Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-09-26

Sigh requiem, and the storm winds OF WIN
ter moan dismal dirges to their memory. The
sunlight kisses the verdure spreading above
them, and the moon looks down in pity on
their beds They heed not the sweet carol of
soDgsters, nor the perfume of wild flowers
on the superintendent air. The liberties we
enjoy to day were purchased by their lives,
and il is proper that we should set apart a
day to their memory.
We do well to recall that mighty army Of
the dead. In the camp and in the hospital,
along the lonely picket line, on the march
and unders the fire of battle they heard that
other ro-call ard passed on to answer there,
the very flower Of our youth and our time
In the long procession Of our busy life there
is one division that moves with broken ranks
The roll of its dead is longer than the roll Of
its living Let us honor it as it moves forward
with its scars and rent banners, and let us
honor its dead not only with the flower that
fadeth but with fidelity TO those great princ-
pies for which they gave their lives. But
why continue these words of praise or con
dolence Words will soon be forgotten but
their deeds will not pass away like a summer
cloud. Like the rolling ages they will con-
tinue to the end OF time. And as we return
on each memorial anniversary to plant the
flowers Of spring, those emblems of affection
on honored graves, thereby rekindling the
w8tchfres of patriotic zeal in our minds, let
us cherish the hope that war may never again
distract our land with its devastating influence
but that we, bearing aloft the olive branch Of
peace, may move forward in the great march
OF moral and intellectual prosperity. Aud
while rejoicing that 80 many brave veterans
survived TO return to their homes garlanded
with the wreathes Of victory, and with hearts
swelling with joyful pride by reason of the
restoration Of our land Of the manumission
OF four millions Of slaves from bondage, aud
of the establishment of all our republican
institutions, let US never forget the fallen he
roes Of our late civil war, who, inspired by
patriotism and unswerving from its spirit
yielded themselves a sacrifice upon the altar
OF their country, that their contemporaries
and their posterity might enjoy the blessings
of freedom. A day has been set apart as due
the memory OF the heroes who fell in strug
gle for right, and the comrades of those brave,
self sacrificing men Who laid down their lives
that their beloved nation might live will en-
gage in the solemnly beautiful ceremony of
decorating their graves with flowers, and
otherwise honoring their memory. We can
not call it day of mourning but rather one
of rejoicing. Even to the few Old comrades
of those martyrs to liberty, memorial day is
not day Of sadness, but rather a day Of holy
and tender memories when they reverontly
kneel at the graves of their comrades and re-
beloved country "even unto death.
The expression uttered by some that the
custom Of decorating the graves Of the sol
diers of the union ought to be abolished be-
cause it tends to keep alive the old feeling of
animosty, is unpatriotic. There is no such
thought in the hearts Of the comrades as they
engage in this service there is no bitterness
of feeling towards those whom they met in
deadly conflict, but only sentiments Of kind
L. .
motest thought OF keeping alive any feelings
of animosity, nor does any such intention tx
ist in their hearts as they bow at the graves
of those who gave their lives so freely for the
nation. But they do believe in the sacred
ness Of the duty of honoring the memory OF
these men, and of perpetuatng the spirit of
patriotism. They would make the graves of
our dead heroes sacred shrines where the ris-
ing and coming generations may learn what
liberty cost, and thus be inspired to renew
their VOWS OF loyalty to their country. And
this sentiment is by no means confined to the
Grand Army it is fully shared by all loyal
citizens, who feel that they have an equal in-
terest with the comrades in keeping green the
memories OF the dead soldiers of the union.
And in all this there is no indication of ami.
mostly, but only manifestation of deep
love of country a love that shall place the
interests and the honor of our country above
our own lives. We would have the spirit of
loyalty so interviewer into the very being of
our people that another rebellion shall be i'm
possible In this spirit the citizens generally
will join with the comrades of the Grand
Army in paying afTectionate tribute to the
memory of the noble soldiers who laid down
their lives that the nation might be saved
The battle is over, but our duty is not yet
done, and il seems TO me that we cannot bet
ter show our appreciation OF the virtues of
our dead heroes than by being as faithful SOL
diers of our heavenly King as they were faith
full soldiers under an earthly leader. You are
| not to rally your forces and combine your en-
ergies to destroy the bodies of the children
of men, but rather TO promote your own sal
vation and that of others. This we should
do. We should see to il that the sacrifices of
our dead soldiers shall not be suffered to pass
| unregarded that the example of their heroic
| self-abnegation shall not be lost but the les
son it teaches be preserved, that future gen
eratons may profit by it, and others be as
ready to die for right and honor and good
| government as they were. Each of us has a
battle to fight. All have an enemy to contend
with. We need to put on the whole armor OF
God that we may withstand his assaults, and
| faith that we may gain the victory. We
ought not to fight for ourselves merely but
for others as we'll. The true soldier in an
earthly army does not fight for himself
He fights as one of many for a common
cause. He is willing to die for his part, tC
have his place filed up, and be forgotten pro
vided the victory be won by his commander
This is what touches US all in a soldiers life
Let us remember that we are parts of a grea
army, having comrades, and that We shoul'
work for the triumphs of a common cause
Probably there is not one of the brave, gen
erous men before me, who would not go to tn
field of battle to fight against common foe
We feel within ourselves the power to die TO
others as Christ did. But can we live for 9th
ers as Christ did? It is far more difficult
assure you, to live for the truth than to di
for it,
We are called to be soldiers of the cross
and how cheering the thought that Christ
our leader. In memorable battle of histor
an army of patriots were sorely pressed
. They were yielding their ground at ever
point. Vainly the captains shouted $50
ward" Vainly the colonies smote the n
treating with their swords, yelling, Back, }
towards charge the foe !" Ever baokwar
fell the staggering squadrons, until at lengt
retreat was giving place to widest pani
Just at this critical moment, when all SCENE
lost, the commanding general flashed throug
their broken ranks waving a sword whio
had never known dishonor, and shouting
"a "Follow me- boys !" At that word eveI
n nerve tingled, every pulse leaped every hea
bounded, every backward step was turne
and an invncible army charged under tn
leadership to victory That is Christ's sty
of command He never stands in the rel
crying, "There's the enemy up and at them
o, no The Captain of our salvation is
leader and the hardest command he lays u
on his sodiery is that oft repeated Folio
me-" No private in his army can ever cor
plain that his general exposes him more this
he does himself What a blessed and ehee
ing thought is this Now it inspires Il
- weary and fainting, Who would wish to