Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-29
OBSERVE DECORATION DAY.

We should not, ordinarily, deem it
necessary to call the attention Of our
fellow citizens to the due observance OF
Memorial or Decoration Day, which oc-
ours on Friday of this week. The Gus
tom of strewing the graves of our fall
len braves with the freshest garlands,
has been handed down from remote an
tiQuity, and commends itself both to our
judgment and feelings. 1t needs no
words from us to enforce the duty or to
depict the beautiful symbolism of the
custom. 1t would seem that the sweet
persuasion of the memory of those so
fondly loved and so early lost would
lead all to take part in the appropriate
ceremonies of the day, and see to it that
not Single grave is neglected. We be
deck the heTo's grave with evergreen
wreath and amaranth garland that we
may testify that we cherish the memory
of those who died that we might live.
We minister, in this simple ceremony,
,,ot % the unnumbered dead but to our
selves We typify the mortality of man
and the imnr ortality of principle. When,
with an unsell'Sh patriotism, these our
brothers exchanged the quiet walks OF
civil life to don the pal,ephernalia Of war,
we registered VOW in thelr presence
and that of Heaven, that their memory
should be to us as apples of gold and
vessels of silver, but we have tu'hlleo
our promises, only in part 1t was
natural and proper that, i'll communities
wherein they existed, the comrades OF
the Grand Army of the Republic should
take if upop themselves to lead in the con
duct and control these ceremonies, thai
they might, thereby, keep ever green inc
memory of their fallen comrades II
arms, and, at the same time, draw fresl
| inspiration from their graves to keel
ever alive the fires of patriotism in tht
| future. This action, on their part, sc
appropriate and becoming, has lad to
natural, but groundless, misapprehen
sion in the public mind, They need ~
summons to call them from their stores
shops, farms, offices, for q brief day, tina
they may recount the deeds of thel
brothers, rejoice that they died not II
vain. and garland their graves witt
flower and shrub. And why should we
Are they not, too, our brothers? Aye
they were more than brothers, for on
and all of them performed for US tn
highest and most sublime act that it l
possible for man to do. They gave III
their lives for us. Ought we no
to honor their memory and annu
ally, at least, mark our apprecla
ton of the grand sacrifice by s
simple - yet expressive an act.
identifying their last resting places wit
the choicest offerings of Spring. Th
grave of every soldier in Vernon
should be made beautiful and fragrar
on Friday. We owe it to ourselves, t
opr untitled vows, to the memories 9
the past, and hope of the future, that
shall not be left undone. We have n
fears that this be win nnpreformedHn VI
lages and towns where the Grand Arm
of the Republic exists. They will see
it that not grave within their reach
unmarked. In other communities Il
same duty remains to be discharged
We trust that our fellow citizens in ever
town in the State will consider it dut
and privilege, thus to honor themselv'
and the heroic dead. Hardly villae
, or hamlet in the State but has its 10
ones. and every burial place contain
their lifeless remains. Strew their grave
then, with freshest garlands. Wait n
e for pomp, parade or orator, but perior
s the simple act as you would on y
$ grave of your lost child. Music al
S speeches are appropriate and becomln
d hut not necessary. Even if their pre-