St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-06-04

prevail. 1t ably emphasized the les
sODs of the day, and was delivered
with dignity and impressiveness.
ABSTRACT OF JUDGE vEAZEY'S ADDRESS.
The speaker began by allusiOn to the
day, the silent elOquence of the floral
tribute to the patriot dead, the univer-
salty of the custom through all ages to
make appropriate expression of graft
/ tude and reverence for those who gave
/ their lives for their country, the adj
vantage and inspiration tn the living
derived from these Observances, and
the power of heroic example, making
appropriate reference to General Grant,
who now sits 10y the side of his open
grave describing the events that under
his mastery direction saved the conn
! try, as unmOved now as when he faced
| the enemy twenty years ago. He con
tinued by referring to the JOY that
peace brought, the great problems
growing out of the war, the trials
through which the nation has since
passed, the necessity of patriotism to
| the perpetuity of the republic, and
what it includes.
Judge Veazey then alluded to St.
Johnsbury as the place where his first
regiment, the Sd Vermont, was mus
tered into service, the interest that ST.
JOhnsbury had in that regiment, eulo-
giving it's bravery and services. He
! further alluded to st. JOhnsbury as be-
ing the home of the first of the trio of
| NermOnt's war governors, viz, Erastus
! Fairbanks, Frederick HOlbrOOk and
John Gregory Smith, men distinguished
for their support of the government
and attention to the soldiers of the
state, describing them as men of broad
craftsmanship and lofty patriotism,
men adequate to the requirements of
those dark and stormy days; referring
to Governor Fairbanks as ''nOt only
our Communicating chief but our Com
rade," and that as such his grave
would be garlanded with flowers and
watered with the tears of soldiers.
The speaker urged that Memorial
day should not be desecrated by frivol
ity, but should be observed rs Il memo
rial day in fact as well us name, and
begged the new generation to let the
bicycle and base ball rest for this one
day on account of the living soldiers of
the war, at least while they do live
which their gray heads Indicate will
not be for long.
After these illusions and others of
similar character the speaker said,
"With such associations aud memories
crOwding upon us, what better theme
is there for this occasion than the old
old story of the private soldier g
Taking that for his subject he drew ii
strong picture of the men who in the
ranks made the history of which the
country is SO proud, describing their
character, their patriotism, their joys
and sutferings; their fOrtitude and
bravery ; the camp, the march, the
battle, the prison. the death ; also their
love for the flag, their endurance of
defeat, their glory in victory, their de
vOtiOn and faithfulness to the end.
These points were illustrated 10y per
sOnal observations and actual Incl
dents. He distinguished between hon
or due to brave men who uphold the
right and stand for their country, and
those who were united into rebellion
against il just government. For these
there should he fOrgetfulness and for
giveness but not honor, for there can
be no honor to those who fought in
wrong cause. He did not object to
giving them privileges of citizenship
and of public office, hnt to be entitled
to honor, one must be right. The
South was wrong. He had no feeling
of bitterness, but protested against be-
slowing equal pIblic honor on the foes
who created the occasion for this Me-
mortal day. The evils and horrors of
war were alluded to, also its cOmpensa-
tons.
After summarizing the suggestions
of the occasion, the speaker said i'll
closing: "WhO will go from the graves
of the patriot dead without IL higher
resolve for the future BY them we
are again reminded of the dark days of
trial and sacrifice, of all that great con
tlict which resulted in the liberation of
a whole race of human beings from the
yoke of cruel bondage, of the mar
tyrdom of the bravest and truest SONS
of the republic, of their noble dedica-
lion To the severest duty of the citi-
zen, of the brotherhood that existed
between them and us in their exalted
work and, thrilled with these mem
cries, we would not do less, we per
haps could not do more to express our
regard for the dead, than to Irvine the
myrtle upon their tOmbs and strive to
emulate their bright example"
After the address, the congregation
sang the doXOlOgy, praise God from
whom all blessings flow" Post Chap
lain Sandford pronounced the benedic-
ton, and the band played as the audi
ence retired.
BENEFIT CONCERT SATURDAY NIGHT.
The exercises of the day ended with
"a popular concert at Music hall in the
evening. The performers generously
gave their services, and the program
had variety and scope well calculat-
ed to please a miscellaneous audience.
The concert opened with spirited
overture by the band, followed by a
memorial hymn by the double male
quartette, consisting of Messrs. Conant,
Tracy, Herrick, Humphrey, Silsby,
Whittier, May and Lee. Next the la
dies club sang "The Star Spangled
Banner" Mrs. Wallace rendering the
solo part with great brilliancy. The
club, as represented Oh this occasion,
included Miss Graves, Mrs. Wallace,
Mrs. Dunnett, Miss BlOdgett, Mrs. Nc
Neil and Mrs. Hazen. They were loud
ly applauded and gave the Evening
Hymn" by COncOne, as an encore.
Then the band played the gavOtte
"Charming" and were obliged to repeat
it. Then Messrs. COnant, Tracy, Whit
tier. and May sang Bucks ain Absence"
effectively, and secured a recall. In