Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-31
Memorial Services in Montpelier.

after appropriate remarks himself intro
duced successfully Rev. Mr.. Hincks, Rev.
Mr.. Hill, Rev. ]. F. Stone and Rev. j. ID.
Beeman who all spoke briefly and well
of the lessons of the day. There was
music adapted to the occasion, and the
benediction was pronounced by Rev. A.
ID. Barber.
Tuesday forenoon Brooks Post decorated
the graves of soldiers in the Catholic,
Elm Street and Green Mount cemeteries.
At 2 o'clock the procession was formed
on Barre street, the right resting on Main.
1t was headed by the Montpelier cornet
band, followed by Mount Zion Command
cry of knights Tcmplars, P. E. c., j. S.
Mack in command; Thomas Wildey En-
campment of Odd Fellows under G. 7.
Summers; St. jean Baptiste Society, l..
Rodney, marshal; carriages, among them
the one with memorial cross and Misses
Mary Guernsey, Emma Allard, Minnie
Young and Helen Burpee with wreaths
for the Post ceremonies; and another with
the Ladies' Floral Committee, Mrs. T. R.
Merrill, Mrs. A. d. Farwell, Mrs. j. P.
Meron, Mrs. G. II. Guernsey and Miss
Olivia Boutwell,; Drum, Corps; Brooks
Post, II. A. Huse, commander; and sec
ton Of artillery with two guns, in charge
of +. Butterfly. The route of march was
through Main, School, LOOMS, Liberty,
Elm, Spring, Main and State streets.
On arriving at the State House grounds
the order of services prescribed was car
ricd out. The band gave excellent music
both as part of the services and upon the
march. Prayer was offered by Rev. j.
Edward Wright. George w. Wing, the
orator of the day, was introduced by the
commander, and delivered an address
which received on all hands. much of the
| hearty praise it deserved. Departing
from the beaten tracks of such an occa-
sion Mr. Wing set forth in historic Sc,
qucnce the growth and manner of growth
OF those principles of individual liberty
and government for and by the people
| that the war for the Union was fought in
part to establish. Ho showed that these
| principles were not of mushroom growth,
or even Of that of a century or two cen
turtles, but had their inception ages back
and their development, now retarded and
now quickened, throughout thointorvcning
time. TO secure what had been reached
by this development the war for the Union
was fought. Mr.. Wing in conclusion
said;
ut is fitting that you should examine
whether that which cost you so dear was
worth the sacrifice you made. 1t is right
| that you, who have contributed so much
to our national prosperity and happiness,
should examine the history of that liberty
you so nobly defended, and which exist
cd only because in all ages and conditions
of mankind there had been those willing
to offer up there lives in its support and
in its defence. II history teaches any one
thing with certainty, it is that there is
no immortality for nations; they have
their birth, rise, progress and decay.
Their purpose accomplished they pass into
oblivion, or live only as memories of the
historic past. But through all the vicis-
STUDIES of national life, the develop
ment of human thought and the march
of progress, from barbaric night to the
full, clear light of civilization and liberty,
has never wholly ceased. Starting out
from the pyramids of Egypt three thou.
sand years ago, the pathway of civil and
religious liberty may be traced in blood.
Red-hpnded war has been its constant
ally and the most powerful agent in its
advancement. How well you, and those
in whose honor we meet here to-day, bore
your part in the preservation of these bless
ings, the history Of your country will tes-
tify, On every battlefield of the Army
of the Potomac through Chickahominy's
swamps, along the Red River, in the val.
ley of the Shenandoah, whenever and
wherever called upon, you nobly did your
duty. 1t is especially fitting that to you, who
profess the tenots of fraternity, charity
and loyalty. on this day set apart by
grateful nation for honoring its loyal dead,
should be committed the sacred duty of
luCoO ODSCIPdUCtSs NO uUllSI
trust could be committed to your hands.
AS you stand before the graves of your
comrades, and place upon the stone that
marks their last resting place the blossom.
ing tribute of affection, register anew
your vows of loyalty to your country and
your God"
b. F. Filield, ESQ, was introduced and
expressed his regret at having been
obliged, by the pressure of other duties,
to cancel his acceptance of the invitation
to deliver the address.
The regular Grand Army ceremonies of
the day were then conducted by members
of Brooks Post in memory of departed
comrades and the bcnediction was pro-
nounced by Rev. Mr.. Miller.
The procession then reformed Brooks
Post oscorting St. Jean Baptiste Society to
the hall Of the latter, and then proceeding
to G. A. r. hall.
Brooks Post, at Il meeting held in the
Grand Army Of the Republic hall, subso-
quont to the exercises of Decoration day,
voted that the hearty thanks of the post
be, by the adjutant. communicated in
writing to st. Jean Baptiste Society,
Thomas Widely Encampmcnt and Mount
Zion Commandery for their aid in the
services, and TO the Ladies' Floral Com
mittce and George w. Wing. ESD, the
orator of the day.
The thanks of the post were also voted
to the Montpelier cornct band. the drum.
corps, the artillery company and to all
who aided in making the celebration sue
cessful.
Tho do, yuna In nunru UNIV fnunrn hln cnr