Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-06-06

shoutd not. perish from Tic eaFIh'
We remember those stirring times,
but you-members of the Grand
Army-were actors in that grand
drama. We need now only refer to
that gigantic struggle. -Four mill
ions of armed men, or one-eighth of
the entire population of the country,
were engaged, on one side or the
other, in the conflict; one half mill
ion lost their lives-three hundred
thousand in defending, and two hun
dred thousand in attempting to de-
stroy the government. The spirit
of rs was again rekindled in 'G1.
Not only III life, but in treasure the
expense Of the war was enormous.
The sacrifices were, however, freely
made. Defeat or victory were in
evitablc, and The Silent Captain at
the head Of the army, CALAMITY sup
ported Ly the resources and patriot
ism Of the Northern States, demand
ed and would accept only an uncon
ditional surrender.
Lees capi.ulation at Appomattox
virtually put an end to the contest.
|
Slavery was abolished, the right of
secession annihilated, and the per-
I nanence Of the Union established.
The era Of reconstruction followed,
and a clemency hitherto unknown,
was extended to the participants in
the rebellion. Since then, as a ma
ton, "':peace has been within our
walls and Righteousness in our pal.
aees.n The grand old army was soon
disbanded, the soldier became again
a citizen, and again engaged in thf
pursuits of peaceful industry. The
change was complete,-from the
struggles of war we passed to tbs
quiet of peace.
To-day we recount patriotic deeds
and revert to these sanguinary strug
giles. We turn aside from our or
binary avocations, and devote thu
day to our country. We tell thu
story of valor, we recite deeds o.
daring. We learn of our country'
history, and last, but not least, W.
give thanks and honor to the Boy
in Blue. For four long, weary
watchful years we trusted to you
our national honor; to you we con
fded "life, liberty. and the pursui
Of happiness" We depended upol
you, aud our faith was well ground
ed. From defeat, you, by your cour
age and determination, brought vic
tory; and out of the gloom Of Re
belIion came the goddess Of Free
! dom and Peace.
The observance Of this day kin
dies the fires of patriotism and ce
ments the bonds of Union. w
learn the work and value of our in
stitutions, and count the cost of on
liberties. We study the theories o
government, and consider the mean
Of advancement. How can we hes
increase education, inculcate moral
! ty, and make ours the leading intel
lectual nation Of the world? How
can we uproot corruption, destro,
communisms and obliterate vice
We are under obligations not onl,
to the dead but to the living. The,
have performed their duty,-w,
must 10 ours. The principles the,
died for we must maintain and PEI
petuate. Broadening in thought
and advancing in knowledge, we a
people are assuming increasing re
sponsibilities. We should, as cit
zens, meet the duties thus impose
manfuly and coprageousty. Let u
|
Shirk nothing-let us act wisely
bringing to our aid our best buttons
and maturest thought.
Members Of the Grand A1my. -
From time immemorial patriot
valor has been held in grateful rc
membrance. The sculptor and pain
$ err, the poet and historian, vie wit
7 each other in doing honor to thos
| who fight their country's battle.
8 Phe records of the past teen wit
the rough deeds of war rather tina
9 the gentler acts Of peace. The oil
. testament tells Of the warlike act
/; and brave deaths of Jewish patriot
r Athens and Rome did honor to til
l memory q their warrior dead. A
= ages and people. pay honor and hon
/ age to battle Scared veterans. b
t common observance and legislativ
t decree to-day, May 8oth, is acknov