Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-06-05

LOCUST STREET CENErARY

was as follows:
l. LYNN Rest, Soldier, Rest" by the Quar- tette
| sently sung.
2. Addres. by cx-Gov John Gregory Smith Of st.
Adams.
| ABSTRACT OF Gov SMITH : ADDRESS.
Gov. Smith in opening. alluded briefly to
the history of the Army of the Potomac.
during the first three years of the war, pre-
yiOus TO the consolidation with it Of the
Army OF the Cumberland. under Gen.
Grant In May, 81, its tedious duty of
| guarding the national capital was ex-
changed for the onward march from the
Rapidan TO Richmond. The Governor al
luded to a visit 10 the army during the
winter previous, and to his thoughts a. he
looked over the long lines of rebel entrench-
ments. and reflected on the thousands of
brave men that must perish ere those strong
barriers could be scaled and passed In the
struggle that followed, q hundred thousand
patriots fell, blessing with latest breath the
flag they loved so well. The speaker elo-
quently portrayed the manner in which the
Army of the Potomac accepted the dread
duty of surrounding and reducing the
rebel capital, and of vindicating law and
free government by the final overthrow of
the Confederate Army.
But not on the battlefield alone did our
soldiers display their heroism. To realize
their faith and devotion, one must have
witnessed their endurance in the hos
pitals. Gov. Smith here described
some OF the scenes in the great hospital at
fredericksburg after the battles of the VIII
derness. There thirty thousand brave BOYS
were stretched with nothing but the hard
hOor Tor their beds, and their knapsacks for
mil l.str IL
wounds and sufferings but of the progress
of the fight, and OF their faith in the final
triumph over treason. lie told Of a boy of
sixteen who fell shattered by Il shell, as he
struck down rebel who had seized the flag
from its standard bearer, and who gave
with dying breath to the Governor his last
message to his mother TELL her got nv
death in saving the old aag-she will be
proud to know it" Such examples and mem
ories should lead us, as we garland the
graves of the heroes, to renew our VOWS of
constancy to the Union and the flag. for
whose honor they died. The speaker pro-
ceeded to allude TO some of the moral and
patriotic lessons of the war its yindi-
cation of the civil liberty inherited
from the Pilgrims - its evidence of
the strength of our institutions and
OF the worth of our citizen soldiery-
above all its proofof the stability of our re-
publican government and its settlement of |
the problem OF a government of the people, |
For this the baptism in blood was necessary. |
Gov. Smith alluded to the brief doubts and |
fears with which President Lincoln issued |
his first proclamation for 10 900 volunteers,
as he had heard Mr.. Lincoln express them,
and how the shadow passed from his heart
as he found his confidence in the patriotism
of the people verified by their response to
his call
But the fierce ordeal passed, and hat was
an experiment has become a living fact.
The Union OF the States freed FROM this great
cause OF disturbance, will remain forever,
and the oppressed race will rise to the full
dignity ot citizenship. Years must yet
eapse before the complete restoration of
the country to prosperity and happiness
but time and good craftsmanship. under
Providence, will bring 1t about. Waiting
Tor the day oi universal concord in all
our borders, let us still celebrate with
recurring freshness and devotion the
lay which commentaries the valor and
patriotism of our soldiers. Nor yet to
hose alone whose graves are known and
marked, let us pay our tribute; but to those
llso who fell on distant fields, and whose
bones have never been covered
"HO liuSeTeu anu PeIisHeU III tut pTisou-
)ens in memory of all who died in the
rood cause let us sprinkle flowers, and COM
their deeds.
These shall resist the empire OF decay
When time is DER, and worlds have passed. away, |
'od in the dust, the persisted heart may lie
SUIT that which warmed it once, never die"
Both addresses were of high character and
we're listened to with the deepest attention.
During the forenoon committees of Post
itanpard decorated the soldiers graves in
AXE View, the Eldridge Street and Catho- :
ic Cemeteries.
The soldiers graves at both cemeteries
we're profusely and lastly decorated, but
zone more beautifully than those of Com
handler George NJ. Blodgett, U. S. N, Col.
saac B. Bowdish and Lieut.. Dwight S.
Ieald, at Green Mount, and that Of Lieut.. !
smes NJ. Read, at Locust Street.
Volunteer Uose exhibited for the first !
inc . new and very pretty order in /
Iarcbipg, being "iours, open ordsv,