Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-31

A significant part of the address was
that in which the speaker alluded to the
development of secret societies as factors
to influence and control the political situa-
ton, and we quote his language in full:
"Ths is an age in which secret societies
are numerous and popular, and when prop
erly conducted for good cause are a
source of much enjoyment and pleasure.
Social orders and mutual benefit associa-
tions meet with the earnest approval and
support of conscientious men, but the most
baneful, treacherous and dangerous men,
ace TO free government is a secret politi-
cal organization. A secret machine to lay
down. the policy of government or plan the
work of a political campaign, is so incon-
sistent with the conception of a scheme for
a government by the people, that it cannot
live without fastening upon the body poll
tic cancerous growth, that in time mus
submit to the surgery of civil war. The
truth of this proposition has been so often
demonstrated that no argument is needed
to enforce it, and yet in some sections of
this land at this hour, are being instituted
secret orders to control and manipulate
elections, and hoist into public places men
who would never be thought of for politi-
cal positions, if they took their chances
upon their merits, before the honest judg-
ment of the enlightened public who would
judge only by ability and fitness. Such
methods must ruin any public service, and
subordinate the public good and safety to
unholy combinations for personal ambition.
1t is of little moment what name you give
to these political bandits, they should be
discountenanced and eradcated as soon as
possible. Open public canvass, with moth
ing secret but the ballot, is the only path
of safety.
'There is no objection to thorough Or
ganization, and organized honest effort to
forward the plans of party, and bring the
judgment and will of freemen to the sup
port of particular measures and men. The
thing to be deprecated is conspiracy, doubly
dangerous because shrouded in darkness,
and protected by the imposition of oaths,
promises and ceremonials, that control the
conscience and blind the judgment, fa-
miliar examples of which are the South
ern Sons of Liberty, Knights of the Golden
Circle, Know Nothngs, Malta, not to men
tion others more recently projected, indi-
Gated by various names and initial letters"
The speaker next alluded to the growing
tendency for capital and labor to come in
to stubborn and even bloody contest. He
denounced equally the attempts of capital
to Cypress labor, and of laborers to Cypress
capital by denying its possessor the legiti-
mate and proper conduct of his own busi-
ness. The right to refuse to work except
on terms satisfactory to the laborer must
be protected, and the attempt of one la
bOrer to prevent another from work on
terms satisfactory to him must be resisted,
even to the use of military force if the gov
ernment finds necessary.
Proceeding to speak of the more distinct
lively memorial sentiments of the occasion
Col. Baker recognized in full measure the
valor, the determination, and the devotion
of the southern soldiery in the war of 1861.
But" he said, II wish to carry with this
my strong detestation of the crime they
were guilty of in taking up arms against
the constitutional authorities of their coun-
try. Treason is the highest crime against
society, and the lesson of this day is not
that personal valor in war should be ex-
tolled and emulated except it be i II a right
cause, and for the safety of the people and
the perpetuity of blessings to men.
efforts are often made by good people
as well as by some who were enrolled on
the wrong side in our struggle, to turn this
day into memorial to physical courage,
leaving out the great moral spirit that must
lie at the foundation of patriotism. This
effort should be resented, because Memo
rial day has no meaning to us worth re-
membering, unless it comes sanctified by
the cause, the spirit and the devotion of
Lincoln, and the Christian and philan-
thrOpic men and women of the loyal North
as well as the valor and suffering of the
men in the field. For these reasons, brave
men who gave up their lives in rebellion
have no part in the exercises of this day,
and the ceremonies advertised for this hour
on the shores of Lake Michigan, where a
monument of stone is to be uncovered in
honor of the rebel soldiers buried at Chi
cago, is a perversion of the day, an in
suit to loyalty and merits the protest and
vigorous words spoken by Commander
Thayer of the Department of Massachu-
setts. 1t is desecration and the loyal
people of this country, north and south,
should declare their adherence of it in
terms that will etfectually prevent another
attempt to build a confederate monument
on northern soil and dedicate it on the day
set apart as memorial to patriotism and
love of country.
"With hearts saddened by this desecration
let us proceed with our service. AS each
grave is approached in reverence and love,
there will well up in our hearts springs
of memory, and you will see in pro
cession your heroic dead. Each of
them has history, and l know that my
best service would be to relate the story of
their lives, their service for their country
and what place they filled in the war that
cost them their lives, but / did not know
them as you did, and it may perhaps be
better that individual merit should be ST.
lently contemplated in the heart, while we
unite in paying our homage publicly to all
who have part in this great salvation,
and as we contemplate the scene being en-
acted at Chicago we shall and must breathe
greater devotion to country and to God,
and feel yelling up in our hearts a deeper
hatred for treason, rebellion, oppression
and wrong, thus eXemplifying the oft re-
peated adage, that all things shall be over
ruled for good.
"There is in your hands, comrades, a
trust which is sacred to the memory of the
dead, and more sacred for its influence
upon the living. These lessons of Mem
orial day are imposed upon this and COM
ing generations, not only to honor those
resting places of the patriot dead with
decorations and praise, but also to edu-
cate the young to the full meaning of
the ceremony in which you engage, and
the cause of it, so as to defend, preserve
and protect every right which was secured
by the service of the loyal arms when re-
bellion struck against the institutions of
freedom. The lessons of loyalty to law
and to liberty are best taught by jealous
watch for every danger, and the applica-
tion of the guarantees of the constitution
to every new question that does or can
arise. We are all guardians of the public