Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-06-03
And in so doing we

COuutIuOTsttc tuc pIcSCi fduoA VI Jul VA
tional Union. The general observance of
Independence Day has indeed fulfilled the
prophecy concerning it made by one of the
founders of our country. But notwith-
standing this, in the noise and tumult of
that day we had in some measure forgot
ten what the founding of the Union cost.
We need new memorial day and we have
it in this which gives us the remembrance
not of the union, but of the reuniting of
our land. The heritage bought with toll
and blood and transmitted to US, we are
privileged to pass on preserved by the
sacrifice of treasure, love and life.
Again today commentaries the remov-
al of the darkest stain upon our national
banner,-the stain of human slavery This
removal was not purposed by the South
or by the North at the beginning. 1t was
but slowly and though the blacklist dark
ness of war that the nation came to realize
and execute Gods purpose.
Not as we hoped; but what we?
Above our broken dreams and plans,
God lays, with wiser hand than mans
The cornerstone Of liberty"
During our war monarchists looked to
behold the failure of the experiment of re-
publican government. This day we COM
memorate the costly vindication of that
experiment, and see government by the
people fol-. the people firmly established,
and fast spreading beyond our borders.
We honor here the memory of the dead
whose lives We're an offering to their coun-
try. True, it is sweet to die for ones
country, but we must remember that there
is another truth besides that of the poet.
Life was as sweet. as full of all things
longed for, to those who gave it up as it is
to us. But they hesitated not to yield it.
These were the men whom Gods oppor-
tunities make heroes; and we do well to
stew their graves with flowers; it is but
adding like to like, for they were of liberty
81 the bright consummate flower
Those who sleep in nameless graves we
honor today. And remembering how
MANY of our brave soldiers sleep in the
far away south, we can but hope that many
will be there found who will, forgetting
the passions of the war, bring nature 5
gifts to their resting place. 1t Is good
time for Us to cultivate the virtue OF true
charity, to forget the asperities of strife,
and to cultivate at once the humanities and
arestored Union. The resolve oflast year
not to decorate the graves of southern
soldiers gives way this year before a
broader view and a more Christian spirit ;
spirit more pleasing to the Lord who
united us and by whose care only we shall
be kept.
Ex-Governor Dillingham; who was upon
the platform, at the urgent call of the
soldiers present, spoke few words that
went straight to the hearts of all.
The exercises at the hall closed with
music by the band, and the procession
then formed in the following order on
State street:
Montpelier Coraet Band.
Brooks Pof F, and other s9de aSd cno
st Jean Baptiste Society
Citizens.
The long procession then moved under
the direction of Gen. Pitkin, the Marshal,
and his assistants, Col c. b. Wilson and
| Capt. Geo. S Robinson, to Green Mount
| Cemetery. The services theresbegan with
a dirge from the band, after which Rev.
Mr. Spencer offered prayer. The senior
officers of Brooks Post then with appro-
pirate ceremonies placed flowers upon a
grave. the choir sang Our Braves" and
after the bcnediction by Chaplain Glazier,
the members of the Post proceeded to the
remaining graves of soldiers which they
decorated.
lie It1OCtSSltil llitu lC-lol ilCN' s@h't ~
by the St. Jean Baptiste Society proceeded
to the Catholic Cemetery There many
graves were decorated, the band playing q
dirge, and the choir singing 9 They dice
for YOU and me-" The other cemeterie:
We're visited by detachments, and the dec
orations at the Catholic Cemetery conclud
ed, the procession returned to the village
and the labor of love and remembrance
was done.
The music furnished by the band wa
creditable indeed to that organization ant
to its leader.
4 pleasant incident of the time, and one
worthy of record in this connection. wa
that well-known lady of this village mos
generously and thoughtfully obtained ;
large number of tulip bulbs, and canSe'
them to be presented to the widows of sol
diers who fell in the war for the Union.