Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-06-04

less pain Of absence and suspense, the dread
full anxiety after any great battle. Inc very
air seemed hushed Sadness appeared IN ey.
cry face Life grew strangely solemn. AND
yet, though fathers walked with bowed
heads though wives and maidens wet their
nightly pillows with tears and mothers new
er before prayed so earnestly, that was no
time Of weakness. Amazing strength was
shown. When anything could be done for
sailor or soldier the timid became brave, the
weak strong, the sick well, and those Of no
experience were gifted with wondrous Wis
dom. The world was astonished at the hid
den strength of the American people. at the
zeal generosity and devotion which poured
themselves through the channels Of sacrifice.
The war was terrible. Long may we be
SHARED such a baptism Of blood But it was
a great exhibition Of character. II showed
what endurance and courage, what nobility
and heroism were nurtured by our free lnsl-
buttons. It exalted the estimate Of human
nature aud makes these services an act OF jus
tce alike to the dead and the living.
Never forget that this day stands for Rec
onciliation. The Union soldier fought not
to destroy but to save the nation. He wished
no star TO be taken from our flag, no part TO
be severed from the sisterhoOd Of States.
He battled for the South and the North, not
for part, but for the whole country. His
purpose was peace just and lasting peace.
Forever he wished to end that sectional feel
ing which, through years Of political strife,
led to the civil war. Men forgot party for
country. In the Union hosts Republican and
Democrat native and foreigner, white and
black marched shoulder to shoulder, united
in the great purpose Of saving the land. To-
day we have a united nation the children
Of the North aud South are all brethren. God
] .. fTl. -
is washed away in blood. Its problems have
been solved. Let its issues be buried in for
getfulness. On many battle field are the
mingled graves of Union and Confederate
soldiers. The grass is as green on the one as
the other. the rains and dews make no dis
tuction between them, the sun shines on
each with equal brightness. In spirit as
gracious and mcrciful let us love oar enemies,
and do good to those who have despitefully
used as. For striving to destroy the nation
our foemen have paid bitter price. The
sunny South is desolated her fields are de-
serted, her once happy homes forsaken her
widows and orphans sit in poverty and sad
ness. Our foemeu were deluded but they
are still our countrymen. With every error
and fault they are yet dear to our hearts.
Sword and inusket are laid aside, the armed
hosts have disbanded but forbearance and
good will must finish the work Of warfare.
They alone can unite the North and South in
imperishable union they alone fulfill the
purpose for which our heroes died
But a stable union must be based on jus
tee and liberty Without an honest ballot,
without liberty of conscience and free discus
sion there eau be 10 lasting peace. II 1t Is
to endure, this must be free and indepen-
dent nation. To this end must we labor, for
this purpose should We vote Not as Repub-
t. 1.vstl nc
Americans we must guard our free institu-
tions from every danger and foe Thus can
the nation be reunited and our land become
in truth
1.-THE land Of the free and the home Of the brave"
To this work are we called. and believe that
the spirits of our fallen heroes from their
bivouac above, bid US in our efforts hearty
God-speed
In what spirit shall we celebrate this day !:
Its services should be an earnest expression
Of gratitude and affection. The same emo
lions which are onshrined in soldiers monu-
ments and memorial halls, set apart this day
for a yearly tribute to the nations dead No
one can recall the dread experiences Of the
war and the noble record of our martyr
hosts. without a deeper sense Of obligation to
them and gratitude to God. The debt We
owe them is beyond our power to estimate.
1t can never be repaid.
A few years after the war, an Illinois far
mer was seen kneeling beside grave in a
Nashville cemetery. Some one approached
and asked if that was his boys grave. No, "
he replied, but the man came from the
same town. had feeble wife and seven
children, and was drafted. had no money
TO hire substitute, no one would be left to
carry on the farm, and thirteen dollars
month would not feed my family. This man
said lie could be spared better than l, aud en-
listed in my stead He was wounded in bat
tie, and died in yonder hospital Here is his
grave. ! have come long distance 10 write
on his headstone, He died for me-" May
not We, with equal truth and emotion, carve
on the monuments of the country's dead
"Thcy 9ied f1r rs" Shall we not with deep
est gratitude honor their memory, and pay
most hearty tribute to their worth Mingled
with gratitude to God for that providence
which overruled the dark days of gloom and
disaster, and crowned our arms with victory
and peace, must ever be glowing thankful
ness 10 these, His willing instruments, whose
devotion and loyalty made the blessed result
possible. Nor mus, our grateful feelings be
exhausted in words or military pomp. They
must be shown in more practical forms Our
duty TO the dead does not end with flower
strewn graves and words Of eulogy. 70 the
living We owe a more imperative duty. II
We must choose between the pomp of these
observances and our debt TO those who live.
by all means forego the time and expense of
these services, and give the means 30 saved
to the relief Of the suffering. But no such
choice is necessary. Both duties can and
will be done. To-day, as you decorate the
graves of the heroic dead. resolve that no
widow or orphan who depended on them
shall be allowed TO suffer need, that no worthy
soldier who survives shall lack the necessities
of life.
These services pledge US to fHiA the ,oork
which remains to be done. There are no
rebel armies in the field, but the rebel spirit
is not dead. Color prejudice, injustice and
hatred still survive, and this generation must
pass away before the baneful results of civil
strife shall cease. Peace has its battles no
less than war, and every good citizen must
oppose corruption, and labor to the utmost
to secure honesty and justice in every depart
ment of public service. Thus shall the ma
ton prove worthy Of the bloody sacrifice by
which its life was saved. But 10y thus honor
ing the past, you give the best assurance for
the future. You who remember the dead
cannot forget the country for which they
died. Rcyerenuy and prayerfully celebrate
the day. Vow new fidelity and devotion TO
our native land. Remember that We too are
the instruments Of God to make this repvL-
nc united, free ana great the favored hand
of the earth, the abiding home of freedom
and virtue. The future is bright with pi ON
Use. Untold possibilities are in store for the
nation. In hundred years her population
has grown from less than three Millions to
more than forty-fve millions of people from
thirteen states to thirty eight states and ten
territories. Thousands of miles of railway
and telegraph have been built, while mining
and agriculture, commerce and manufacture
have increased to au amazing degree The
West and South shall yet be densrly peopled
our unknown resources fully developed, and
this will be the strongest and most prosper
Gus nation on earth But our greatness, TO
endure, must be founded on knowledge, viz
tue, and religion. Woe to the nation if NOR
ality and piety so not hand in hand with
wealth and power. The people of the South
and North must together work out this glori-
GUS destiny. Each must have the spirit of
sacrifice, forboarance and patriotism. Each