The Newtown bee., 1893-09-01

al sons, knowing the generous hospitali- ty of the people, I want to extend my kindly greetings with those already so fittingly extended to these noble veterans of the 17th regiment. There is also an- other reason why it gives me great pleas ure to say word. As one who first saw the light of earth upon tine day when the dear old flag was fired upon, I feel that l am
 CHILD OF THE WAR. And having grown up in this land of the free, whose liberties have been preserved to us by the veterans and their comrades of the war, I feel like laying my sprig of ivy upon the graves of our noble dead, and extend to the living my cordial greet ing and hearty word of appreciation. Among the original inhabitants of this section of New England, it was custom when one of their brave chiefs died, to lay his body to rest beside some of these beautiful streams, or placid lakes. And then, as in the chase, or on the war-path, they passed by the grave of their noble comrade, they would take a stone from the side of the way and reverentially dead hero brave. So, following this ex- ample of the simple children of the for est, would erect my stone of memorial over the graves of the brave men who have
 DIED TO PRESERVE THE UNION,
 united and inviolate. Two grand lessons have the veterans of our Civil war taught to the children of this generation. One is the noble lesson of patriotism. Where ever the dear old flag floats over the world, there have the veterans, who were beneath it's folds, lifted it up, that the human race might know that there was liberty and freedom for mankind. Let us, their children, learn well the lesson. And let us still lift up the dear old flag that our fathers carried through blood and carnage, that humanity may come beneath it's folds to freedom. The other lesson is that of loving and reverential care of the dead. To me, there is no day more precious in it's thoughts than Dec oration day. As the old soldiers wreathe their garlands and lay them upon the graves of their dead hero comrades, at the head there seems to bend the angel of love, and at the foot the angel of grat- itude
 | As THE HEROIC DEEDS
 of the heroic soldiers are recalled. So my friends let these battle scared veterans teach us to remember and cherish the memory of our beloved dead that their lives may be an inspiration to us for nobler living. will close what 1 have to say with few lines that 1 have writ en as tribute to this day and this worthy band of veteran visitors.
 With banners and flags and rejoicing, | We greet the old soldiers to-day,
 Remembering their actions heroic
 On battle fields far away.
 | Midst the music of cannon and bullet, They fought for this land ot the free. The watchwo word, "The Union fcreyer," Their purpose, 'tFor all Liberty"
 
 | land
 They marched every toe to subdue,
 They fought for the right and for freedom, They died with nobility true.
 In the woods, on the plains of the Southland They poured out their blood on the sod, Their lives they gave up tor their country,
 Their souls, pure and white, went to God.
 Let us cheer the old soldiers still lett us. Their ranks have grown now sadly few,
 May God in great love e'er watch OCT them Till they gather for Heavens review.
 Three cheers were given for Gen. W. H. Noble, as he rose to speak. His re-
 marks were brief, and in closing he called on Editor A. H. Byington of the Norwalk Gazette, to tell the story of his
 famous dispatch to the Tribune from
 Gettysburg.
 Editor Byington expressed his pleas ure in meeting the veterans again and ) rehearsed his experience in getting , the message to New ' ork, via Wash ington, to the enjoyment of his hearers He exhibited large flag, which wa: presented by South Norwalk ladies il war times to the Douglas Fowler com pany of South Norwalk. The flag wal
 captured by the Rebels, and was after
 wards returned to the regiment through , the influence of member of Congress. COL $. G. BLAKEMAN, now senior vice-commander of the de partment of Connecticut, spoke briefly Zalmon s. Peck came forward with | , handsome loaf of cake, decorated il : frosting with muskets, and the words , ssthe 17th Connecticut regiment,' and il brief speech, presented it to Gen Noble
 Just before the adjournment, the follow | ing executive committee was announced 2 I Col Henry Huss of Mt Vernon, Patricl Wade of Bridgeport, Charles Smith o F Norwalk, I. Mead of Greenwich ant
 Francis M. Bliss of Canaan. I Letters of regret were received iron , Hon D. N. Morgan, secretary of tn , treasury, and Gen M. c. Mclean, tn