Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-06-02
Decoration Day.

| the trand Army, OF the Hibcrniah bcneNoieh' AZ
ISOLATION, and A. private individuals united In TIN
tender acts Of commemoration, which give the IN
to the ancient saying that republics are ungntofui
and too soon forget the services Of their sons.
Saturday was a beautiful spring day, and ths
warm sun drew almost everybody out Of doors
The proceedings were under the charge Of Post
Brooks Of the Grand Army Of the Republic, and
included professional march to the cemetery, "a
Grafton by General Stephen Thomas and the de
eoration Of the heroes graves. Az two o'clock IL
the afternoon the procession was formed on Stat.
street in front OF the State House grounds, in the
following orderi
General ?. ?. phkn. Marshal.
Captain George 4. Robinson. Assistant Marshal.
Carriage with aoral offerings.
Carriage containing the Ladies Committee
| Carriage with Choir.
Carriage With Disabled soldiers.
| Montpelier Cornet Band '. r. Grant, Leader
Post Brooks. No 49, Grand Army Of the Republic. Captain
}. o Livingston. Commander.
Ilbernisn Benevolent Association. NJ. Kane Commander
Citikens In carriages.
Tie procession, the band playing martial airs,
marched 10 Green Mount Cemetery, and entered
by the southwest gate thence to tho central gate,
near which convenient spot had been selected
for the exercises The exercises were begun by J..
o Livingston, Commanderof the Post, in the ritual
Of the Grand Army Rev Mr.. Spencer, the Chap
lain Of Post Brooks then offered fcryent prayer,
which was followed by singing by the choir,
consisting Of Mr. Fred Bancroft, Mrs. Fannie
wheatlsy, Miss Ida Hill aud Mr. James r sabln-
and music by the band. General Thomas then
delivered his Grafton.
GENERAL THOMAS GRAFTON
NJ. Commander, comrades Of Post Broots, and
feilotc citizens
As ! contemplate the occasion and the events
which conduced TO the establishment Of this
National Memorial Day, | would that II had
fallen 70 ADLER minds 20 have addressed you
TO have broken the silence as we are standing
amongst the graves Of these brave patriots who
have fought their last battle, who have crossed
the river Of death and sleep in silence here.
When we contemplate the principles for which
they fought their devotion to their country, to
justice, liberty and equality and the great and
glorious cause for which they fell, language fails
Us 10 delineate their virtues
In addressing you upon this occasion, and taking
a brief review of the past rs we may have oeca-
sion 10 do. object should not be n foster bick
erings and animosities and keep alive a rebeous
spirit; nor can speech avail anything to these
sleeping heroes; but 1t should have tendency to
instil into the minds Of the young who are soon
70 conduct the affairs Of this great nation, love
and devotion to country. when they learn Of the
immense sacrifice that it has cost those who have
preceded them the loss OF friends and wealth,
the rivers Of blood that have flown and the count
less treasures that have been expended to estab-
lish, maintain and pcrpstuaie the great principles
Of liberty, freedom and equality Knowing what
] Il. t1,at
these principles to die ont or be impaired? tell
you nay But they will as their fathers have
done, pledge their fortunes, their sacred honors
and their lives 10 perpetuate and transmit these
institutions unlmpaired to geneations yet unborn.
| And We trust that they will not only maintain
them uniinpaired, but that they may learn wisdom
from the past as to be able To avoid the shoals
and rocks and the dangers Of shipwreck which we
have so recently and so narrowly escaped at such
a frightfu cost and sacrifice
Liberty Fon ALI
In order to avoid the dangers we should not
/ permit the cause to exist. The cause which pro-
duced the recent stupendous rebellion is plain and
self-eSdent, and most emphatics.ly illustrates the
doctrine that the sins Of the fathers shall be
visited upon the children. Had the trainers Of the
constitution kept in view, and embodied in that
/ instrument the principle that God hath made Of
one blood all nations Of men to dwell on all the
face Of the earth, and that all men are created
/ eqnal, and are endowed with certain inalienable
/ rights among which life, liberty and the pur-
suit Of happiness the dark wings OF rebellion
never, no, never would have hoyered over this
fair republic! But instead thereof they recognized
slavery by law, and in order to make it perpetual
the South seeded, and made war upon our M
tional flag. The tocsin Of alarm was sounded by
the lanented Lincoln.
GBEES MOUNTAIN BOYS
I In oheiioncs to his aaii Loyal uen rushed To
TO fields OF danger.
Swift as the summons came they left
The rlow. mhi-furroW, standing still
Tho half eround eorn-srist In the mill.
Tie spade In earth the axe in cleft
They where duty seemed to call.
They scarcely asked the why;
They only knew they could but die,
And death was not the worst Of all"
Yes, they left home and loved ones, and all the
endearments Of life. They left these green hills
with moistened eyes as they faded from their
/ sight, and rushed to the tented field Dangers
stood thick through all the ground but dangers had
no terroIs for them" To make this a land Of free
dom and equal rights to ALL the oppressed Of every
cline, they met the enemies Of their country face
to face They fater not but like brave heroes, no
bly, perform their every duty, whether in the long
and weary marches under the burning sun Of the
South for days together, OF on the picket line in
pelting storm. often in the darkness OF the night
they guard the line, and eagerly and an xiously list
enng To every sound, they hear the rattle OF mus
/ kerry in the distance. The long roll beats the
boys in blue are quickly all in line, with muskets
firmly grasped The yells Of the enemy make
night hidcous, and the morning dawn is ushered
in with the rattling Of musketry, and showers Of
lead kissing through the air like fiery serpents
the screeching of shells and booming Of
cannon. The loyal troops move steadily and
firmly to the front and turn back the swelling
surgcs, until victory perches upon the star
span.led banner.
AFTER THE BATTLE
l,,lf a hon. he. L..