The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-06-01
Memorial Exercises i'm Middlebury.

The observance of Decoration day in
Middlebury this year was very success
full. The weather was perfect and the
turnout of veterans, organizations and
people large. Col. A.. S. Tracy was
president of the day and Captain Wal
lace Dewey. marshal.
The procession formed in front of the
Addison House shortly after nine o'clock.
1t was headed by the Middlebury brass
band, IL pieces j. b. Cobb. leader. and
Herbert Smith, drum major. Following
the band were the veterans, about % in
number; the Knights Templar. Thad.
Nj. Chapman, commanders; knights of
Honor, DR.. Russell. dictator; three
carriages, containing 16 little girls and
the flowers for decorating carriage with
president and orator; Assistant Marshals
viii Ii. Bond, Frank A. Nison, w. w.
Hope and George Fletcher; citizens in
carriages and on foot. When the pro-
cession reached South Main street the
children of the Graded school. with their
teachers, marched from the school
building and Joined it,. Nearly one
hundred teams were in line.
The exercises at the cemetery opened
with prayer by Prof. Seely. Col. Tracy
made brief remarks. and the graves were
decorated. Comrades Brown and Farrell
were designated to decorate those in the
Catholic cemetery. The procession was
then reformed and marched back to the
village.
In the church, where the remaining
services were held, the veterans and
organizations were given seats in front
in the center pews. The desk bore a
handsome wreath and floral cross. while
| on tha faI1n bnfnra f1,n dash x-as ., .1rasn
of fine flowers. Mrs. Miner presided at
the organ. The singing was done by
members of the Congregational choir
and others, and was exceptionally eX-
c%ellent.
After the voluntary, Rev. Mr.. Hib-
bard, pastor of the Baptist church.
offered prayer. The national anthem,
"America." was then sung.
Col. Tracy mex introduced the orator
of the day. Hon. f.. j. Ormsbee OF
Brandon. In opening, the speaker re-
ferred to the fact that the observance OF
Decoration day had become national
1t is prompted by patriotism and the
desire to honor those who fell in defense
of the nation in its hour of peril
Those heroes belong to the nation ant
are its richest legacy. And all alike arc
held in remembrance-the untitled pri.
vate and the martyr President. Every
grave. then, no matter how humble it.
occupant, should be decorated. II
honoring the soldier dead a double
service is done. The ceremony has tt
do not only with memories of the wa
for the Union. but with the future of the
country for it tends to keep alive thos,
sentiments which are Necessary to the
perpetuity of the nation. Patriotism
is but another name for self-sacrificin
devotion to country. 1t was this that
sent one in every ten of the por ulatioi
of Vermont to the field. The results o
the war were due, not to brute courage
but to principle. Mr.. Ormsbee protest
Ell against the tendency in some quarter;
to confound the causes for which TIL
soldiers of the North and South fought
He did not believe in the blue and TIL
grey" sentimentality. The Union sOldle
fought for the preservation of The nation
and the Confederate to destroy it. Whil'
we can honor the latter for his belief il
the justice of his cause, the e~Ssentia
wrongness of that cause should not b.
lost sight of.
The address was brief and to tn
point, and was listened to Throughout
with great interest by the large audience
At the conclusion of the address tn
choir and audience sang The Star
Spangled Banner" and the assembl,
was dismissed with the benediction b,
Rev. Mr.. Iiibbard.
AS was said at the outset. the observ
ance of the day was Il success. All VIII,
had to do with it did their utmost to thi
end; but especially should credit b
given to the ladies of the floral con
mittee. They provided an abundance o
fine flowers, tastefully arranged; an
this is of course a very important featur
: of such an occasion.
. The band. too, played well, consider
! ing the short time they have been i
: practice.