The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-08-14
GRANT MEMORIAL SERVICES.
The Proceedings Here and at East Middle


The Proceedings Here and at East Middle
bury.
EXERCISES IN NHDDLEBURN SATURDAY.
The Grant memorial services in this
village last Saturday afternoon drew out
a crowd of fully two thousand persons.
\ stage was erected in the park on the
north side of the Episcopal church. Over
the front of the platform the stars and
stripes were draped above por-
trait of General Grant and above that was
tablet bearing the motto of the Grand
Army of the Repubic-"Fr Fraternity,
Charity and Loyalty" The desk upon the
platform was draped in black and on
each side of it stood tall basket covered
and filled with ferns and flowers. Many
of the stores were draped and on most of
the public buildings appeared similar en-
sigma, while at many private houses
draped flags and portraits of the dead
hero were displayed. All places of bust
ness we're closed during the exercises.
Seats were placed in the park so that
part of the large audience were very
comfortably provided for.
Soon after one o'clock a squad from
Russell Post G.. A. r.. commanded by
Officer of the Guard j. Il. williamson
bore to point in front of the stand
floral mound representing the grave of
General Grant. The mound was covered
with cedar and on it were the letters 81 .
Sc" in white flowers and number of
designs in pansies.
The procession formed in front of the
postoilce. 1t was headed by the band !;
then came the drum corps, Russell Post,
q. A. r.; Needham Post of East Middle
bury, and Samson Post of Weybridge
The line of march was through North
| Pleasant street to Seminary, up Semina-
ry to High, through High to Washington
and thence to the west side of the park.
| The veterans then formed in hollow
square about the mound in front of the
| stage.
Hon. John w. Stewart presided. Seat
ed on the platform with him were the
| speaker, Rev. Merritt IIulburd of New
York city, Rev. Messrs. Noe and Palmer
of Middlebury and Patten of Ripton,
| Hon. Henry Lane of Cornwall Command
er Tracy, Senior Vice Commander G.. III.
Williamson and Junior Vice Commander
Sargent of Russell Post and 1.-THE choir,
which was made up of many of the prom
inent singers of the village and was led
by NJ. A. Munroe.
The exercises were opened with the
singing of Nearer, my God, to Thee
and prayer by Rev. Mr.. Noe, the latter
followed by the singing of My faith
looks up to Thee"
Mr.. Stewart prefaced his introduction
of the speaker with brief and opposite
remarks. The day, he said, witnesses
one of the most striking events in Ameri-
can history-the uniting of all the people
of the nation to pay their last tribute of
respect TO the greatest and best man of
our time. Those who wore the grey as
well as those who wore the blue Join
in the days ceremonies. 1t is significant
that one of the ablest of the Confederate
generals made journey across The con-
tinent to take part in the funeral eXercis-
es. These actions mean more than re-
spect for the dead hero. They seem a
consummation of what you, veterans,
fought for-peace, union and nationality.
Those of the South cOncede by their acts
not only the greatness of him whom we
meet to-day to honor, but also that the
cause for which he fought was right
And let us hope that with his burial the
animOsities of the war will cease forever
} Mr.. Hulburd took as the theme of his
} discourse Isaiah ill.,, /, 2, 3.-"The LORD
doth take away from Jerusalem and from
Judea the stay and staff, the mighty mar
land the man of war, the prophet and the