Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-06-02

survey" Punctually at 8 they marched
into the hall, accompanied by the Fuller
drum corps, and commenced the evenings
performance by exhibiting their proficlen-
CIV In the manual of arms. The Guard DUR
ing the past season have been under the
able instruction Of Lieut.. Tottcn OF the reg
ular army, and IL was the fortune oil the
writer to witness the first efforts Of their in
structor, and so he can testify, as II were, |
or cdthedrd TO their very great improve
ment while under Lieut. Totten's charge.
If in the performance Of the manual there
was very slight degree of unsteadiness,
it was mainly TO be attributed to the fact
that many of the new members Of the corps |
were for the FIRST time under the fire of
public exhibition of their skill, and were |
evidently somewhat dlscomposed by the
raking volleys of glsnces shot at them by
the fairer portion of the audience on the
platform, more deadly, perhaps, than their
own discharge either by file or by platoon.
To the manual succeeded the usual evolu-
lions of company drill. These were most
excellently performed and would have done
honor to a corps OF veterans. The march
ing was even and precise, the distances well
preserved, while the guides and subalterns
showed themselves proficient and exact in
their various duties, and the men stepped
out with life aud precision, frequently clio
Hing in the more intricate movements the
hearty encomiums of the spectators. They
were then thrown out as skirinishers, and
having by this time become more accus-
toned 10 the novelty of theft situation, they
executed the manual with much more ease
and exactitude than at first. They finally
went through the ceremonies of guard
mounting, and though somewhat cramped
by the narrow limits of the hall, succeeded
in giving faithful and correct representa-
ton of that, to outsiders, military mystery.
What was still more noticeable than the
many excellences of drill and discipline in
the command, was the fine personnel and
military bearing of the men, and their quiet
and gentlemanly demeanor when not in
line. We congratulate Capt. Estey on his
success and wish him and the Guard a most
enjoyable time during their coming visit TO
the Centennial Exposition. They may, and
probably will, meet there older organiza-
| tons who will equal aud perhaps surpaSs
| their military skill, but We feel assured
| that none will excel them in modcsty and
| correctness Of department, or by uniform
good conduct, whether in or out of the
ranks, reflect greater credit on the place
from whence hey come. G. A. NJ.
DECORATION DAY.
The ceremonies appropriate 10 Decora-
ton Day were duly observed by Sedgwick
Post OF the Grand Army Of the Republic,
assisted by the Esley Guard, Meacham
| drum corps, and citizens. Although there
|
| casions, and the observances we're Of more
inexpensive character, 1t was evident that
whatever was done came from the heart,
| and the people attesied their interest in the
commcmoratiou exercises by a large at
tendance, both from this aud adjoining
| towns. Tho weather was delightful, the
bright sunshine and cool, invigorating air
leaving nothing to be desired. The process
sion was formed ut the town hall at O'Clock
p. NJ, and moved TO the cemetery in the
following order:
Marshal and aids
Music.
| Estey Guard.
| Orator, clergy and Glee Club.
Sedgwlck Post G.. a. II.
Old Soldiers and Sailors.
Minute guns wero fired from the depot
grounds while the procession was en- route
TO the cemetery. On arriving at the ceme-
terry the exercises opened with singing by
the Estey Guard Glee Club-"Brave SOL
der Boys !" prayer was offered by Chap
lain Mack, the Glee Club sang lode TO
the Brave" and Rev. Horace Burchard,
orator of the day, then delivered the follow
ing address;
81 fIaf n
and Jeliop citizens:
1 hope that the day is far distant, the
year far remote, when this shall cease TO be
an annual observance. We have more or
less private memorial days which we keep
faithfully; we are entitled TO our personal
calendars of sad and sacred remembrances.
1t is possible that some spend too much
time in weeping over their dead past; thus
the memory may become but cemetery
for dead hopes. There are those who in
| sist upon gathering all the flowers that
bloom along our pathways that they may
lavish them over the graves Of buried af-
fiction and vanished beauty. We have, as
yet, none too many public memorial days.
Our short national history is grand, sub
| lime; worth remembering, worth trans
hitting 10 the future, But in this practical,
iron age how rapidly the events and per-
sonages, even Of the immediate past, go
from recollection. How fast our grand
armies of invincible veterans Folded their
I
away" to be lost in the ranks of private
and peaceful citizenship. There was time
when we counted our great generals and
captains by scores and hundreds. Within
less than a dozen years we can hardly re-
member n dozen of tho illustrious names
that we surely thought belonged TO the
supposed Immortality of fame. Whether
dead or living, they are,dead TO popular re-
membrance, and rs eieclually buried as
was Moses, for none know their sepulchers.
All honor to the man or woman who first
thought of this decoration day, for while
we honor the dead, we keep fresh and beau
tiful in memory their love of home, coun-
try and liberty. All hail this day that fills
our hearts with unutterable emotions and
dims our eyes with Tears, as we hallow in
recollection the great army OF the unre-
turning brave. The first day ever saw
this beautiful town it was invested with
| something of the circumstance, il not the
pomp of waE; and ''there was hurrying to
and fro," and "there were partings such as
press the life from out young hearts," In
the light of rebel camp-ires l had already
looked into the faces of brave men, but
was gathering here, from The mountains
and hill-sides, from the valleys and glens
of this Green Mountain State.
Liberty has always cost treasure and
blood the best treasure of loving hearts,
the blood of tho nations hest life. l think
1t was Robert Toombs of Georgia who said
he would drink all the blood that would be
shed in the then impending civil war. He
was something OF statesman, but poor
prophet No nobler blood was ever shed,
aud none was more freely offered, than that
of the patriot sons who rallied for the de-
| fence of the glorious nag of their fathers.
| fol l,n fall Of aNtnt