Connecticut western news., 1891-06-24

the appropriation.
 The first act of your committee was to call a meeting of citizens in order to as- certain the feeling of the community in regard to the matter. The meeting was very we'll attended and continued for several hours, and it was the opinion of the majority present that the village park was the most suitable place for the monument. After many interviews with citizens in all parts of the town your committee became satisfied that the present location would satisfy the greatest number, and by the kind per mission of the board of trustees of the park fixed the site thereon.
 Your committee expended much time and thought in the selection of de- sign, and believing that small reward would stimulate the efforts of designers to submit unhackneyed themes, prize of $50 for 8 successful subject was duly advertised. This effort brought large number of plans, all of them possessing merit and some of them were exceeding ly good. Your committee, however, found that the unique design of MT George E. Bissell, of Poughkeepsie, himself native of Litchfeld county, and gallant soldier of the war. pos sessed features of peculiar excellence and it was accordingly adopted.
 Your committee then advertised for proposals to erect the monument &C., cording to Mir Bissell's specifications being opened at the designated hour lowest by quite an amount and he was awarded the contract.
 Mir Norton in conclusion, said:
 At last the promises of Salisbury to her citizen soldiers have been fulfilled. When the first mutterings of the war reached these quiet hills and valleys. and stalwart men were needed at the front, volunteers were promised many things; they were promised pecuniary recognition of their services, and every man from Salisbury who enlisted after September l, 1882, was voted bounty reaching as high as &700 in some in- stances; they were promised every pos sible care and comfort in the camp, and the benefactions of our soldiers aid societies followed our boys to the far thest front, their families were promis- ed all needed assistance, and no one can deny that every soldiers family within our borders has received most liberal treatment; and finally they were promised that their names should be held in grateful rememberance, and after many years of patient waiting, To-, this poem in bronze and stone arises to redeem the pledge. Thank God, mot 8 spot or stain of dishonor, so far as her soldiers are concerned rests upon the rock ribbed, iron-bound town of Sails bury.
 But, my fellow citizens this monu- ment is something more than 8 memo rial, it is prophecy. It seems to say that the majestic figure of the Ameri- can commonwealth is not looking back ward; it's face is turned toward the glowing future; it says that in the fu- ture as in the past our nation will hold aloft those heaven-born priciples of lib erty and union one and inseperable which our fathers and our brothers died to maintain: it points to the motto of our State and says that in God we trust as the Almighty Power, which, having ever; and it says that in the future. as in the past, should danger menace the free institutions, which are the glory of to-day, the loyal sons of Salisbury will spring to their defense and die, if need be, at the cannon's mouth.
 George E. Bissell was then introduce ed as the designer of the monument, and the appreciation of his skill was shown by the great applause with which his introduction was met.
 Hubert Williams then moved that the report of the monument committee be accepted and that they be discharged. s. P. Ensign seconded the motion and it was carried. MT Williams was then introduced, and on the part of the town responded to the report of the commit tee. Hon Henry N. Fanton, depart ment commander of the state, then re sponded on behalf of the Grand Army of the Republic, thanking the citizens of Salisbury for the tribute which they had erected to the memory of the sol | diers.
 The dedicatory hymn, (composd fol the occasion by the Hon Lyman D Brewster of Danbury. a native of Sails bury. air. Duke street, was then sung The hymn:
 Thou Spirit of Eternal Truthl
 Who didst inspire the heart of youth
 For their dear oountry's sake, to give
 Their lives, that Liberty might live;
 Thou Spirit of Eternal Powerl
 Who, in our countrys darkest hour,
 Didst give our flag Che victory.
 | And make tho re nOrn nation free:
 Thou Spirit of Eternal Lifel
 Who br1ngest peace from seas of strife,
 And from the soil, baptized with blood,
 The rose of perfect brotherhood;
 Thou Spirit of Eternal Love!
 In whom our spirits live and move,
 To Thee our dead we consecrate!
 To Thee our lives we dedicate!
 The orator of the day, the Hon Jo seph R. Hswley. was then introduced It is needless to say that his speach wa eloquent and elegant. The applaus it brought forth and the patriotism which it inspired will not be soon for gotten by those who were there.
 Voluntary speeches were made by E Lewis Moore of Birmingham, Mass. and Rev Chas B. Landon of Pleasant vile, N. r., and letter was read iron Comrade James Dean, expressing hi sorrow at being unable to attend.
 l. At the close of the exercises the lin was again formed and proceeded to tn
 town hall, where collation. was sery
 ed. Great credit is due to the ladie who provided this bountiful repast t the soldiers and invited guests. Full 900 partook and yet the supply wa
 not exhausted.