Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-06-01
OUR PATRIOT DEAD.
DECORATION DAP EXERCISE
AN IMPRESSIVE OCCASION.


AN IMPRESSIVE OCCASION.
In response to an invitation of Post
Roberts for those who cherish the memory
of the patriot heroes who nobly died in
the defense of the liberties of our com
mon country, to participate in the memo
rial exercises Of decorating their graves
with flowers, large and enthusiastic
gathering of our citizens was called out
yesterday. No better evidence could be
afforded that the memory OF these loved
and lost ones is still fresh and fragrant
with those who live to enjoy the benefits
of their sacrifice, than the general obser-
vance Of Decoration bay. The morning
dawned with the bright promise OF an
suspicious day, and at an early hour busy
hands were occupied in gathering and ar
ranging the floral tributes. In accordance
with the request of the Decorating Com
mittee, contributions Of flowers come fow-
ing into the parlors Of the Central House,
in generous abundance during the morn
ing. Many ladies also kindly devoted
themselves to the task of arranging the
flowers into wresths and bouquets and 9TH
err devices as fancy and taste suggested.
The flowers were contributed from va
rious sources, but chiefly by Mrs. John B.
Page, Mrs. Charles Sheldon, Mrs. Ripley
and l.. G. Kingsley. Many of the offer
ings were sent in already arranged. no.
ticeable among which was beautiful flo
raj arch, from which was suspended star
composed of white blossoms, which was
received from Mrs. Sheldon.
The floral car was tastefully arranged
by forming large pyramid in the centre
with an evergreen decked with the
wreaths and bouquets, and one at each
corner, likewise graced with foral orna-
ments. The effect of the whole was quite
beautiful and attracted much admiring
comment. The car was drawn by a sim
gle horse, arrayed with plumes.
AT about half.past two, the procession
began to form in front of Railroad Square,
according to the following
PROGRAMME.
Band.
Post Roberts IA.
Floral offerings.
Clergymen in Carriages.
Orator and Committee.
Rutland Choral Society.
Military Companies.
Hibernian Society
Odd Fellows,
Rutland Fire Department.
Citizenspn foot.i
Citizens in Carriages. |
AT three o'clock the procession took up |
the line of march, under the lead of Major |
J. A. Salisbury as Chief Marshal, and Capt. |
O. H. Forbes and Capt. J. A. Goulding,
Assistant Marshals. 1t proceeded to the
West street cemetery, where pause was
made, and the band and the members OF
Post Roberts passed within the enclosure
The band then rendered Kelley's "Amer-
lean Hymn" with fine effect, after which
prayer was offered by Rev. J. Gibson
johnson. Rev. Edward Mills followed
with brief but eloquent and patriotic
address, of which the following is an alb.
stract:
MR.. MILLS ADDRESS.
We enter these silent habitations of the
dead, not az the representatives of party
or sect. but as the grateful debtors of the
noble heroes whose bodies hero root. awnit
ing the reveille OF the resurrection morn
my, whoee graves we cCme To decorate
aud whose memories we are pledged for
ever to embalm.
As Gods ancient people gathered at the
solemn feast of the Passover, they were
from year to year reminded of His severe
judgments and boundless grace. Il
was grateful commemoration of that
apsring mercy of God that had saved
them from the judgments inflicted upon
THERE nemies.
On the fifteenth of June the English ma
tion is awakened from its slumbers by
the boom of cannon, and when the ques
tion ia asked, "Why is all this demonstra-
tion 7" the answer ia that on this day the
glorious victory of Waterloo, that broke
tbe power of the first Napoleon, was won
by English valor.
On the Fourth of July our own land,
from east to west, joins in enthusiastic
demonstrations of r. joicing over the bless
ings OF freedom and liberty, because on
that day the declaration was made that
released us from allegiance to a foreign
power. And on that day we are reminded
of the dangers met and the privations en-
dured by those noble patriots who pur-
chased for US the precious boon of free
dom.
To-day we come, not with the thunder
Of cannon, but with floral tributes to dec
crate the graves of our brave soldiers who
fell in the later struggle of liberty. And
"a we cone we pledge ourselves anew to
cherish their memories and to keep fra
grant the recollection of their patriotic
valor and heroic endurance. As we gath
or around the graves of our brave dead,
we are again reminded of the greatness
of the cause they served, the struggles
through which they passed, the privations ,
they endured and the deaths they died
Ii il still in our minds what they suffered, ,
and we to-day rejoice in the fruits of their :
struggle. We should be the unworthy =
sons of worthy sires did we not cherish
the memory of these fallen heroes, and
transmit to our children the story of their !
deeds of bravery, asithe Hebrews handed
down from children to children the record
of Gods mercy toward them.
We can tell the pecuniary cost of the !
war by referring to the records of the =
treasury. but this was but small part of =
the cost. Who can estimate the cost of :
the blood and sufferings and tears which {
the or fiict occasioned Humes are DESC ,
late all over the land and hearts are
crushed with sorrow as the price of tn at ;
struggle. Within these sacred precincts {
we are led to review the terrible past, !
with mingled feelings of sorrow and graft.
tude; sorrow for the incalculable loss OF )
blood and treasure which it cost us :
gratitude for the great national blessings ,
which the fearful struggle procured. ]
cannot think that stand before anv who