Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-02
MEMORIAL DAY.
Its Observance in Montpelier and other Lo-
oaiitics-Deiightfu Weather and Imposing
nIspIavs


Some propitious divinity seems to preside over
the weather Of decoration day. On that occasion
II seems to rain the heavens are never over
cast the sweet May air is always sweetest. the
breezes freshest, and sunny skies the bluest Sat
urday was conspicuous even among the brilliant
array Of previous memorial anniversaries. All
the forces Of nature seem to have joined hands to
produce perfect day. The air was toned down
to grateful degree Of GOODNESS. Genial sunshine
and skies Of deepest blue, emerald fields and
waving foliage lent their inspiring influence to
heighten the homage grateful hearts will never
cease to feel for those who died that this govern
ment shall not perish from the earth" Early
In the day flags and naglets appeared profusely
on every hand. On public buildings and private
dwellings throughout the village, the red, white
and blue waved in the free air, or CLEANED ont
from among the foliage Of trees in effective con-
trast Conspicuous among the displays Of the
national coors on State street was the decora-
ton OF the armory Of Capitol Guards in Lang
don's building. Mr.. George c. Shepard's ample
grounds on Main street afforded an opportunity
for exhibition Of flags and banners brilliant
as Il was picturesque and tasteful As the morn
ing advanced, evidence OF the general observance
course Of people on the streets. The arrival OF
the morning trains added materially to the num-
bers During the forenoon busy hands were twin
ing garlands at the rendezvous of the flower
committee at the residence OF Colonel Fred f.
Smith. A detachment Of the Grand Army under
W. F. Waterman proceeded TO Seminary Hill and
to the Cutler burial ground, while the main body
under Commander Lull discharged the sacred
duty Of decorating the graves OF their former
comrades In the Elm street and the Catholic GEM
eteries. This completed the ceremonies Of the
forenoon. Post Brooks spread generous lunch
i1tbeir hall for the band and for their guests Of
post Hall Of Worcester. At half past one o'clock
the procession formed on Elm and Spring streets
in the following order; II. c. Lull, marshal, and
staff; Montpelier brass band Bert Waterman
leader; Hall post, Grand Army Of the Republic,
Worcester; Brooks post, No. 10, Grand Army OF
the Republic; carriage with orator, Rev. N. Fell
lows, and chaplain, Rev. H. f. Hill Capitol
Guards, Company II, First Regiment, N. G. ",
Lieutenant Joseph B. Morse commanding; car
rage with male quartette; carriage with floral
cross supported by Misses Lulu Ellis, Mary
Mcclure, Anna Chandler, and Lucy Jacobs; car
rage containing forty little girls bearing floral
OutTinRN, Ill CnhTRt VI ". d. W iisou, NitEchr
in carriages; citizens on foot At about half-past
two o'clock the procession passed down State
street to the strains of enlivening music. Many
citizens in carriages awaiting its appearance,
joined the cortege on its way to the cemetery,
forming pageant that has rarely been equaed
in the history Of memorial day observances in
Montpelier. The spot selected for the ceremo-
MES in Green Mountain cemetery was a green
slope near the easterly gate Here the procession
halted, and the post under the direction Of Com
mander Lull proceeded at once to the performance
Of the impressive ceremonies attending the deco
ration OF the soldiers graves. The first to claim
the attention Of their surviving comrades were
"tbose who lie in southern graves" to whom the
large floral cross was dedicated. The sacred en-
blem was placed upon the ground and the men,
bers OF the post in attendance formed around it.
