Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-06-02

Memorial Day was observed here with
appropriate exercises and notwithstand-
ing the rain both days there was large
attendance of our citizens who thus at
tested their appreciation for those whose
memories they concentrated. The ex-
ercises in Dubois 4 Gays hall Sunday
were most excellent and the address by
Rev. Mr.. Hamblin the best we ever heard.
Details from the Post decorated the graves
of the dead heroes in different parts of
the town and in Braintree on Monday but
the rain so seriously interferred with the
program that the exercises had to be held
in the hall. The address by Rev. Mr.. Nor.
row was highly complimented as an able
effort. A pleasant feature of the day was
the presentation of beautiful flag to
Camp j. B. Mead, s. of V. by Mrs. Mead
The presentation speech by Rev. Mr.. Har-
dy we give in full. 1t was happily re-
sponded to by j. B. Eldredge.
70 Col J. B. Mead Camp, No. 81, Sons
of Veterans of the Grand Army of the Re
public.
COMMANDER AND COMRADES:
1t Is not
often that am called to a public service
which has so much Of privilege and pleas
ure in ii, as the one | am now 10 DO in your
behalf.
II is privilege to have part in anything
which is calculated to perpetuate in the
of patriotism of the former one, an espec-
ial privilege to do anything in recounting
to the sons, the bravery and heroism OF
the fathers. And so | am glad to appear
before you to render service which shall
remind you Of the debt OF gratitude which
both you and the country owe to those
whose worthy names you bear.
have been selected as the representa-
tive of Mrs Laura 5. Mead, wife of Col.
John b. Mead whose noble name the
Camp bears, to convey to you in her name
a memorial flag. Ii was the intent of Col
Mead TO do you this honor and favor him
self, but he did not live to bring it to pass.
1t now becomes the sad and tender privi-
lege of his wife to complete the work he
was not spared to do.
Here again the personal privilege to me
of this occasion broadens. ] hold the
name of Col. Mead in first and loving re-
membrane as personal friend. / have
not ceased to grieve over the loss which |
sustained, both in the relation of a COM
mon friendship and Christian fellowship
in his death. esteemed him for what he
was in his Christian manhood, in his 10y
atty to truth, his love of Righteousness,
his enthusiasm of noble purpose.
learned to esteem him also in common
with so many others as a citizen and
townsman, to value his high aim and
self-denying efforts to promote among US
whatsoever things were pure, just, honest,
true and of good report. learned to have
friends and towDman's pride in the
record OF his unfailing courage, self-fpr-
getting patriotism and personal achieve
ments as soldier in the time of the ma
toms peril. No theme stirred all his re-
sources of being, imagination, thought,
speech and feeling into eloquence as when
he lived over again the scenes of war and
helped others to. live them also. The best
conception l ever had of "Shsridan at
Winchester and 20 miles away came from
his lips.
/ am glad to know that to many per-
son in this community and throughout
this state he loved so much and in other
states as well, he stood in the same rela-
tionship as to myself Ana so it becomes
my larger privilege to do this service to
YOU in their behalf and in the name of the
donor, Mrs. Mead.
Camp No. 81, Sons OF Veterans, you bear
a worthy name, that of Col. John B.
Mead. Additional honor is conferred on
you this day in this flag presented in the
name and memory OF him by which you
are already known.
This is to-day the flag OF peace tho Civ
en- in memory Of the DAYS Of battle. God
grant it may lie to you and to your chill
dren'e children as flag of peace! God
grant its uses may be limited to the mem
cries OF the past, to decorate your hail
and float above your ranks on these Me-
mortal days.
But il again, treason and crime should
threaten the life of this beloved country
and tn defense of liberty and righteous
ness should require another sacrifice at
the hands Of a loyal peoTl,, remember as
sons of brave and noble fathers, your du-
" to their memory and the country to
which they gave their lives. Bear it away
in the same spir in which your fathers
went and led your children tell to Others
who are TO come after them, the story of
your love and loyalty to your fathers
home, your fathers name. your fathers
country and your fathers God.