Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-02

feeling 1t was good to observe the day Much
credit Is due to Mr.. James Hickie and other com
rades for untiring efforts to make the observance
Of the day success also to the drum corps, choir
and teachers Of schools represented. Before dis
towns viz: Marshfield, Cabot and Calais,
were chosen to make arrangements for the OBJ
servance OF the day next year.
IN QUEcHEE.
The graves OF the soldiers buried at Quechee
were decorated with flags and flowers last Satur-
day afternoon. The band played appropriate
music, a prayer was offered, and the following
poem read;
For the brave men who battled long
For freedom and eternal right.
Whose hearts were bold and hands strong
To lead from darkness into light
with grateful heart and lifted hand;
And In this holy temple pray,
God bless our freer holier land
We praise thee for the work they wrought
With loves unselnsh sacrifice
The high and holy blessings bought
With life's immeasurable price,
As browning garlands on their brows
symbol OF Freedoms holy vowsi
We praise thee for the kindly hands
That srew their graves will fragrant aowersi
The hearts that prize, as golden sands.
We praise thee and most humby pray
For grace to help US still uphold
The cause they loved, and press way
To thee and waiting crowns of gold
On the Sabbath the pastor preached memo
rial sermon
IN BRooKFIELD.
Decoration day has again been observed here
in manner which shows that those who have
given their lives in their country's service are
still gratefully remembered, and their sacrifices
appreciated 1t also affords proof that the patri-
otism which nerved them for the combat Is not
dead, but still lives in the hearts OF not only their
surviving comrades but of the citizens also, and
seeks to find such expression "a IL suited to a
time OF peace. The different cemeteries in town
were visited usual and the graves of the
soldiers were decorated, the Brookfeld cornet
band accompanying the procession and prayer be-
ing offered in each cemetery. Substantial re.
freshments were provided in the school-bouse
yard at the north village, where the remaining
exercises were held. consisting of excellent music
by the band and choruses and quartetts by the
choir, prayer by the Rev. j. p. Demeritt, and an
appropriate address by 4 j. McWain, Esq, OF
West Randolph. He reviewed briefly the dangers
and struggles in the past in the history of the
country, considered the present danger to be
party corruption, and that the stability OF the
government rests especially upon the intelligence
and integrity of the people. lie also spoke en-
phatically OF the duty OF the minority submitting
peaceably to the decision Of the majority in gov
eminent like ours. The audience expressed their
appreciation of the address by resolution OF
thanks presented by +. e Biglow, Esq, and dis
persed, apparently feeling that decoration day had
not proved a failure.
IN SoRTHFIELD.
There was no general celebration or turn out
of our citizens on decoration day; still the graves
of our soldiers who died in war or SINCE were
decorated by the Grand Army post and the cadets
and officials Of Norwich university, assisted by
limited number OF citizens Emwood cemetery
was first visited aud the graves of some thirty
five Of our country's defenders strewn with flow
ers and evergreen wreaths and crosses, that Of
General Jackman being the last one visited
at 1t a profusion Of decorations were left, and
over 1t three volleys were fired by the cadets. A
few remarks, appropriate to the day, were made
by Mr.. Shaw, for the last year principal OF our
graded school. lie enjoined it upon our people,
as one of their duties, to perpetuate with the
ballot the blessings and privileges which those
whose graves we were visiting risked their lives
to defend and secure. The Catholic burial ground
was next visited, and after that the cemetery at
the Center village, where a few timely remarks
were made by Rev. Mr. Bartlett. The decorative
services OF the day were concluded by visit to
the cemetery at Gouldsville where DR.. Nichols
acted master Of ceremonies and Rev. Mr.. Hazen
favored those present with brief address the
interesting services being finely finished and
rounded out by the singing Of the inspiring hymn
" My country, It's Of thee The proceedings
above briefly detailed were held on Saturday. On
Sunday union memorial services were held at the
church, In which Rev. Mr.. Hazen
of that church, Rev. Mr.. Bartlett OF the Episcopal
anu htN. MI W ortntu VI tue
took part. Several national hymns were sung by
a choir from different churches.