After an expression OF the lofty purpose that
should animate the comrades on this occasion, by
the superior officers, the band played dirge and
prayer having been offered by the chaplain, three
comrades advanced In turn, and receiving a
wreath from the hands Of the young ladies reve-
rently placed 1t, with the expression OF suitable
sentiments, at the foot of the cross. Chaplain
Hill then, Gin remembrance OF the holy cause for
which our comrades gave the full measure OF their
DEVOTION devoted wreath Of white flowers to
the memory Of those who lie in graves beyond the
| reach of comrades hands, but not their hearts.
| This impressive ceremony ended, the post pro
| ceeded to the decoration of the graves in the
cemetery. salute fired by Capitol Guards
marked the completion of this grateful task. Re-
assembling at the speakers stand, the.programmt
was resumed. A quartette, consisting Of Messrs
Kinney and Shipman of Montpelier, W. NJ.
| Ramsdell Of West Randolph and S. d. Hopkins
Esq, of Burlington, sang " Blest be the ground, u
with fine effect, and after prayer by the chaplain
| the Rev. Mr.. Fellows orator Of the occasion, was
presented. Mr.. Fellows prefaced his address by
reading the following beautiful poem by Harriet
| F. Bodgett, published in the Independent OF
May 9th:
| Silently. soemnly marching on,
| Under the sun OF the sweet May sky,
| Bearing our burdens of bloom and vine
| To graves where sleeping comra AIDES lie.
| One at the foot and one at the head
Place the wreaths DER our cherished dead,
| Blue skies that love them
Bending above them,
| Tenderly keeping
| Watch DER their sleeping.
Peacefully, quietly now they rest.
| We, "A we follow flag to-day,
| Bear not the weapons we bore OF old,
| But cross and wreath Of the flowers of May.
| One at the foot and the head
| Place the wreaths DER our cherished dead,
| Blue skies that love them
Bending above them,
Tenderly keeping
| Watch DER their sleeping.
| Brightly and warmly the sunbeams fall,
| Each tiny blossom doth shine and glow,
| with the love Of a nations thankful heart
| For the martyred dead who sleep below.
| One at the foot and at the head
| Place the wreaths DER cherished dead,
| Blue skies that love them
Bending above them,
Tenderly keeping
| Watch DER their sleeping.
| solemnly. silently marching on,
| Led by the Gag which they died to save.
| Scattering garands Of vine and bloom
| Lovingly over each comrades grave.
| One at the foot and one al the head
| Place we the wreaths Ger cherished dead,
Blue skies that love them
| Bending above them,
Tenderly keeping
| Watch DER their sleeping.
| most heartily approve OF the celebration OF
| this day, this gathering OF old comrades, family
friends and fellow-citizens at the graves of the
heroic dead. These floral decorations and falling
| tears mingling with the flowers seem to me en-
inently fitting AZ in faint degree expressing oui
respect for the memory Of the brave men whose
mortal remains lie buried here and in other buria
places Of this town. While family ties and local
associations awaken In hearts special feelings
OF personal sorrow and call for special tributes tc
those who lie here, we call to memory and take to
our heart those in every cemetery in the state, in
all the states, whether marked by the loving hand.
OF friends or lying in dark and desolate places
known only to the all-seeing and all-remember
ing God. When the memory OF those years OF
desoating war; when the forms and faces OF the
loved ones sacrificed in those years, emerge from
the realm of shades and take their places in the
chambers Of imagination" and we see them AZ
in other days, shall say to you that words
seem all too weak for the occasion and the feeling,
that come over us like flood? | must confess tc
AN inexpressible shrinking from an effort to give
| direction, even for a few moments, to your
thoughts and would much prefer with bowed
head to mnge my tears with yours, and then ST.
lently, sadly, yet hopefully wend our way home
ward. Since your committee have ordered II
otherwise, accept few plain and simple sugges
tons for the meditation of the closing moments Of
this days celebration.
Fyrst--shall we not only remember, but ever
hold In grateful remembrance, the heroic dead
We all admire truly heroic spirit. When this 1,
devoted to worthy ends 1t is still more worthy Of
admiration. When these ends have to do witt
the safety Of ones country-religion, family, sell
| thu laas Al that WA who hava nroftad hy sh nj,