Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-11-13

dens and griefs were felt in every commu-
nifty as the common interest in II Is so all
embracing, it cannot be out OF place Tor
any one that has worn the army blue 70
take part in the emotions and exercises OF
an occasion like this. All who have shared
the perils and sacrifices of solder lie
may always be sure OF soldier hospl,
tality. Their experiences OF camp ana
march of sun and storm of battle cry
and bayonet charge of hunger and thirst
and exposure of hospital and oil prison
pen the memories of fallen comrades
the remembrance of hours when We laced
death and bore the flag to victory together,
have bound the soldiers of the Union IN
a common brotherhood.
Since it was not for him to speak OF the
deeds in which the Vermont soldiers bore
so honorable a part, be would speak O,
some of the duties still devolying on all
alike.
When President Lincoln-blessed be his
memory Applause summoned the people OF
the North to arms, and from workshop and
farm and college came forth the men 10
defend the flag, to those who enrolled them
selves il was promised, that they should De
sustained in the field that they should ne
honored living, and that dying, their memo
ries should be cherished. and their loved
ones not left TO want. Ia their care OF the
soldiers, the people were true to their
pledges. The Christian and Sanitary Com
missions were organized in iulfment Of
them. and their history has became part OF
the Nations history. Every soldier bears
in grateful remembrance their tender care.
But at the close of the war these organlza-
tons were dissolved. The strong will Of
the people relaxed The burdens Of the
debt began to be felt, and there was dan
ger of forgetting some of the promises to
the soldiers. which can be fulfilled only
when the last veteran has been gathered TO
his fathers. From this state OF things
arose the organizations of soldiers Tor the
relief of needy comrades and their families
Most of these in time were abandoned. bat
one. the Grand Army OF the Republic, re-
mains, its permsnence being largely due
TO the exclusion of politics. There should De
no jealousy of such an organization. IhOse
who cannot say "comrade, can hardly IN
derstand the tie it embodies. But Tor the
men who fought with Hooker, and Meade
and Grant and Sheridan for the sailors
who manned the Hartford under tarragut,
or sank the Alabama under Nlns!Ow, or
fought on the old Cumberland in Hampton
Roads till she went down with the stars and
stripes flying from her topmast, the word
comrade has a meaning growing closer and
dearer as the years go by.
Ii has been said that these soldiers socie-
ties and reunions and soldiers monuments
tend to prevent reconciliation between me
sections. and to keep alive the hostility TO-
ward those who wore the gray. We GER
tainly cannot forget, but we can and 90
| forgive those who fought u, and we Iook
hopefully forward TO the time when blue anc
gray shall realize that the results OF the war
mean the advancement of every Class and
| every section alike, and the guaranty OF
good government and equal rights South as
well as North The preservation Ot haI-
mony does not necessltate the sacrlhce oil a
/ lust pride. nor Of the conviction tnat we
were right in the struggle. and our oppo-
rents wrong. The war has clearly proved
the existence among the people OF senii-
ment Of profound patriotism, wholly distinct
| from partnership. and the glorious objects
| for which our soldiers fought deserve To be
/ kept alive in every heart.
Major ChildS went on TO urge generous
| support of the militia, recalling the prompt
march Of the ssachusetts militia 10 the
| defence of Washington. at the opening oil
/ the war. and the relief OF the North. when
/ it found that there were loyal regiments
ready Tor service
He also urged the dutY OF care Oh
/ the crippled soldiers, and widows anu or
/ phans, made such by the war. Monuments
/ and memorial Halls may eyince appreciation
/ OF the valor of our soldiery. yet these sternei
| duties OF relief u the suffering living art
not the les absolute and binding
lie feelngly alluded to the prIyatlon- and
J no willingly NIrun
! by the women vt the land, in sending then
/ loved ones 10 the war; and to the heroe'
who died in the prison pens at tae south
and whose graves no tomb stones designate
/ There are thousands OF homes that would b'
/ less desolate. and tens of thousands oil
hearts whose anguish would be les bitter
! if they only might know where their herOe'
| lie buried. Fathers, mothers and loved one
yearn for some one spot IN all the Worl-
sacred to the memory OF their lost To then
| but little Of consolation can De Afforded
save to assure them that the lives OF theii
dear ones were true, the cause i1r Nhlei
they died glorious, and point them TO hln
Who has promised to be the Nv ldOw : GJ-
and rhe Father of the tatherles,- But {,
| long a. there shall live one OF the race Nht
bv their Efforts were lifted from bondage t.
freedom, 20 long shall their deeds be record
ed and their names be blessed.
Comrades, Oar army l. marching on
Shot and shell no more may declmate oul
ranks One by one the men who stood
together IN the war. shall reunlte IN th'
Eternal Army. Ga each succeeding Mean
orial Day new graves will be found Tor de
coration. until in the by and by few ole
men with feeble steps shall gather IN oai
church-y ards. and lay with tender, trem6
ling hands upon their comrace's graves tht
tribute of their faithful love.
II the man i here, tonight. who >ha-
/ prove to be the las: survivor, let him moi
forget to tell our children's children how
our brave boys died, and teach them thu
value of the Republic they saved.
God grant the bugle call may summon u:
| no more to conflict: but We must not prove
recreant to the duties Of to-day. tie only ha'
filed the obligations of his service wht
holds steadiast to his duty TO his comrade
TO the lonely and desOlate whose dear one
died in the service, and to the country re
deemed by their blood, and cnnobled bY
their heroism.
New occasions teach new duties,
Tine makes arc.ens good uncouth
They must onward, stall and upward,
nh0 would keep a breast 70. ruth.
Major Childs Is a very effective speaker
lie has a clear and penetrating voice, spoke
with hardly anv recurrence 10 his notes, and
his easy and earnest delivery gave full effect
to theroundei periods and graceful rhetoric
Of his address. He was frequently and
warmly applauded At the close, on motion
of Col. Veazey, it was voted that the thanks
of the society be rendered to Major Child,
for his able and eloquent discourse, and
that he be requested to furnish a copy Of il
for publication.
The assemblage tien filed out from the
hall the officers forming in procession again
in order by regiments. and marched to the
familiar tune of Dixie" to Bishops Hotel.
The citizens OF Montpelier, who appeared
to take unusual interest in the occasion,
enlivened the march by a national salute of
cannon, and the boys lit the way with a
bonfire, at the junction of State and Main
streets.
THE SUPPER.
At nine clock the dining hall Of Bishop :
Hotel was thrown open and was speedily
filled. The hall retained the decorations
described in our notice Of the Cavalry re-
union. with the addition Of some others
specially designed for the occasion. \ large
number of the wives and sisters of the Off
GERS graced the tables by their presence.
Probably hundred and fifty persons sat
down to the supper, one of the largest and
best gatherings known in the history Of the
society. The only drawback was the insult
fcient size and height Of the hall. With
all possible crowdins, there were not quite
seats enough for all; but all were in good
humor, and all seemed to enjoy the festivi-
ties to the full. The supper was ample and