Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-06-02
Decoration Day at Castleton.
ADDRESS BY HI. CROSSE, V. D. NJ.

The beautiful cemetery at Castletor
village contains some thirteen soldiers
graves, and on Monday last these graves
were profusely decorated with flowers
sweet tokens of the affectionate and kind
" remembrances in which the names Of
the fellen braves are held by a patriotic
community. At p. m. a procession com
posed of citizens from several sections o.
the town, pupils of the Seminary, and
scholars from the Sunday schools of the
village and the school at Hydeville, was
formed in front of the Congregational
church, and thence moved to the cemetery
under charge of Col, f. Parker, as Marsha
of the Day.
After the emblems of affection had beer
strewed profusely upon the soldiers
graves, the large conoourse proceeded to ar
adjacent grove, where attention was given
20 exercises in the following order:
/. Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Francis of Castle
ton.
=. Singing by the choir.
3. Grafton by Rev H. L. Crosse OF
fHydeville.
4 Singing by students of the Seminary.
g. Poem by Mr.. Ballard of Castleton.
g. Address by Rev. Mr.. Ross of Castle.
ton.
Z. Singing by the choir.
5. Benediotion by Rev. J. Phillips OF
Castleton.
The Poem of Mr. Ballard was an effort
worthy of his growing genius, and was
requested for publication ; al was also the
Grafton of Mr.. Crosse, which your cores
poudent need not characterize, as the
readers of the HERALD will find ii
in this connection, aud may judge of il
for themselves.
GRAFTON.
Ladies' and Gentlemen We are to-day
on historic ground, for purpose mos
grateful to patriotic hearts.
With the din of war no longer sound
ing in our ears with pictured scenes oil
carnage fading out of view; with the
multiplied arts of peace pouring blessings
at our feet; with vast enterprises of ma
tional aggr Indictment absorbing the pub
lie mind we need an occasion like the
present to keep fresh the sacred memories
of the direful past, and to remind our
whole people that
HE sleeps within an honoredtomb,
Who for his country bravely died."
The offerings of the heart, at the shrine
of our country's fallen braves, should not
be limited to the circle of their relatives
and friends, but should flow profusely
from all who enjoy the fruits of the final
victory, which gave security to our homes
permanenoe to our nationality, and glory
to our star-spangled banner. One branch
of Congress has already placed "Deoora-
ton Day" among our National Holidays,
and it is believed the other branch will
soon give it the same distinction. Pub lie
sentiment demands this 4 nation, throb-
bing with patriotic impulses, will not fail
to commemorate the self-devotedness of
those who voluntarily came to the rescue,
in the darkest and most perilous hour OF
its history valiant men, who counted not
their lives dear to themselves, If their
country demanded the sacrifice.
We perpetuate their memory--not by
towering columns of brass; not by tri-
umphal arches of sculptured marble; not
by monumental pillars, piercing the skies
not by splendid mausoleums, challenging
the wonder of tho world mol not thus
do we preserve their names from oblivion.
We use other methods, unpretending in
their character, yet beautiful in their
cha5te simplicity. We pay yearly visit
to their graves, that we may deck them
with the aowery emblems of our grateful
remembrance, and of their own immor
tality making no display of indecorous,
outward parade, yet instituting observan.
tes that shall impress all hearts with the
sacredness Of the occasion.
Some ones muse hath said:
"There is language in each flower
That opens to the eye;
y voiceless, but magic power,
Doth in earth's blossoms lie.
YES flowers have tones God gave to each:
language of its own,
Ana bade the simple blossom teach,
Where er Its seeds are sown.
In Natures joyous spring-time, the lam
guage of flowers, in mute eloquence, shall
speak not alone the hallowed affections Of
relatives and friends-the
Glove unchanging, for the dead
Lying in their gloried sleeps"
But the noble sentiments of nations
lasting gratitude to martyred Sons O.
Freedom,
"Whose storied deeds shall never die,
While coming years thSir circles rum"
Year after year kind hands shall bear
Immortal flowers in vernal bloom !"
And Age and Youth, with growing care,
Shall strew them on the hallowed tomb.
Independence Day has meaning. Chill
dren are inquisitive to understand il, and
so it's import is handed down from gen
Grafton to generation.
Thus will it be with Decoration Day
Long after the last parental griefs ar,