Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-06-04
o0uHEHOR iTi0y DAY " BURLINGTON
Interesting and Impressive Services
ADDRESS BY REV. d. ". DAYTON, AND REMAhA7
BY SENATOR EDMUSDs. IMMENSE CoNCoCksk
OF CITIZENS, ETC, Etc.

Another day of special observance has been
added to our National holidays, one which we
believe will be more generally observed with
deeper emotion and holier memories than any
other-the day set apart for the decoration OF
the graves Of the soldiers who fell in the late
war.
It has been supposed that the idea of the day
originated with the people of the South, who
took this way of making a demonstration in
honor Of their " lost cause " after the close OF
of the war, by decorating the graves of the con-
federate dead; but it is claimed that the colored
people at Charleston s. were before them, in the
/ loving service of strewing flowers on the graves
( of Northern soldiers. 1t is certain that when
the graves Of the Southern soldiers were gener-
ally decorated in later years. the grateful freed
men took care that the graves Of those who fell
to secure their liberty, should not fail of their
floral tribute From this beginning, the Prac-
tice has spread throughout the country.
Last year, mainly under the auspices OF the
Grand Army of the Republic, day assigned for
this holy purpose was observed in many Of the
principal towns Of many States, people Of all
ages joining with the soldiers in the work This
year in every County of every Northern State.
wherever the posts Of the Grand Army have been
established, the day has been celebrated, with
the general and cordial concurrence Of the citi-
zens
Our exchanges come filed with accounts Of
memorial services. from that at the Arlington
Cemetery opposite Washington, on the former
estate Of Gen. Lee, in which Gen Grant. Gen.
Sherman. the members Of the Cabinet and the
other dgnitaries Of Washington took part, and
at which monument was decorated, which
MARKS the last resting place Of firo thousand IN
known Union soldiers; to assemblages Of few
loyal and loving hearts to beieck some single
grave of a fallen hero. Another year, some week
day will doubtless be selected, in which all can
join in these services, and then the day will
have still widsr and more cordial Observance
N this city, Sunday, the occasion had gen. F
sent in to the hall Of the Grand Army in hun
irels Of wreaths, crosses, stars, boquets, and .
other designs, many of them Of rare eEotcs, Of .
exquisite wild flowers, and every floral product
Of our gardens and greenhouses, now in bloom
The procession formed at two O'Clock, p. m, on
the square, under the orders Of Gen. W. "
Henry. Commandant Of the Post, every soldier
IN the line bearing boquet, and many being
oalei down with flowers.
The order was as follows
l. Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. .,
headed by the officers Of the Post, with Major
zen. Stannari, Major Gen. Wells, and the rest
If the officers and priyates composing the organ
z.tion. following.
D Mayor and Board Of Aldermen Of tn city
4 Burlington, in carriages.
5 Vermont Militia in the following order
'-uplnies A, B, C and ,, lst Regiment Infn-
-y, and lst section Light Battery d.-mauu,el.
T. Fire Department in the following order
hef Engineer and Assistant Engineers, Boxer
%. No Q, Ethan Allen Co. No. {, Hook and ,
adder TO. No. !.
8. Students of the University
g. Citizens on Foot.
=. Citizens in Carriages.
The whole line was toward mile in length, /!
ID WAS accompanied by great numbers q our n
items Of all classes, on foo; and in carriages. "a
Arrived at Green Mount Cemetery the soldiers 81
ii citizens were formed in lines in front Of the a
= granite monument to Ethan Allen, on the
se Of which the speakers and singers took their
and An appropriate prayer was offered by
s Ehen Haiey, of Richmond, who was a sli- =,
sr ia the war. The Hymn '' America was -
en- sung, the whole coucourse joining with
e effect. The address f.lloaei Rev. D. v.
yton, formerly Chaplain Of the old u Yer :!
mt, was Introduced by Gen. Henry. and spoke II