Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-05-30
say: How can we pupils of the school
fail to be loyal and true,
Win freedoms soil beneath our feet,
Ana freedoms banner streaming DER us

/ AeAAA W U0 1Oyt1 anu True,
With freedoms soil beneath our feet,
Ana freedoms banner streaming DER us
What is the American flag? It is a
growth rather than a creation. The
liked portion of our banner is its
thirteen stripes, proclaiming the origi-
nal number of states, and suggesting
the birth and history of the nation. That
portion of the banner which suggests
hope and progress, is the blue field with
It's clustering stars; for as in the blue
dome of heaven there is room for every
new born star. SO in the blue field of our
banner there is room for every new born
state.
What did the flag represent to Lin
coin, and Grant, and Sherman, and
Sheridan, and Foote and Farragut? The
same as to every private soldier. The
nag stood for this new nation dedicated
to the proposition that all men are
created equal. 70 make this dedication.
complete one great evil must be re-
moved. That evil was slavery, and by
the war slavery was removed. That
made it possible-as it had not been
before-for all the members of this great
nation to love each other with true
affection. There are now no battle
lines, no great armies, no camp fires on
southern hills and plains, no bugle call,
no weary marches, no wounded and
days OF deep distress over defeat or ex-
uitatlon over victory, no rebel flag float
ing defiance to our ensign of stars. The
UNION was preserved and we are not
crushed beneath its broken column.
We are now in the midst of peace and
prosperity. But, citizens of Waterbury.
the wonderful blessings which we en-
JOY, We're purchased by the blood of
your slain which Redeemed the fields of
Al
ness, the slopes of Wagner, the bayous
of Louisiana, or wherever on the ridge
of battle the blue flag of Connecticut
held its place side by side with cold
Glory"
There is now no great danger of war
like attack from domestic or foreign foe,
but we do need at this time to guard
well against the slow, but certain, I'M
dermining consequent upon the intro
duction and acceptance of immigrants
with anti-republican purposes and aims.
Let occasions like this bring ever to
mind that the sure foundation of a re-
publican government is the intelligence,
loyalty and virtue of its citizens. Rest
ing on this foundation this republic will
live while time endures. Remove these
glaNite rocks and substitute in their
place the crumbling sands of ignorance.
dlsloyalty, profigacy and anarchy, and
totter to its fall and become wreck be-
fore an astonished world.
Comrades of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and all veteran soldiers and
sailors here present: congratulate you
that you have lived to see another
Memorial day; that you have again wit
messed. the tender evidences of affection
for your departed comrades; that you
haye witnessed and participated in the
impressive ceremonies of this hour and
place, and have heard and Joined in the
fervent petition for the continued
blessing and favor of Almighty God ON
your country. This remember: As
soldiers of the republic you enlisted for
the war; the war ended, your services
as soldiers ended, but as citizens of the
republic you are enlisted for life. Be
worthy of the tender care and solicitude
of the women of the Relief corps, and
set high example of loyalty, of obedi-
ence to law, and of all the virtues to
the young.
Comrades, with us it is ebb tide. All
our great leaders of the war have sur
rendered their earthly commissions to
| accept, as we will believe, further SER
vice for righteousness with the re-
deemed above. But, comrades, we will
not hang our harp on the willow. Let
us make each day as full of melody and
| cheer as we may. Let us so live that
when the bugle sounds ttLights Out" we
| shall quickly hear the sweet notes of
"Reveille" on the camping ground
above.
Decorating the Graves. o
At an early hour this morning the
squads appointed by Wadhams' Post to
decorate the graves performed their