Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-06-18

No anxious comrade searches for friend; no father
for son; no sister for brother; no maiden for her
lover. The actors have disappeared. The dead are
mingled with the dust, and the survivors are scat
tered. The two great chieftains have fallen
asleep. Horse and rider, baton and epauiette'
plume and rife, flashing sword and cleaning bay
onet, cannon and cannonier, trumpet and banner,
have all vanished and the sun, as he rises from MS
purple bed, crowns the battlefield with the jewels
of the morning and nantes the warriors grave
with tender grass and nodding flowers,
So, may there come. through this great war, per,
heal all the wounds. May the blood Of The sacrl-
ice cement and sanctify the Union the causes of
gen 6 disappear 9e P1Se e5 sossb
East and West-our whole country-reformet, re-
generated, redeemed,-unite TO perpetuaie the ma
ton, over which the Star of Empire-haying no
further West 10 go,-wil pause, and shine and stay
forever.
From the Helvetan Alps there comes stream
which, in its progress of a few hundred miles leaps
down four thousand feet-during It's turbulent des-
cent beating its water into foam-enters, and main
aims its current through the length Of the Genevan
Lake. and thence energies river Of pure and heay-
emily blue. Frem an opposite direction, down from
the heights of the Savoyan Alps, down through the
valley of Chamouni, come the gray waters OF anoth-
er stream. After overcoming many distractions
through vale and wood, through rock and gorge
over cascade and cataract 10 maintain an ndepend-
ent career. these rivers approach each other near
the City OF Geneva; and, as they come in sight, 10
the Rhone and the Arve-the Blue and the Gray
rush 10 each others arms though, ere tney COM
pleiely blend, you may notice now tinge of gray
and now CLEAN Of blue, yet, soon, their continent
Hoods, like kindred drops are mingled into ONE"
and fhenceforfh these mountain torrents, with united
force, with single will, with undstlnguished
characteristics, and common destiny, pursue their
harmonious course, triumphant, TO the sea.
Mr.. Marsh was frequently interrupted by
applause and OIL concluding was right hearth
ly cheered.
On motion of Gen. NJ T. Mc1Iahon the
thanks of the Society were voted Mr. Marsh
and Mr.. Miller for the admirable address and
poem.
The Glee Club then gave fine selection.
At its close loud cries of Sheridan" arose
from all parts of the hall and when finally
the General arose he received a most en-.
thusiastic ovation. Cheer upon cheer was
gwen, hats were tossed in the air, handker-
chiefs waved and in fact every demonstra-
ton of delight given. General Sheridan
said that he had no speech to make andi he
had one he would be 10th to deliver it after
the fine address we he'd Just heard. lie
earnestly returned thanks for the kind man.
ner in which he had been received He was
glad to see so many present. 1t was the
largest gathering since the organization was
first formed.
| Senator Edmunds was next called upon
and was received with hearty and long-con-
tinued applause. He, returned thanks
for the compliment paid through
through him to the State and city. Nothing
could be more grateful for US than to receive
you. The further we get from the war thu
warmer and more intense will grow our gra
titude for those who saved the Union.
In response to general calls Gen. II. W.
Slocum briefly addressed the gathering. He
alluded to mistake he had made at last years
meeting in voting against holding this gath
ering here How great mistake he made
he did not realize until he set his foot in thi:
beautiful city. When he came here and saw
the flags and the welcome he saw that thu
right place had been selected.
Governor Proctor spoke briefly of til,
by proposing three cheers for the old Divi
sion Commander, Gen. John c. Robinson.
The cheers were given with a right hearty
good will. In response, Gen. Robinson re
turned his thanks and said the fame of Aller
and Warner had been perpetuated by thu
brave boys who fought under Badly Smith
and Stannard
General George ]. STANDARD was called NJ
and spoke briefly of the pleasure it gave hin
to be present and meet his old companions.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles said he had been in
terested in and delighted with the occasion
The grass grows green over Southern battle
fields but the spirit of 81 still survives.
On motion of Gen. James McQuade vot'
of thanks was rendered the citizens of Bur
lington flor their generous, cordial ant
graceful hospitality"
This brought the public exercises to
close