The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-05-31

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAgE,l
cially, is so we'll known. 1t was amodel of
conCiseness and good sense, and was often
punctuated with applause from the SCARED
veterans before him. He said, in part, " Mr..
Commander, members OF the Grand Army,
ladies and gentlemen. As / understand
the significance of Memorial Day it is a day
primarily consecratedl to the memory Of
those devoted patriot soldiers who TO save
their country, took their places and bore
arms in its defence, but who, as the years
rolled by, grounded arms, sheathed swords
and were mustered out in obedience to that
call which we all as citizens or soldiers,
must inevitably obey. AS such IL has be-
come one Of the most dearly-cherished days
to this American people, and to-day we
gather to pay just tribute of praise and
gratitude to those men who preserved and
defended for us and for all mankind the
most magnificent and greatest nation with
which Almighty God has blessed his chill
dren npon earth. 1t is said that republics
are ungrateful, but surely our glorious
country is an illustrious exception, and the
grand object for which we are met to-day
is most striking proof and evidence that
the American people are not ungrateful to
the God of nations.
In the gloomy days of the war, when our
armies, undisciplined and inexperienced,
had met defeat, that man in whose hands
Almighty God had placed the destinies of
this nation was approached one day by
friend as he sat- gloomy and thoughtful in
the chair of state. He listened patiently,
as was his wont, to the advice of his friend,
who was urging him to trust in the people,
and answered. Yes, | have confidence in
the people of this country. but not by them
shall this nation be saved. | have conf
dence in the army, / rely upon my gener-
ais, but not by any army or generals will
Lincoln (applause), our martyred president,
arose like prophet of old and declared
that only by the mercy, power and goodness
of Almighty God could this Union be pre-
served. Thank God, he lived to see that
prophecy verified" (Appausc)
The speaker then referred to the results
of the war for the Union. 1t had left a
united people, one flag and one national
aspiration. Continuing, he said 1t is the
duty Of every American citizen to respect a
member of the Grand Army. If it were in my
power, | would make it rule in the schools
that whenever the pupils meet man wear
ing the badge of the Grand Army, they
should salute him. cloud applause). At
| the exhibition of nations now in progress in
our country i would have a gallery of pat
riotism, and beside the statues of Column
bus and Washington, Lincoln and Grant, l
would place statue representing the
Grand Army" cloud applause).
The speaker related two anecdotes peril
nent to his theme and closed by saying
"And now before the Great Reaper touches
you with his scythe it is meet that we should
remember both the dead and the living
Our country has never been ungrateful &c
the men who wore the blue, and never will
be. Patriotism in this country is far above
party, or national lines, or creeds. 1t would
not be fitting for me to give lessons in
patriotism to the Grand Army. They fought
for that starry banner whose folds foa
above our hills and mountains, and to-day
would die rather than see it fall. (Cheers)
But l am sure they would never want tC
see it raised for tyranny or injustice
Should it be, am sure every member o
the Grand Army would say haul i
down. 1t is an emblem of liberty | pray
God to bless the members of the Crane
Army of the Republic. May the sunset o
your lives be peaceful and happy, and
pray that Almighty God may crown yol
with glory in the eternal ages to come"
The programme closed with exercises b,
the children, representing every state ii
the Union, pleasing features of which wer
the rectations by Claribel Hunt, Florence
Whittier and Jennie Hunt.