The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-05-31
MEMORY IND TEARS.
Montpelier's Celebration of the Day Kept
in Remembrance OF Those who Died
that the Nation Might Live-Thc Ser
vices sunday and Memorial Day.


in Remembrance OF Those who Died
that the Nation Might Live-Th Ser
vices on sunday and Memorial Day.
AS the years pass the significance of Me-
mortal Day becomes more aud more apDar-
ent. The fading light of almost third
of a century that has passed since the
civil war broke out has not diminished the
patriotism of this nation, and every recur-
ring Memorial Day sees it lovingly roofing
with flowers the last earth dwellins-uf those
who fought To perpetuate it.
The observance of the day in Montpelier
was much the same as in former years. A
memorial service was held at Christ church
last Sunday afternoon which attracted
very large congregation Brooks Post,
Brooks Relief Corps, and General stephen
Thomas Camp Sons of Veterans attended in
a body and were seated in the center Of the
church. The post and camp flags were un-
furled at the left of the chancel, and the
choir gallery rail was draped with the
national colors. Following a brief ritual
service, in which the choir rendered several
beautiful selections, Rev. A. n. Lewis, the
rector, preached sermon which held the
closest attention of his hearers and which
has since been the subject of much favor
able comment. Did space permit, it would
be given in full. His text was from II.
Peter, LIZ: Wherefore | will not be neg
ligent to put you always in remembrance of
these things though ye know them" The
speaker referred to the fact that Memorial
Day was not intended to celebrate the vic
tory of the North over the South, but to
keep in everlasting remembrance those who
died that the nation might live. The causes
of the war were referred to at some length,
and the thought emphasized that, although
there will probably never be another war Of
secession in this country, there may be
wars more terrible and disastrous, of capital
against labor wars of dynamite, death and
destruction. In addressing the members of
the Grand Army in closing, Mr.. Lewis said:
Comrades of Brooks Post; thirty-two o years
have rolled away since you responded to
your countrys call, and stood shoulder to
shoulder in defense of the Union Your
faces have grown wrinkled; your hair has
turned gray when you read you look
through glass darkly'; the bread crust
tries your teeth more than the hard-tack
you munched in camp and on the march
You are no longer the jaunty young fellows
who marched to the front in 81. Every
year your ranks are growing thinner. Many
OF your comrades have been mustered out
by the grim adjutant, Death. The time is
not far distant when this Brooks Post and
the Grand Army itself must be disbanded
for lack of members. But your names shall
not die. Nay, your departed comrades are
not dead. They live in the grateful recol-
lections of a redeemed and regenerated
country. And so close my sermon with
this sentiment: The dead of Brooks Post
and of the Grand Army of the Republic
on Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread.
While Glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead"
Under bright skies and smiles from Ma
ture the exercises yesterday were held
The procession was formed shortly after ten
O'Clock on Barre street, the right resting on
Main, in the following order: w. f. Water
man, marshal and staff; Montpelier Mill
tary Band, q p. Pitkin, leader; Capital
Guard, Company II, First Regiment, n g.
v, Captain A. G. Eaton. commanding; car
riage with orator, Rev w. j. O'Sulliyan,
and chaplain, Rev A. n. Lewil, st. Jean
Baptiste Society, John Ducette, president;
Court Ethan Allen, No. 1911, A. o +. of
A., Marshall Laviolette president; Mount
Zion Commandery, knights Templar. No.
., f. l.. Eaton, commander; Canton Mont
pelier, No. s, Patriarchs Militant, w. A.
Taylor, captain; carriages with children;
Brooks Post, No. 49, & A, X j. III. Lucia,
commander; disabled veterans and mem-
bers of the Relief Corps in carriages.
The usual route was traversed, returning
TO the opera house, where the exercises took
place. Prayer was offered by Rev. A. n.
Lewis, the chaplain, After the memorial
ceremonies of the Grand Army had been
performed, the band played renting To-
night and General j. IL. Lucia, who pre-
sided, pleasantly introduced Rev. w j.
- sullivan, the orator of the day. Those
who know the superior oratOrical powers of
Father O'SulliVan need not be told that he
was equal TO the occasion In about twenty
minutes he delivered a most eloquent adj
dress that was packed with thoughts peril
nent to the occasion, clothed with a beauty
OF diction for which the reverend gentle
man, among his own congregation espe
CONTINUED ON FOURTH PAeKl