Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-06-04
THE RUTLAND HER AID,
SATURDAY, MAY ~, 1865,
Commen,ora,ion pay


memoration day, by engaging IN tho
touching ceremony II decorating with low
ers the graves Of soldier who gave then
lives that their country might not perish
The general orler which scts apart this
day, saws Of the heroic dead, whom i i
proposed 10 honor by this Observance
"Their soldier lives were the rcvellle oi
freedom 10 a race in chains, and their
deaths the tattoo of rehcllious tyranny IN
arms, We should guarl their graves
with sacred vigilance. An that the con-
secrated wealth and taste Of the nation
can add 70 their adornment and security
is but fitting tribute 10 the memory Of
her slain defenders, Let no wanton ioo'
tread rudely ON such hallowod ground
Let -plcasant'paths invite the coming and
going of revcrcnt visitors and fond mourn
ers. Let no vandalism Of ayaricc or ne
s,ect, no rayages Of time testify 10 thepres'
ent or coming generations that we hay,
forgotten as people the cost of'a free and
undivided Republic"
let US, then, al the time appointed
gather around their sacred remains and
garland the passionless mounds above
them with choicest flowers of spring
time, let Us raise above them the dear old
flag they saved from dishonor let us in
this solemn presence renew our pledges
10 aid and assist those whom they have
left among us sacred charge upon ma
tons gratitude, the soldiers and sailors
widow and orphan"
Though the custom is new TO the hab-
its Of our people, no act can be more ap-
propriate on the part Of a people towards
its honored and martyred dead than in this
beautiful month Of May TO assemble "a
weep over their fallen heroes and bcauti-
fy their homes in the silent city Of the
dead. II will be "a beautiful tribute of
honor to our departed heroes and a cere-
mony that will fifty represent the out
pouring Of a nations gratitude for the de-
votion 10 holy cause that hesitated not
even before sacrifice of life. Although
this observance is novel to us OF the pres
ent age, yet il has been the custom Of all
nations, from the dawn of civilization,
to visit and beautify the abodes Of the
dead. In Palestine, the land Of the Olive
and the Vine, and once the beauty and
glory of the whole earth, may be- seen the
vast and beautiful cemeteries ornamcnted
with the rich flowers Of tropical climes
AT the foot Of each grave is a small earth
en- vessel in which is planted sprig of
myrtle, regularly watered every day by
the mourning friends who go there to
weep. Go there at the calm and medita-
tive hour of sunset, and you will find
kneeling at the tombs of the | oSt ones
Rachael weeping for her children" or
scattering flowers on the green turf that
close upon their loved ones.
Indeed. in all of the countries of the
East where flowers bloom in perpetual
fragrance, mourners wander among the
tombs as softly as angels walk amid the
groves of Eden, and as they read some
brief epitaph inscribed by affection to the
sleeper beneath, kneol at the sacred shrine
and invoke blessing ON the stricken
hearts Of the bcrcayed ones
This timc-honorcd custom has holy
and refining influence ON the human heart.
The blooming flowers point to the spring
time of life. The grass-coyercd mound
illustrates the destiny Of all, and the
waving evergreen declares that when the
body returns TO the earth, from whence it
came the soul. il true 10 its destiny, shall
fash forever, like sparkling diamonds in
the sunlight of Heaven.
The ashes of our dead heroes rrpo-c in
almost every city, village aud hamlet Gem
etery in the land. Fond hands have
planted flowers, and tears of affection
have been shed upon them. Venerable
mothers have stood beside the hallowcd
tombs OF their sons, who gave their lives
that the Republic might live; wives
with their hearts affections crushed ,
orphaned children, have performed their
sweet but mouruful dcyotions at the
grave of fallen father and loved ones
have honorcd them with the elogucnce Of
tears; but to-day nation pays homage
to its heroic dead. The living gather
around the tomb OF the departed dead OF
the land, TO place fresh flowers as a token
of nations gratitude 1t is well; for
by this act new pledge will be given t.
make Us more worthy of our country, and
prepare Us better to serve il in every time
of need.
Let this day become u national festival
There should be no more sacred duty
among us than the conservation of our.
selves annually TO this beautiful testimo
NAL Of remembering the nations brave
defenders-thc establishment and decora
ton of their graves with spring hower
and other evidences of love and devotion
Shall not this custom be now inuuguratet
of annually presenting this slight evi
dence of nations reverence and regard II
the shrine of its dead heroes And whel
the whole people, the soldier the civilian
gentle women and blooming youth shall
repair TO the different repositories Of til,
dead, and place on each soldier gray,
wreaths OF flowers, those emblems Of 4
higher, and holer life,-it will be one OF
the grandest scenes in human history
Let us then annually, all with sad hearts
unite in performing the holy mission OF
paying this delicate and beautiful tribute
to a nations heroic dead
- Sh nrrnn.,'. LII LII 49,