The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-12
Memorial Day Address at ST.
mONsviIle, by Rev. Ill. &.
LcaVitt.

Comgddes Qfthe Grand Ajmy Qfthe |
Republic, Ladies and Geatlemea.
The complaint was made some time
since by certain writer that of the
professions, "soldiers were becoming
too popular, parsons too lazy, physi-
clans too mercenary, and lawyers too
powerful"
However true may be his accusations
against parsons, physicians and law
yers, it does not particularly concern
us just now, as each class are perfectly
competent to answer for themselves,
and are the special classes TO which
such will always flee to for counsel,
when in their peculiar circumstances
they need help.
But to charge the soldier with be-
coming too popular, was of the same
species of sarcasm as another, who as
serted that those who enlisted into the
service of our country in time of our
late rebellion, did it for the novelty and
sport growing out of it, and yet being
supported by the government, while
enjoying so rich past time.
Many man would be popular if by
the criticisms of the motives of others
he could raise himself to their coveted
position.
The cynic is never so selfish as when
he is envious of those who have fairly
earned their positions in life, and made
themselves popular by toll, which they
have neither heart nor courage to un-
dertake. The school boy can tell us of
Napoleon's mistake, how he lost the
battle of Waterloo.
1t was an easy matter while at home
to grow FESTIVE and cry Con to Rich
mond,' to the army of the Potomac, but
it was quite another thing to do it. 1t
was the greatest puzzle for the wisest
heads of the nation, the best generals
the world ever saw, to know how to do
it.
Patriots by profession may plan the
siege and eulogise victory, but it takes
patriots by practice-men not afraid of
the powders dirt or the battles dust
to fight and win the field. 1t was this
kind of patriotism that broke the fet-
ters of our national tmaldom; that
preserved the Temple of Liberty our
fathers reared.
1t was the same kind of patriotism
which, when our liberty was assailed
by those who for the most part were
inspired with the belisf that they were
battling for the right, that caused the
general uprising of the people. The
patriot then became the soldier; the
honest son of toll the veteran, who
saved our country from ruin, and es-
tablished it on a basis broader than
ever; loved and honored equally today
by its foes as well as its friends.
No '.Dixie's" line is drawn across the
face of our country, dividing its indus
tries, its laws and sympathies, genera
ating deadly hate and hostile feelings,
but a union of feeling, cemented by
the common ties of blood, and univer-
sal freedom.
Patriotism, while it loves life, is will
ling to give life. 1t regards national
life, which includes the liberties and
happiness of the many, as of more val
he than its own. Life with liberty is
happiness. Bondage is death to hopes
and degrading to manhood. A mere
existence can never satisfy the aspira-
tons of one who has been inspired by
patriotism. Passion would drive us
backward and hold us in the bondage
of past ages. But patriotism lifts lis
out of the ruts of the centuries, scorn-
ing toll and sacrifice, and prompts us
by the noblest of impulses to great I'M
dertakings and grand achievements.
A man devoid of patriotism knows
nothing of that sentiment which burns
in the breast of every true soldier.
He does not understand how one can
love his country more than life, be-
cause such feeling never entered his
heart.
Selfish by nature, cowardly in heart,
Jealous of the honors of others. he
fumes and storms at the success of those
moved by those higher motives, which
were never enkindled within his own
bosom.
For such we can heartily endorse the
sentiment of another, who has left for
us betting epitaph, which should as
distinctly mark graves of such as do
flowers bedeck the graves of our fallen
comrades today throughout the land:
"Breathes there the man with soul so
dead,
Who never to himself hath said:
This is my own, my native land!
Whose heart has ne'er within him
burned,
As home his footsteps he hath turned.
From wandering on foreign strandl
If such there breathes, go, mark him
well;
For him no minstrel rapturcs swell;
High though his title, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim,
Despite those titles, power and pelf,
The wretch, concentered all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
TO the vile dust from whence he sprung.
Unwept, unhonored, and unsung.''
1t is the patriot we would honor TO-
day. 1t his grave we would decorate
with wreathes of choicest flowers WOW
ven by loving hands.
As fragrant as are the flowers we
scatter over their resting place, so fra
grant are their memories which they
have left behind. Had the Spartan.
not been willing to risk their lives. had
they not been noble and brave. art and