to the vanquished foe. Here is the
blessing of peace-take it to your homes.
We say to them, Mercy we freely give
you, but justice demands that those who
sought 10 destroy the tempe of our liber.
ty shall not share the privilege Of recon-
structing it. (Applause.] Thus armed
with the sheathed sword of justice, and
remembering mercy. we grid ourselves
again TO our task tonight. Applause.
Blessed memories of the dear dead of our
battle fells cluster here to nerve our
hearts anew. Their white hands point US
right onward. Their pallid lips sing US a
sweet song Of triumph. Their robes Of
martyrdem plead for justice 10 their chill
dren, while every tear that falls upon their
graves is an angel of mercy.
There is one idea which b, longs pre-em-
inently to the story of Abraham Lincoln,
and that is, the unity and indivisibility
of these States. Before his day it was
largely theory now it is a fact, fixed
forever. One grave-the grave OF our
good President-breaks down all the bar
riers of separate dominion. That grave
burrows the prairie of Illinois, but its dust
belongs to every loyal child of the Union
When 10 our thought it gives up its pre-
cious trust and he stands above it glorified
as he does tonight, he stands not there
alone. From the forests of Virginia IL
! the bayous Of far Louisiana-from every
State where sleep the ashrs of our heroic
| dead-from quiet graveyards beneath thu
| shadow of the old village churches--fron
battle fields now deserted and neglected
| from the prison pens of Andersonyille ant
Florence and Belle Ise--ihere rise q
countless array Of those who fought good
fight for freedom, and they turn their earn
est shadowy eyes towards the last and
chief martyr OF their host, aud cry with
voices that sound like the signing OF mid
night wind, q, leader OF our host, we
died for our country. Tell us, sentinel Of
its liberties. are its stars all there? ?" With
thrilling emphasis his voice makes answer :
: Firmly fixed by the hand of power-more
firmly held by justice and mercy, every
star still burns on the azure of the flag"
Let it be the labor Of our lives, and dying
let US bequeath the duty to our children to
30 maintain the Union of these States as
thar the voice of Lincoln may thus make
answer to latest time. Great Applause.
A concluding performance on the organ
closed the ceremonies of the evening.
which were throughout Of most interest
ing and impressive character.