Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-06-08

Dy uoy anu camp uf0S ny hiSHo "oo
heard the anthem of liberty, and as
'sChrist had died to make men holy,
they would die to make them free"
In Sept, 1862, Lincoln vowed that if
Lee were driven from Maryland he
would abolish slavery. And on the
18th OF that month, his prayer was
answered at Antietam. Five days
later he issued his provisional procla-
nation of emancipation, and on the
first day of Jan. 1868, he made it alb
solute. From that day the tide turn
ed, God blessed our arms, and victory
perched upon our banners. From the
first to the fourth, of July was fought
the decisive battle of the war-a bat
tie that has made the little town of
Gettysburg forever memorable in the
annals of the world. 1t is past the
power of any pen of mind to describe
the horrors of a battle like that; but
God blessed the 'sBoys in Blue'' and
gave them the victory: the command
to retreat was heard in the Confeder
ate ranks, and they fell back ,arrying
in their arms the corpse of the Con-
federacy. Back to it's grave at Apo
mattox they bore it, their muffied
drums beating the requiem of the
ssLost Cause.' Then in the Constitu-
ton was written that which the Dec
laration of INDEPENDENCE lad de-
clared long before, ''That all men
are created equal"
The speaker at this point gave with
much appropriateness the immortal
words of Lincoln, which he used at
the time of the dedication of the Ma
tional cemetery at Gettysburg.
But [ must hasten on. When the
war was over, as quickly as the vol
unteers had rushed to arms did they
dispense. Some with empty sleeves,
some with crutches, multitudes with
seeds of disease, soWn by hardship
and exposure. And then we cannot
forget the multitudes who did not re
turn, but sleep in Southern graves.
Day by day others are being mus
tured out. To them we owe debt of
8
who reap the splendor of their
achievement and enjoy the peace that
followed the victory of their arms,
are debtors in a measure that cannot
be cancelled. We are glad to offer
this tribute to those who counted life
not dear, if, by it's sacrifice, they
might preserve the union and leave
an undivided land of Freedom We
rejoice in the spirit that guards SO
tenderly their memory, loves even
their dust, and strips our homes of
their rarest flowers to scatter on their
graves annually. / would not forget
to speak of the brave wives and moth
ers, who, with breaking hearts, sent
husbands and sons to fight and, If need
be to die for the Union. Upon them
rested the heaviest cross-the deep
silent anguish of suspense. Oh! What
hours, days, and years of waiting,
longing and repining. And when the
message came that darkened their
homes forever, they pressed their lips
more tightly together and went forth
to fight life's battles alone. Nor can
we forget those noble women who,
overcoming the timidity natural to
their sex, went as ministering angels
to the hospitals and battlefielGs. 1t
was the woman's soft hand that
staunched the bleeding wounds and
cooled the fevered brow; it was wo
n 1e fao ho% fan kn
This day calls us to hold fast the prin-
ciples for which they battled. 1t is
not enough that Gods great purpose
should have place in our written
law; it must find place in our hearts.
1t must be an equality that the poor
est can enjoy, and the richest dare
not deny.
But this service has another pur-
pose,I think it has been plainly shown
that God favored the cause of free
dom, that cause for which these vete-
rams fought so nobly. And Gods
providential care has been most
marked towards this nation always.
Almost in spite of ourselves, he has
pushed us on to that which is our glo
ry. Surely we should acknowledge
Him through whom it has come. In
our Constitution where is enthroned
His great purpose, He should be ac-
knowledged whose right it is to reign.
His revealed Word should be our
highest law. His holy day be defend
ed by law. Only in their larger recog
milton can we come at last to that tex !
ceeding and eternal weight of glory
laid up for us.''
Veterans, my last words are to you.
There a-e victories yet to be won,