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

| here in this broad and generous DOMAIN
here amid these rich memories; here
amid these fostering institutions, We
had grown to colossal greatness. we
were not without theory that notwith-
standing our moral and political compro-
misses, Notwithstanding our materialistic
bias, our greed for gain, the colossal bulki-
ness Of our accomplishments, our dizziness
to the highest sense of political and national
honor, there were still within us the posi-
bilities OF a citizen greatness. But We did not
know ourselves. In that dark hour did we
not distrust others Did not citizen distrusi
citizen? Did We not distrust our truest and
best? Did We not distrust ourselves,
even? Then uprcse these men to testify
what was in them, to testify that the he
public that fosters liberty, fosters also man
hood that the institutions that encourage
material enterprise and growth and thrifi
and gain, also foster respect for law and
government. and right and duty. Who were
these men? Not hirelings, but citizens. we
stood amazed that those We thought our
weakest and frailest, often our most lnslg-
nifcant, should develop a greatness so lar
beyond themselves, till we must confess
that while many went down before the cor
ruptions of war, the more arose to great
ness impossible in any other combination or
condition, and We must respect them not
only for what they did but for what they were;
They have told us of the possibilities oil
Republican patriotism but how have
these men verified it Without a national
| history running far back into dimness OF
time; without far-reaching antique trad
tions and customs and honors; without
nobility or privileged order; somewhat
deficient in historic days and in monu-
ments and memorials; without great
national songs, or great national lltera-
ture without great standing army
or navy to perpetually bespeak the necessity
| OF defence and sacrifice, or Tho pomp ana
circumstance of glorious war, without great
| splendor OF ceremony to impress the lmaSi-
| nation; without watchiul, hostile Toe
| across our border, demanding preparation
| for defence, one might say that there were
wanting some of the essential and vital
conditions of passionate loyalty. And
yet we were not without the theory that the
government that fosters manhood, fosters
patriotism also that the soil that gives
home and sustenance to 50 many hitherto
unblessed thousands should n0urish gen
erous, grateful patriotism. But when
the hour of trial came, how were We
thrown into doubt, confusion, almost de-
spair When the first shell snote Sum
lem upon us 1t was simply whether
republic has power to develop patriotism
adequate TO its defence Then uprose these
men to solve that problem; to testify that
the government that fosters manhood, in
deed fosters patriotism that the race that
has genius for politics has also a genius
for patriotism that like the free Frisians
and other free commercial people, the race
that has a genius for commerce and for
personal liberty. has also genius for
sacrifice that the men who know how
to live well upon their country
know well how to die for it.
But what of their achievement? To declare
its greatness were too great task for me.
| stand before 1t as before an ocean, till my
heart seems to heayc with its heavings. to
expand with its expansion, and to
lose itself in its boundlessness. What
have they not done for Us? No extrava-
gance could exaggerate it. After heaving
and quaking, threatening direst disruption,
we stand firm at last. What history they
have made Have they not reiashioned
nation? Have they not reglorifed CONT
nent Have they not IecOnsecrated a civi-
lization? Because of them country, loyalty,
law, liberty, justice, right, duty, manhood,
home. friends. civilization, will have new
anu HtIDtludttu ul4N1 Tue d-t
of ages Their work Is in possession of the
great forces of the social and political and
moral world which move on like the
forces that evolve and hold the material
worlds.
Come, then, ye living and show
yourselves worthy of the dead. Come
and lay yet loyal hands to push
on what they initiated-come here with
remembrances of those who yet linger
and bear honorable scars, OF the yet
sorrowtul homes, of the graves un-
honored, and Of which not man knows
or will know forever to quicken graft
tude-come and bring your choicest
flowers and freshest tears. Come
childhood. boyhood, maidenhood, woman
hood, manhood-you honor the men who
shall live forever If my poor words. pene
trating this summer air, shall tremble across |
the spaces of the universe, from star to star.
nor be wholly lost forever If Of these frail |
flowers no atom shall be lost. but shall |
mingie with the dust of their graves. shall /
not they I've on, travelling in the great
ness of their strength Here. then. again |
we give them greeting and benedictIOn |
but out into the immensIties again. we |
shout our farewell. They lose themselves
in the splendor of their achievement.
4. Hymn. They died for you and me- by the
Quar;ettc Club.
;. Decoration Of graves, conducted by Post Com
mander Warren Gibbs; Dlrgc by the Queen City
band.
t. At the close Of the ceremonies the colamu re-
formed, with It. Mary's Band on the right and the
line Of march from Green Mount was through Col
chester Avenue and Pearl street 10 Locust street
cemetery. The Dead March, was played N enter
M the Cemetery, by the st. Mays Band
Tho arlar ,fa xa-o,..,.