The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-31

of the noble dead of our nations later years,
we, the comrades of the fallen, can in all
modesty and without thought of self, point
with proud finger to yon hillside graves,
and call upon our parents, brothers, sisters,
friends, to join with us as we honor and
admire the heroism that urged those noble
| spirits to their death. Theirs was true
| courage, born of keen intelligence, de-
voted TO noble end. The fear of dis
membered country, of shattered nation,
of dishonorable overthrow OF all our
| fathers had 30 fondly builded with prayers
and life blood, the preservation OF our
Union in all its integrity, as queen
among the nations, with the dark stain OF
slavery wiped away, and with freedom in
| fact and ia truth its motto. such were
| the impulses which nerved our sons in a
wonderful union of voluntary and enthusi-
sstc determination, under no stress save
the moral compulsion of patriotic zeal
which inspired them, youth by youth and
man by man, to enter their names upon
their country's muster roll and devote their
future to the daily facing of grim death.
How CALAMITY these noble dead marched
southwark with us, side by side how pa
tiently they labored in the camp and in the
trench, and on the weary march how
sternly they faced the fury of the battle,
and how meekly they bore the insidious
malaria, even more cruel than the fight
how nobly they persevered while LIES
candle ever so dimly burned, triumphing
TO the last in their country's victories. We
need feel no surprise at the worthy pinnacle
on which our countrymen have placed our
neighbors and our comrades; they have
justly earned their honorable graves, and
we feel it to be but ecanty honor that we
seek to do them as we faithfully observe
this springtide anniversary. AS we go
from hence to our annual duty let us re-
member that our country, once torn, is
now whole, and that the days are long
since past when the nations Of the earth
could say to US with scorn, "Your liberty
ia but n mockery, your freedom but
word" Let us in each coming year re-
member that this glorious result, now
scarcely thought Of unleos under tho sug-
gestion OF this yearly ceremony, is here
wildly presented as the honorable justfica
tion of the noblest source Of courage, the
love of free country and of Gods truth
At Ludlow.
Not as thorough and extensive prepare
ton was made for the observance of
Decoration day at this place this year as
formerly. But 1t was not allowed to 60
by default. Heretofore, the commemora-
ton exercises have been under the direc-
tion and auspices of Howard Post, an Or
ganiz alton made up of soldiers who have
seen actual service. We are informed that
this organization is not at pre.ent in opera
ton, which will account in part, perhaps,
for the lessened efforts put forth the pres
ent year. The day, certainly, was all that
could be desired.
Early in the morning, large flag, APP
propriately draped, was suspended across
Main street, nearly opposite the Ludlow
wooden mills. 1t made fine appearance
from its new and lofty position, two mag
nlticent poles having been erected, between
which it was suspended. The procession
formed in front of Hammond Hall at 2
o'clock p. IN. 1t consisted Of respectable
number of veterans, the Independent Or
der OF Good Templars, the Alert fire CON-
pany in full uniform, one or more schools,
besides citizens generally. r. Z. Hathern
acted as marshal, in place of DR.. ]. II. Put
nam, originally selected, but who was un-
able to fill the position on account of indis-
position. The procession was preceded
by martial music, which wildly recalled
olden times, when this style OF music on
all public occasions was the especial at
traction. Arriving at the cemetery, the
exercises commenced by an invocation by
Rev. l.. E. Rockwell, Of the Methodist
Episcopal church, followed by singing,
with organ accompaniment, by repre-
sentatves from the several church choirs
of the place. Remarks were then made
by the Rev. L. E. Rockwell poem by
G. s. Mason, esq., was then recited by
that gentleman, after which remarks fol-
lowed by the following persons, in the order
of their names: Capt. L. Z. Sherman, Rev.
II. Il. Whitney, pastor of the Universalist
church, d. G. Hacket, editor of the Black
Rirer Gazette Rev. II. Clark Robbins, E
j. Whitcomb, esq, and Capt. E. A. Howe.
Considering that the exercises were next
to impromtu, if not entirely so, we think
it must he conceded, that as whole, they
we're all that could be reasonably expected.
Of course, the beautiful and Impressive GER
emsny of decorating each soldiers grave,
was appropriately observed, the floral trib-
utes being very profuse, considering the
backwardness of the present season. If any
part of the exercises should be especially
| emphasized, we think it is the singing,
which formed no uncomfortable part Of the
programme, being literally interpreted
| between the other exercises. Altogether,
We think Decoration day received suitable
ind appropriate recognition the present
year, as heretofore at this place.