Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-05-21

armed traitors on the field of battle have
a desire 20 inspire your hearts with love
and devotion for the stars and stripes as
the emblem of national supremacy. Keep
it always in sight, have it in the school
room, let it float over every schoolhouse
in the land. Never haul it down, remem-
Der what it cost to keep 1t floating during
those four years of war. A love that is
chilled by the winter cold, or faints in the
summers heat, can never save any nation.
Boys, take in the spirit of the grand old
hero, Gen. John A. Dix, who said in 1851,
when the air seemed heavy with impend-
ing woe, "If anyone attempts to haul
down the American flag shoot him on the
spot Never suffer any insult to that
flag which cost so much blood and treas
ure to maintain its right to float over this
whole country. Old Glory had its birth in
Philadelphia, June Il, 1777. The day is
generally observed by the public schools of
New England and in other parts Of the
country. Let not Vermont be backward
in this observance. The American flag is
the most beautiful ensign that floats; 1t is
a pleasant sight to old soldiers to see it
| floating from the schoolhouse stats, and it
is their desire that the children shall grow
up with sense of its significance and its
beauty.
Let the girls, who are soon to step forth
to the active duties and responsibilities of
womanhood, remember that they are not
to be idle spectators in the great strife for
American liberty. They hold at their
command mighty power that is to make
| the laws and shape the destinies of the
Republic. Read the story of Barbara
Freitchie as told by the poet Whittier and
let its lesson sink deep into your hearts.
Its moral contains the germ of American
| liberty. Our hopes are in the public
| schools, our faith in the God of battles,
and the poet gives us expression:
Perish the heart that would destroy
| The temples Of our sires
Perish the heart that hopes for joys in its cousum
| ing fires.
Let not the monsters be forgot
| Who dares to light the flame.
| But curse him with a traitors lot
| And with a traitors name.
| our fainting hopes refuse to die,
| our faltering bulwarks stand,
| And freedoms banner still floats high
! Ger united land.
| The stars that gem its azure folds
| May cease a while to shine.
| But trouble not: the arm that holds
| The Flagstaff is divine.
The rebellion began conflict of such
gigantic proportions and far-reaching con-
sequences that it will forever stand as one
well do | remember those exciting DAYS
before the war, and how vivid are the scenes
of those four long, anxious years of the
great conflict.
As one who enlisted in August, 1862, a
beardlesss boy of l., and served two years
and nine months in the ranks as a private
soldier, bearing now the scars of honora-
BILE wounds received in battle, / have
the right 10 claim the name of a good
soldier My army life was a great school
to me- for | learned that all men ought to
be obedient to law and order. and that the
greatest of all is loyalty TO the Golden Rule,
1t is now 81 years since the close of the
war. A great army of those who return
ed home to enjoy the blessings of a united
country which they helped to save have
fallen out and have gone to Join the ranks
of those who died Oh the field of battle. in
camp and in prison. There are thousands
who sleep in unknown graves on land, and
in the waters on which they fought.
Though mixed with earth their persisted clay
Their names shall live while glory loves 10 tell
True to their country, how they won the day.
How firm the heroes stood how calm they fell. 81
On the returning of Memorial day each
30th of May the surviving comrades cast
aside their usual pursuits and strew with
| uONtIS lut graves VI lltlI ldlltu COluTdueS
Ehey invite the public schools to join them
in this loyal and patriotic duty. Today
there are new towns and cities that were
unknown during the great conflict fol
American union. There, too stands the
public schoolhouse. Among the pioneers
of our great West will be found the loyal
soldier, and in the silent churchyard will
be found the little green mound where
sleeps some honored soldier hero, whose
grave will be strewn with flowers and over
which will float small American flag. The
old soldiers are fast passing down the
broad avenue of life. Soon they will have
all passed from the united land they help
ed to save. Then the veteran soldier
work, to teach loyalty to the young OF
America, will cease. Then this sacred du
ty will be yours to perform God forbid
that you shall stand quietly and contented
ly by and see the flag go down, or the gov
eminent, by and for the people, perish
from off the earth.
PRIVATE |.