Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1871-06-07
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Decorations DAY was appropriately OBJ
served. The services were at the new
church, and it was well filled. The liter
ary entertainment lasted from P. NJ. till
nearly 5 P. NJ, and consisted Of speeches,
essays aud music. Every one was as fall
Of the real patriotism as during our late
civil war. When so many Of our homes
have a vacant chair, it is scarcely posi-
bic to lose our interest in this glorious
republic for which they fought and fell.
The Good Templars came out in body.
Mrs. Geo. Wilkins read the following
essay, which is published by request Of
the citizens
As we strew with flowers the graves of
these dear soldier boys, in commemoration
of deeds Of daring, and heroism, more
worthy than any hitherto recorded upon
any page of history, in any country, let
us realize that it is no tririal act, but one
that carries with it a principle as sacred,
and deep, and broad, as are the founda-
tions of this fair republic. 1t is enough
for us to know that these brave young
souls, took their lives in their hands, and
went forth in the name Of God, aud of
humanity, 10 serve their country in the
time Of her EXTREMIST peril, when the
chances were fearfully against them, when
the destinies of the nation hung trembling
in the balance, alternating with such I'M
certainty, it was difficult to tell who we're
for, and who against them.
AT that exciting period in our nations
history, to send cheer to the poor SOL
der boy in camp, was not so easy, and pop
ular a thing as to bring a flower to-day.
At an hour like this, when the deep.seated
preiudices. and bitter animosities Of the
past are fast disappearing, and halo of
glory, and success, is shedding its peace
full influences upon us; when from the
ice-bound regions of the north, to the
southern sea, from the broad Atlantic, to
the Pacific shore, the one, united cry is,
this country shall be forever free, united,
and inseparable, not stain, or blot, shall
henceforth mar her fair escutcheon, how
easy, for " ones country to die"
But let us never forget that such was
not the hour when these brave men, some
who stand among US to-day, others, who
fell with their armor on, went forth to dc
battle for the right; not for conquest, oil
the acquisition of territory, or power, but
, to maintain the best government on the
face of the earth; government for tht
people, by the people.
Then the sun was low in the horizon
The darkness Of night was upon us. The
5 eyes Of all Europe we're directed toward
| us, while we were the focus Of every for
; eign spy-glass on the globe.
The test of free government was sud
denly, if not prematurely, thrust upon us
We were taken by surprise. We were
+. unarmed, and more lamentable still, W,
: were not, as a people, united as to wha
was right, or what was wrong.
Our self.love, and conceit, had grow
with our prosperity, until we felt that W.
could conquer the world but when thu
/. test was applied, we found it fully equa
} to our strength. The evils we had 81
long cherished and which foreign nation
had so often predicted would undermine
us, and lay us low, now doomed up in gi
gantic proportions; while our enemie
abroad exultingly exclaimed, where nov
is your boosted strength3
. AT such an hour as this, these, our fel
low townsmen, and young friends, some o
them mere boys, went forth to save GU
government from being so disorganized
and shattered, as never again to be re
stored. From the backness of such {
darkness we were saved by their owl
right arms, salvation which not alon,
blesses us, but which affects the entire hu
man race.
We have no need TO look far to fine
who rescued our country from the infamy
Of defeat, As every mind has within /