The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-06-04
Decoration Day.

seemed willing to lend her gracious smiles
to the observance of day that is dear to
the hearts of our countrymen, as present
ing to us the opportunity Of publicly man
ifesting our affection and love, in per.
petnating the memory of those who in
the dark hours of our nations peril, left
homes, their firesides, and all that was
most sacred to them, to shed their preci-
Gus blood upon the altar of our national
honor.
! The ceremonies of the day began with
the assembling at the headquarters oil
Major G. A. Angel Post, No. 20, G. A. r..
of this city, at P. NJ. The main line was
then formed; consisting of Grand Mar
shal of the day, Comrade G. II. w. Van
solver, the Citizens Cornet Band, Com
pany of this city, number of young
men and children, bearing floral offerings
to be used in decorating the graves of the
veterans, the members of the G.. A. r.
and carriages containing the orators OF
the day and public citizens. After coun-
termarching on Union street, the line pro-
ceeded to Mount Hope Cemetery, where
the ceremony Of decorating the graves
was attended to, after which the line OF
march was taken up and the column pro
ceeded to Holcombe 5 Hail. in obedience
to a resolution also to be carried into eff
feet in the future, of having the oratorica
exercises in public hall, instead of at
the cemetery, as upon previous occasions.
There was pretty fair audience present
to do honor to the occasion. The clergy
were represented by the Revs. p. A Stud.
diford, ]. A. Dilks, E. X. Smith, of this
city and G.. Read, of New Hope, Pa. The
exercises began with beautiful and appro-
pirate music by the Citizens Cornet Band
after which neat and patriotic address
was made by the Grand Marshal of the
day, G. II. w. Vansciyer, appropriate TO
the occasion. "A
A beautiful and touching prayer was
then offered by the Rev P. A. Stnddiford.
The band followed with appropriate
music, after which the Grand Marshal in
troduced the orator of the day, the Rev.
j. A. Dilks of the NJ. E. Church, of this
city.
Mr.. Dilks in his opening remarks re-
/ ferred TO the nature and Importance of
the ceremonies of Decoration Day, stating
that he was glad that the nation had kept
faith with its soldiers in this respect; W it'll
those who had kept faith with the nation.
| The wealthy Vanderbilt, of New York,
was at one time heard to express himself
as being willing to give "bonds but not
his life, for the great cause then at issue
between the north and south; but the
soldiers had done more than this, they
had given their lives to their country.
gentleman had remarked to the speak
er that he had given all he was worth to
his country, to put down the late rebel
lion and that was au only son. We are
here to day to pay a tribute Of respect
and perpetuate the memory of those who
| lost their lives on the field of battle. The
ceremonies of the day are of benefit to
those who are living, and gratifying to
the veterans and comrades to know we
remember and appreciate their services.
To the widows and orphans of those
who died for their country, it was fitting
consolation, and there are many of these
present here o,day. 1t was benefit to
the young men of this generation. We
have long future before us, many pages
of history yet remaining. The great con-
test between slavery and civil liberty is
not yet ended. There may at some future
time be enemies OF our country who will
rise up against our republic, and we may
be called on again to go to the battle field.
We mnst instil into the hearts Of the
rising generation, those principles for
which our soldiers died. | well remem-
Der how as boy, the stories of the heroes
Of the Revolution inspired my heart;
the stories Of Putnam, Valley Forge, Lex
ington aud Bunker Hill made me patrio-
tic. Bring it to the minds and hearts of
the present generation and inspire their
patriotism.
The cause Of the nation must be made
that Of the people, the common soldier
must he more highly esteemed. Turn
back the pages Of history, look at the
early history of the world with its wars,
and note the ardour of the soldiers.
Xerxes, King of Persia, with his barbar-
Gus horde--they were all for their king;
Leonidas with his band of brave Spartans
at Thermopylae gave their lives for their
country, not only Leonidas, but his three
hundred brave men died for the independ-
ence of Greece.
1t is true that the cause Of the country,
brought TO the hearts Of the common PEG.
pie, will better the condition of the COM
mon people. To our country we have a
government for the people and by the peo-
pie. They have been fighting for them
selves, for their own cause, as has always
been the case in the history of our
country, during the Revolution. in Mexico
and in our late rebellion.
In all of our great struggles the men
have gone from their farms, their homes
and firesides. The great Washington,
the leader of the Revolutionary army, was
q citizen soldier, who went from his farm
to the battle field, and afterwards return
ed to his home. The cause of the citizen
soldier is dear to our hearts.
When General Butler at one time dur
ing our great struggle, had charge Of a
certain railroad in the south, it was neces-
sary to repair an engine one day, when
one of the men engaged in tho work re-
marked. "why General, helped to build
that engine in our shop at home - When
Fort Sumpter was stormed, every man =
own home, his family were also attacked