Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-06-05
MEMORIAL DAY IN MIDDLEBURY.
THE COLLEGE FLAo-RAslNo AND THE
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
THE FLAG.RAIs1NG AT THE COLLEGE.

HE FIAG-hAloilNO n I'M COLhispS'
The Menorial.day programme was
carried out in Middlebury in an excep-
tionally pleasant and successful manner.
The weather was favorable all through
the day, although there were indications
of ram in the early morning.
In the forenoon, beginning at 10
o'clock, were held the exercises of dedi-
eating the large and elegant new flag on
the college campus, which had been pre-
scented to the institution by M. George
H. Verder of Rutland. The flag is l04
by Is feet and floats from pole over 100
feet in height. There was a large crowd
of citizens present and William p. Rus
sell post, No. so, G.. A. r., attended in
body, forming at their hall at 80
o'clock and marching to the scene under
the lead of Commander w. w. Martin.
President Brainerd had charge of af-
fairs at the college, and excellent music
was furnished by the Glee club COM
posed of young men and women of the
college, under the direction of II. Parker
williamson.
President Brainerd make a brief and
pertinent Introductory address, explain
ing the reasons why the college had pro-
cured the flag and speaking in very feel
ing and fitting terms of the sons of the
institution who had gone out from her
halls to fight the battles of their country.
He then introduced as the orator of the
day, Mr.. Charles A. MunIOe of the senior
class. Mr.. Munroe delivered a fine his
torical and patriotic address, which was
warmly and deservedly applauded at its
close. He said in part:
National emblems have always existed
as symbols of national power From the
crescent representing the sovereignty
exercised in tents thrown upon the sands
of an Arabian desert has emanated the
idea of embodving in material form the
subtle and indOmitable force of patriotic
devotion, until we have the stars and
stripes denoting the imperial majesty of
the grandest government the world has
ever known.
No one knew more fully the meaning
of freedom and liberty than these revo-
lutionary patriots, the founders of this
college. They knew that there can be
neither dignity nor permanence in free
government unless the best thought and
the best culture shall influence the public
mind. Theirs was the opportunity of
employing their powers in educating
public sentiment and in magnifying
country as worthy the noblest zeal and
the best affection. Nearly century has
passed since the founding of this college
and we see her sons expressing the same
feeling of love and patriotism. This
is the day on which we commemorate
the heroic efforts of the Union soldiers
to maintain the constitution, to defend
the republic, to preserve inviolate the
dignity and honor of our flag. Vermont
was the first State in the Union to fur
nish supplies and soldiers. She con-
sidered herself honOred to be allowed to
contribute the bone and sinew of her
green hills to the service of her country.
Middlebury college was the foremost
institution in New England to send her
brightest and noblest sons to strike tel
ling blows for the emancipation of the
slaves.
The lessons of history do teach that
Middlebury college has been God
Mother of patriots. After a description
of the battle of Petersburg In which the
students of the college took an active
part, the speaker continued as follows
''FrOm these terrible scenes of disaster
and blOodshed we are removed hardl V
thirty years. During this brief period
the country has grown in wealth and
strength. Mechanical ingenuity and in
dustrV have made astonishing progress.
Not in national affairs alone. but through
out the body polite, no element. however
insignificant, has escaped its force. In
our own college we have unmistakable
evidences of its workings. 1t was the
duty of our ancestors to establish this
institution of learning and well did they
do 1t. 1t is now our duty to defend its
existence and promote its welfare May
we on leaving her walls not forget the
place in which our thoughts in their in
fancy were Graded and nourshed, but
may we always remain loyal to our alma
mater, and may she by the combined
efforts of her students, alumni and tacul-
ty become pillar of strength to which
the whole educated world will point with
respect and admiration forever"
The exercises were closed with music
shortly before II o'clock, and the aud
fence broke up and for the most part re-
turned down town, the post reforming
they broke ranks and disbanded until
the afternoon.
THE MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES.
The exercises proper of Memorial day
occurred at o'clock p. M. in the town
hall, which was so well filled that there
was not seat to spare. At 2l5 the
members of the post assembled in their
hall and little before o'clock, pre-
cOrted by the Sons of Veterans, they
marched to the hall and occupied the
seats reserved for them. The stage was
prettily trimmed with bunting, and seats
on the platform were occupied by Com