Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-06-04
AT THE POST ROOMS.
Remarks by President Buokham, Rev. DIR.
Halves, Rev. Mr.. Rowe, Rev. MT. Wheel
and Others.

At the close of the exercises in the
opera house, the members of the post,
Sons of Veterans, and several invited
guests, assembled at the post rooms. and
listened to several interesting speeches.
Commander Van Steinberg first called up
on President Buckham, who responded in
his usual felicitous manner. He eXpI cssed
his pleasure at being present and able to
tell part of what he felt in honor Of the
day. He had looked forward to the day
with some anxiety, not but that he had
fun confidence In the Grand Army boys,
but not so much in the people at large. The
politicians of both parties have tried to
lead the people on false scent with
their talk OF war, The old soldiers thus
far have expressed no symapthy with
this feeling. He also said he felt some
anxiety as to what the orators OF the day
would say. lie thought that the soldiers
felt that they had been engaged in one
holy war and would not enter hastily in
to another. In the old soldiers is q resort
and source OF safety in the midst OF
this jingolsm. The soldiers who have
fought in the war OF the Union cannot
be easily seduccd into entering war
with other nations,
Rev, Edward Halves n. D., was called
upon next. He thought that on such oc-
casions the old soldiers would prefer 10
be reminiscent rather than to listen to
of three thoughts had occurred to him
Some of tho great things seem greater as
they reccde in distance or time, and this
Is eminently true of the war, which WAS
one of the greatest things in Christian
civilization. He compared it to a certain
cathedral in Europe, which to one stand
Ing near 1t. does not impress its lnagni-
tude upon them but as one draws away
from it, 1t seems to grow larger and larger
towering above everything else At The
time OF the war, no one fully appreciated
its significance, as they do now and
| this significance and import continually
| increases, as it recedes, proof of this IS
| that year after year we gather together
and discuss 1t with undiminished interest.
DR.. Halves also spoke of the burial places
of England's heroes as compared with
those of our own. The former to a large
majority, are inferred either at West
minister Abbey or st. Paul's, while ours
are scattered all over the northern part
of our country
Rev. II. S. Rowe was called upon next
and spoke Of the significance OF the day,
giving us much to think about He had
been thinking how easy 1t was to stir up
this war feeling, and It had occurred to
him that some day this spirit must die
and never again control the Christian ma
lions OF the world. He spoke of the mill
| tary rule of the nations of Europe and
their easy resort to war on the slightest
propagation. This miltarism must soon
die. The spirit of our common patriotism
must or WIFI not die, however. There Is a
vast difference between patriotism and
militarism, one that we must carefully
consider
Rev. Fl. L. Wheeler said that every
| year he had new sense of the import
ance of the day in comparison with the
other national holidays. To him the day
Is very serious and thoughtful on account
Of his memories of the war. some of which
he related, In closing he expressed more
confidence In the people of the United
States than in their leaders In the houses
| of Congress.
Prof. J. f. Goodrich was the next
speaker. He thought that the present
and future generations of the country
would be ready to shoulder arms In de-
Tense Of our country as did the old sol
diers 35 years ago. The instruction In
patriotism In our schools and colleges Is
Of the best. and the young men OF the
country know their duty and can be re-
lied npon to do 1t.
Col. G.. @, Benedict was called upon and
Congratulated the post on being present In