Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-06-01
,,E,rEmORsAL DAY.


recollection of great calsmities, we are
too often prone to be unmindfnl OF the
trials and suffsrings of those whose stead
fastness to duty has accomplished the
great moral and political reforms OF the
world and the blessings of WHICH we are
quietly left to enjoy. Although the cere-
monial in which the people are to join to-
dav had it's origin with the soldiers of the
Republic and is to be conductded under
their auspices, it is nevertheless one that
challenges the respect and doubtless re.
ceiVes the cordial approval of every patri-
otto man and woman in the land.
The universal respect paid to the SER
vices of the day suggests whether the
annual Decoration Day should not be
made a general holiday. What day could
better Sill the conditions of a genuine
holiday-not an occasion for mad royster-
ing and wild debauchery, but for whole
some rest and subdued cultivation of the
social delights of 1ife-than that which
commentaries the heroism and decorates
the memory of those who died for the
nation We need to contemplate oftner
than we do the value of our Union and
the duty we owe it, and the principles
it representa-, and no day In all the year
ought to be fuller of suggestions in this
direction than this, not only because of
its Intrinsic Significance, but because SO
many of the influences of our season of
tri 81 are still around us, and 80 many
memories of the struggle remain to give
emphasis to the lesson which this day in
oulcates Decoration Day from hence
forth should be national holiday.
The nation holding, as it does, the first
pace in the msrch of modern civilization
and progress, conceiving enterprises and
completing works of such magnitude and
utility as to dwarf those of Rome and
Egypt; working out the destiny of our
country with intelligence, industry and
2e i, we regard the ceremonies and enjoy
m nts of holidays with indifference
Bu-ied as we have been since a million
of men mo1estly laid down their arms to
en'pr into civic lines, we have insensibly
allowed the great events of the sanguin-
airy struggle for the preservation of the
Union to recede rapidly into the shadows
OF the past. Gettysburgh and Appomattox
have been enshriued on history's lumin-
Qua pages with Bunker Hill and York
town. Luudy'7 Lane and New Orleans,
Pal, Alto and Cherubusco and perhaps
this il in perfect consonance with the
apjrit o. our progress. hut let US remem-
Der he eternal principle secured to us by
the victory. BY the ceremonials of to-
d,y w kept alive the memory of four bun
dred thousand heroic sperits who willing
ly laid down their lives to perpetuate to
future generations the legacy inherited
from their ancestors.
We all remember that ceuplet so often
rehparsed in the days Of our youth
"New Eneland's dead New Englands dead,
On every hill they lie"
But on this memorial day it is not New
but tie nations dead. that we commence
rate and it is the nations honor, as we'll
s.'Nst Of the dead that they have not
been left TO lie con every hilf and In
every dale, but have been gathered into
cemeteries that az in life they stood
shoulder to shoulder and made common
c!-se IN b title So in death they may not
b. divided.
With the memory of our noble dead
fresh in our minds, let us offer floral trlo-
utes To their memories. Let noble wo-
man who tempered their sufferings by her
gentle ministrations and stimulated the
soldiers valor by enduring courage
frienda who sustained their endeavors,
applAuded their achievements, and COM
rades by whose side they fought, in whose
arms they died, decorate with beautiful
flowers their graves, hallowed by patriot
ism. As the people stand by their tombs
to-day, let them be pledged anew to the
holy cause in which they fell, the cause of
civilization, of justice, of universal liber-
ty Let all unite to maintain, inviolste the
public faith, preserve unsullied the ma
tons honor, increase the advantages OF
free education Let us extend welcome to
the oppressed of every nation, still protect
the rights of the humblest beneath our flag,
and mindful of the sacrifices by which our
country has been saved, let the nation by
the "sacred ashes" highly resolve that the
dead heroes have not died in vain, that the
nation under God shall have a new birth
of freedom and that the government OF
the people, by the people and for the peo'
ple shall not perish from the earth.
Let us be reminded of another duty by
the thronging memories of the past, by
our high destiny as people in the future
BY the solemnities of the hallowed honors
of to-day, let the people remember with
substantial tokens of tender care the
widows and orphans of those at whose
graves a nation pays it's tribute of respect
Let us also remembe the debt of graft
tude we owe to the soldiers who survive
the dangers of the camp, the march snc
the field, Let them never be forgotten
while one living sentinel is left of th'
great army--a gray haired tottering ole
man, perhaps, moving through the sleep
ing ranks in the city of the dead placing
on one comrades grave typical flower.
fthe unknown graves "where South
ern piaes make solemn moan and wsillu'
winds give cad reply" beyond the tende
demonstration of comrades and friends
no better expression can be given than il
the beautiful lines and chaste sentimen
Of Mrs. DORIS "Supplicamus"
0, sun o, rain o, gentle dew
fresh young grass and opening flowers
With yearnipg hearts we leave to you
IL. Il. hnt ehni11d he nnrs