Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-06-06

The presence of the Mt Zion Commandery,
Knights Templar. great addition to the APP
pearance OF the procession, and the members Of
the Post duly appreciate their willingness to as
sist in the successful carrying out of the pro-
gramme.
Those having the matter in charge, and Post
Brooks in general, are to be congratulated on the
manner in which the affair was conducted We
venture to say that in no town in the state was
the day observed more generally or more success
fully
The address of Hon. George II. Bgelow, of
Burlington, was a most excellent one, and was
enjoyed by all who heard it. We give below "A
brief abstract of his remarks:
MR. BlGELow's ADDRESS
Comrades and Friends This is a blessed time
1t demonstrates that the patriots grave is not
forgotten, but that comrades-in-arms gather about
it to offer tenderly the pledges of loyal and
sodery affection; to strew the purple panses of
patriotic remembrance, and the glowing roses of
grateful honor upon graves of companions of the
camp and the field, which, were it not for this hal
lowed observance, would be unmarked and for
gotten.
And what were the characteristics of the Ameri-
CAN YOUNGER soultIs DN WnOst lDuf years Ol
valor and endurance much was accomplished
for liberty and union? The bulk of them were
not literally educated yet they were strongly up
in the ethics of party politics, read newspapers
with discrimination and were surprisingly familiar
with public affairs. Now it was the intelligence
which backed up, as it were, the bravery OF this
silent host of dead that lie in the cemeteries of
this fair land to-day that brought to successful
au issue the terrific contest upon American soil
between slavery and freedom What
noble courage shown too in the cruel war by
those who were made free by it, "Ihe colored
troops fought nohly" is not all n bar-room joke
History shows it to be n grand fact. With what
iauntless step these black patriots pressed for
ward after the coors they greeted as the sure sign
by which they shonld conquer their freedoln
Comrades OF the Grand Army our order has a
trinity of purpose in its consttuiion-fraternitv,
charity and loyalty; purposes which it il legiti-
nate we should consider mt this time assembled
Is we are amid the gravesof those men who " set
their lives ON this dear stake of liberty" First,
Is to fraternity; The union of soldiers in COM
pact an organization as ours has kept alive the
educating influences Of the war. From our
fraternity comrades, naturally grows true Chris
| tltn enthusiasm. NtItlntulDtt the ntIDlt
that have fallen, under whom we have fought,
md the brave comrades who fell at the front of
the battalion seeking no bed but glory. Thus
| initiating our martyr brothers whom we honor
to-day let us in the spirit of fraternity preserve
| in all our communion with each other that eager
earnestness that fervent pouring out of the best
| feelings, which make their lives so respendtn mt in
| their death.
To fraternity naturally succeeds charity a
leading idea of our organization. The soldier on
the eve of battle takes his comrades hand aud
confides to him the last message for the dear
ones at home, That message is likewise for us
For in us reposes the confidence of our dead com
rade, that those who depended upon him should
ever in time of need look to for succor and sup
port The renewal of our old attach
ments and associations is nothing to the prac
tce of this virtue of charity. To us chiefly be
longs to alleviate the sorrows of the soldier,
widow and orphans, Benevoence to him OF ou
own organization who is sick and in want is alsc
a cardinal tenet of our creed Have we, as
state as well as an organization, properly cared
for the crippled and poverty stricken soldier
Are not too many of the heroic volunteers to tn
ranks Of the army left to depend upon that pub
lie charity which dispenses itself through the I'm
pleasant hospitality of the poor-house? This i
a shameful condition of fittings, and should speedily
be remedied.
The third heroic attribute of our order is loyalty
As we stand by these graves to-day, should W
not dedicate ourselves anew, comrades to scrupu
lous faithfulness To this grand idea? Could W
bring more reproach upon our dead comrade
than by breaking our fealty to the republi
and the cause for which they died? We hay
ascertaned that loyalty admits of no dstinctio
of color, and those who sought equally to say
the republic must alike have equal rights,
Ancient and beautiful is this custom of strev
ing flowers on the graves of the dead. Wht
more lovely expression Of affection for them
! The beauty OF a floral gift is its simplicity
The air with angels breath seems embalmed
p the perfume of these flowers blows DER the ha
+ lowed resting-places of the dead Shakespeal
: wrote, three hundred years ago. "The touch
nature makes the whole world kin" So nov
1 do we performing this simple ceremony of dec
G ration covering with freshest flowers and wreatl
e the graves OF our companionsin-arms, drop Il
Il silent tear, and dwell in memory upon the
u bravery and virtue These graves about
) he strewn with the flowers of spring give fulne
VI Nbni'iN anu W NNt slllVkt
Il souls of bereayed wife, aged father, Teyer,
d mother, sister, and perhaps another dearer sti
II They give greater zeal to our loyalty, and nal
q us love more fondly the Puritan New EnglaI
=, that sent us forth To battle The patriot
i efforts of loyal people during the war shou
s. never be forgotten; and ii is fitting that one d.
lie in the year should be set apart to keep the
10 fresh in the hearts Of all am glad that V,
le mont, true To the Union in the fight for the
h flag, has made this a legal holiday, when I
rs everyday work ia suspended, and the day deyot
u TO reyerent respect for the nations dead
~ Yes, my comrades, the beautiful work of Il
r day serves To kindle anew the fires OF PATRIOTS
~ In our hearts. The preservation of the memo
M Of the brave men who died Tor their country,
y Justice and for right, keeps noble thoughts abo
J, us, and drives away thelow passions which
NJ often sway us mortals Every garland Of iiowt
r. we have strewn on our comrades graves tod
ls represents good sentiment, Every heroic de
4, OF the dead soldier we recite to-day inspires
~ with love of country. II has been I
fashion OF the centennial season for the conser,
tive aud eotnmon-sense radicals ~ unite in t