IN BURLINGTON.
Memorial day proved to be one OF the brightest
and fairest OF the year. We had the pleasure OF
witnessing a part of the exercises which were
held In this city In honor OF our heroes who per-
ished for their countrys good Flags were flying
them seemed to be in mourning Many houses
were decorated with flags. procession was
formed on st. Paul street, which marched through
the principal streets and made very fine appear
ance. 1t WAS formed in the following order;
First, a detachment of city police commanded by
Officer lamora; Second, Sherman's military band,
which presented fine appearance and, it is
needless to say, furnished the choicest of music;
Third, battalion OF students from the univer.
sity OF Vermont, under Lieutenant Cnmmins;
Fourth, Rock Point cadets, from the Episcopal
institute on Rock Point, who showed fine dis
cipline; Fifth, the Green Mountain Boys" com
manded by Captain J. ]. Flanagan; Sixth, Stan
nard post, Grand Army Of the Republic, and
other veterans, in command of post commander
NJ. z. Scullin. These heroes OF the war bore
flowers To decorate the graves OF their departed
and were followed by our "futur
heroes" also bearing flowers; Seventh, carriage
containing the orator Of the day and chaplain;
Eighth, glee club Ninth, board of aldermen in
carriages, president of University OF Vermont and
of the press; Tenth, citizens In
carriages. The exercises In Elmwood cemetery
were cOuuuCteu pN anu NtIt very
very beautiful and appropriate. At Battery park
prayer was offered by Rev, l.. G. Ware, chaplain
of the day; keller's American hymn was rendered
by the glee club, and an eloquent and stirring ad-
dress was delivered by Captain Walter Z, Dunton
The exercises were closed with a benedcton by
the chaplain. Everything passed of pleasantly,
and II was an entire success, All the exercises
were very impressive, and the day was fitting tr-
butte 10 our honored dead.
IN RUTLAND.
Colonel Roswell Farnhan delivered the address
ut Rutland and II Ia but simple truth to say II
was replete with tender pathos, true patriotism
and thrilling eloquence From II we extract the
following BRILLIANT morcedu. " Some OF the more
prominent officers may be mentioned in history
but the great mass OF the troops who fought ~
well for our country can only be known and re-
membered in the locality whence he went forth,
and unless their names are published and read on
occasions like these, will soon be forgotten even
In their homes. Let us cherish the memories of
these humble soldiers In our midst, and OF the
dead whose memories we hallow to-day. Love OF
country and sef-deyotion in Its defense do not be-
long 10 officers alone. The common soldier Is
more likely TO be inspired with pure unselhsh
patriotism than his superior, who has more hope
OF promotion and renown. Common soldier, did
l say There were no common soldiers among
the Vermont troops. There were priyates. but no
common soldiers. The privates OF the Green
Mountain troops were very uncommon soldiers,
every one OF them Who marched ON foot with
his heavy accoutrements and knapsack, through
mud and rain, in the dust and burning sun, while
his officers rode or were relieved OF their burdens
The private soldier. Who stood on picket through
the long night OF Virginia storms, In summer and
winter alone, the target Of the bush whacker and
guerilla riskng his life that the camp and the
country might be safe The private soldier.
Who advanced upon the skirmish line to feel of
the enemy and find where he lay, at the sacrifice
OF life and lmb that his officers might the better
conduct the attack? The private soldier. Who
at times was sacrificed ON the outposts that the
army might be withdrawn with safety? The pri-
waite soldier. Who was sacrificed ON the march,
in the field. in camp and everywhere, by the ig-
norance and imbecity of his superors Tie
private soldier. Who stood at his post At all
discretion as to the time TO withdraw from need
less danger2 The private soldier"