St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-06-04

Town and Village officers, clergy, and
citizens, and was escorted by the Lyn-
donville Cornet Band. This long col
umn of sincere and earnest citizens, as
we have no doubt with hearts full of
solemn memories, commenced its march
from Union Square, under Maj. N. P.
Bowman, Chief Marshal, precisely at
half-past one o'clock, for the Cemetery,
where the graves of our dead heroes
were to be decorated with the flowers
of many homes.
On arriving at the Cemetery the col
umn halted in front of the chapel, which
was appropriately draped with the ma
uonal flag. Upon the right stood the
various societies forming the process
sion, and upon the left were 80 beauti-
tul young girls dressed in white. with
proper insignia, representing the States
OF the American Union. Soon the
orand Army, and Veterans, numbering
ABOUT 90 led by Capt. H. K. Ide, march
Gu past these girls, who presented the
soiuiers each with a bouquet of flowers.
his scene was not only solemn. but
beautiful indeed. If angels from heav-
Gu can look upon mortal scenes. This
must nave been pleasing even to them
A'r Ihere were old and SCARED soldiers
-tnose who had stood facing danger
anu death for the country they loved
receiving sacred emblems of Gods nm
rlty and love from innocent and heanti-
full children, which should be t,ibntos
OF memory and affection given in honor
OF the sacred dead. While the Grand
Army and the Veterans were MARCHING
through the grounds depositing flowers
upon the graves, the st. Johnsburv
Band played the Decoration Dead
March," composed by Carl Reden, and
arranged for this day by D. L. Down
ing, most appropriate and touching
dirge. After this duty by the Grand
Army, it returned to the chapel, where
the hymn "America" was sung by the
Glee Club, accompanied by St. Johns
bury Cornet Band and the congrega-
ton.
Immediately after this the line of
march was formed to return to the SOL
diers monument, where the concluding
ceremonies were to be performed.
When the column arrived, it opened to
the right and left and allowed the chill
dren and the Grand Army to pass
through, who surrounded the monu-
ment, when hymn was sung by the
Glee Club, ave deck their graves alike
to-day" The Grand Army then went
through most interesting and appro-
pirate service, prepared expressly for
this day. 1t was taken part in by four
officers-Blodgett, Ide, Crosby, Harris,
and after each one had paid his tribute
to the departed comrades, he placed
beautiful flowers upon the monument.
At the close of this most impressive SER
vice-the most solemn and impressive
of the entire day,-the band rendered
a piece from 'Hymns of Praise" by
after which prayer was
offered by the Rev. E. T. Sandford,
Chaplain of the day, when the Glee
Club sang "Our Native Land.n The
president then introduced to the large
Gen. VIM. w. Grout, who
delivered an excellent grafton. We can
say no more of it here, than it was a
scholarly production, delivered in a |
plain, easy manner, full of earnestness
and patriotism. The sentiments utter |
ed were full of sound, practical common
sense and advice, which we hope may
sink deep into the hearts of all who
heard them. The ceremonies of the
day were appropriately closed by a
hymn and doxology by the Glee Club,
Band and congregation, to the tune of
'Old Hundred"
We, wish to say in closing that every
thing passed off just right, and accord
ing to the order of exercises. Toe much
credit cannot be given for this to all
who took part in the ceremonies, espec-
tally so to Major N. P. Bowman and
Capt. Fl. K. Ide, who worked indefa-
tigably for the proper observance of
this day from the beginning. The chill
1ren, also, who conducted themselves
90 finely, added great beauty and i'm
pressiveness to the scene. The Bands
Ill did great credit to themselves and
'he occasion, and the people here offer
hem sincere thanks for services render
I'd. Taking everything together, there
never has been a public day in this
own more properly observed; none
when there has been better order, and
zone where there seemed to be greater
lnison and good feeling among all the
people.
E. L. Hovey is this week laying the
rick foundation for a new house, stu
ted upon Portland street, and near bv .
where the one was burned last winter.
Nha bnnaa UiI1 ha f,,,o |