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


beautiful floral crosses dedicated to 9Th
i Unknown" contributed by Mrs. Ripley
marked the speakers stand. The larg
audience taking position around tn
speakers stand and order being restored
the Choral Society gave the followin.
hymn, in a very graceful and efectiv
manner
| Sweet music on the morning air we hear,
Blending its soft and tender strains;
Now waited grandly off, now swelling near,
! Now trembling with its sad refrains.
| They come, they come with gsrlands fresh an
fair,
| They come, they come with measured tread
| Filling with fragrance all the echoing air.
And sprinkling flowers DER the dead
Where comrades sleep their last long sleep c
death,
The country's flag above them waves
| A grateful land their annual requiem saith,
Pausing in grief around their graves.
They come, they come with garands fresh ant
fair,
1ney COME Iuey come Win measured Ireau
Filling with fragrance all the echoing air,
And sprinking flowers DER the dead.
o country late baptized in fire and blood,
Never let thou their mem'ry die;
Never forget how like wall they stood,
| Nor where in silence low they lie.
They come, they come with garlands fresh an(
fair,
They come, they come with measured tread
Filling with fragrance all the echoing air,
And sprinklipg flowers Ger the dead.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. W
P. Aiken.
Major Salisbury, then introduced
George II. Bigelow, Esq, of Burlington
as the orator of the occasion. We give 6
brief abstract of
MIR. BIGELow's GRAFTON.
Comrades, citizens and friends lis il
not holy day that brings US together
Not in the mere religious sense of con.
secrated day handed down through all
time, like the revered anniversary of the
nativity of Jesus, or the welcome celebra.
ton of the birth of the new year, which
Christians of whatever cline and creed
have We'd with each other to honor but
day of memories of patriotism, of virtue
and long suffering for it, of noble souls,
and the good the sacrifice of their lives
achieved. This is what sanctifies our me-
mortal day. and gives it claim to the
name of holy-day. In higher and broad
er sense does this almost closing day of
that genial and happiest of the months
possess the same relation to the war for
the union of these United States, that the
fourth of July does to keeping in mind
amongst US the Declaration of 1ndepen-
dence that first taught conservative free
dom the union of liberty and law to the
world, and the struggles of our reVolu-
tionary sires.
Humble comrade as am l believe
that you so consider it p; and that such if
not now is soon to be the feeling of the
nation. Everything conspires toward it.
The better feelings of humanity demand
it. Religion almost claims this day as
her own. The Hottest praise advocates
it. The grandest poetry lends its aid to
its Observance.
like not we'll the christening of this
holy-day, decoration day. 1t carries not
to me the force that this day, with its sim
pie ceremonies and services Of sorrow
should bring to all concerned. 1t is pure.
ly day of memory and though the dec
orations are tie choicest gift of affection
of those in whose remembrance the sain.-
ed dust pays the last resting place, still
they do not express the idea in its entire
ty. The day means to the people prec-
ious memorial of the names of the brave
and Just who fell for the ends they ar
rived at, "their country's, their Gods and
truths" 1t bids them live to fame.
Reverently then, my comrades, do l
Join with you to-day in this resting place
of the dead, 30 beautifully baptized after
that tree so typical of immortality but for
words of eloquent eulogy look not to me.
Hardly is a eomrade before me who is not
my peer in experience of war in all Its
phases of defeat and victory, of sorrow
and rejoicing, of elevation, of service and
claims for public honor and esteem. Why
should I not hesitate at this hour with
the graves of these dear comrades about
me, to even attempt the feeblest tribute
70 these soldiers who died for the Repub-
lie? Most feelingly do l speak it when
I saw shrink from the task, which COM
rades of this glorious Order of the Grand
Army of the Republic, which has done,
does and will continue to do so good a
work in carrying out the heaven-born
principles of its IN ito, fraternity, Char
Ity and Loyalty" have seen fit to call on
ne thus to perform.
with uncovered head
Salute the sacred dead,
Who went, and who return not
Say not sol
lis not the grapes of Canaan that repay,
But the high faith that failed not by the way
Virtue treads paths that end not in the grave;
No ban of endless night exiles the brave;
And to the saner mind
We rather see IA the dead that stayed behind
Blow, trumpets, all your Civilizations blow!
For never shall their AZURE oiled presence lack!
see them muster in cleaning row,
With ever youthful brows that nobler show;
We find in our dull road their shining track;
In every nobler mood
We feel the orient of their spirit glow,
Part of our lifes unalterable good,
If all our saintier aspiration;
They come TRANSPORTED back,
Secure from change in their high hearted ways |
Beautiful evermore, and with the rays
Of morn on their white Shields of Expectation
, That wonderful commoner of Pennsyl-
,ania. yet Vermont born, Thad Stevens,
" a clause in his will bequeathed a sum
# money to be annually expended in COW
ring his mothers grave as he quantity
,hrased it, with roses and other cheerful
lowers" And if so stern and eccentric q
nan, q patriot in civil life. thus gave
orce and expression to his love fer his
,indred. How still more beautiful and |
ii it is for us to bedeck with flowers the
.raves of our fathers and brothers who
lied that the nation might live. What
better language can be chosen for our
yrief or our appreciation of the virtues of
he loved and gone:
There's language in the flowers
Bend over them when the sunbeams warm
Their bosoms to the charm
That wakes to life their budding youth,
They speak of love and hope and truth,
And on the air their breath tones CULVER"
The air with angels breath aeems am