Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1895-06-14
Memorial Day at Island Pond.

EoNcLusl0A OF W. Z. RANGERS ADDRESS
Our Union is river, lake, ocean and sky.
Man breaks not the medal when God cut,
the die
Though darkened with sulphur, though
ClOVen with steel
The blue arch will brighten the winters will
heal!" 'f
Whatever weakness in our national
union the pessimist may note, abundant
evidences might be cited to attest the
permanent growth of nationality and
union. The instructive events of recent
years show Enthusiastically that our people
are learning to rise above partizanship
and sectional strife and to be Americans
lrst and Democrats or Republicans af-
forwards. Again, while we cannot soon
forget that from an attack on Massa-
chusetts troops passing through Balti
more was split the first blood of the war
tor union on the 10th OF April, 1861, the
same day on which the first blood was
shed for the cause of independence at
lexington III 1875, we are inspired to
belleve III the accomplishments of the
war lor union, when we appreciate the
significance of the reception given by
baltimore to Massachusetts veterans of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Inc two greatest works ever written
on American institutions are DeTocoue-
Yiile's Democracy in America" issued in
1885 and Bryce's "The American Com.
monwealth" issued in 1888, the former
written by Frenclman and the latter
by an Engllshman fifty .three Years after
Both made thorough study of our in
stltutlons, DeTocqueviIe noting the "in-
hcrent weakness of the bond of national
unity propheSied the downfall of the
Republic before the end of the present
century. Doubtless his calm observation
was correct i'll the light of historical
knowledge, tor never before had appeared
so deep patriotism and so free a sacri
nee to save country from almost ineyi-
table rum. He failed to reckon on the
men OF 81 and 60. But for the brave
boys i'll blue the Republic had been a
wreck But fifty years later comes a
learned Englishman to study our politi-
cal institutions, Meanwhile the War of
the Rebellion had been fought and its
victories won. We do well to mark the
observations of Rrof. Bryce as he notes
the elements of strength in our National
commonwealth. Cannot we read in
these volumes the evidences for trust
hHe's thN iltSlliSCHCS O1 the American
people will ever recognize that upon nm
ION lis conditioned the veal of our re-
liEious, political, and industrial institu-
tons, and the well-being of eyerv citizen
however humble? May we not have an
abiding faith that the herita of a truer,
stronger union hequcathed to coming
generations by that immortal band Of
heroes, will be cherished in thankful
memory and maintained by that cour-
age, consistency, sacrifice and patriotism
which they will have learned from its
preserverS
The historian of today often wonders
that it took so many years for the Ameri.
can people to settle the question of slav-
cry. And wonder is expressed that orr
nation should exist nearly one hundred
years before it learned the need of a more
perfect union. The historian five hun
dred years hence perchance will wonder
mat Americans made history so fast
Our nation is still in its youth. The war
Tor union centuries hence will seem to !
nave soon followed the war for independ- |
ence, and the patriots of '76 and the pat
Flpts OF 81 will appear to have laid the