Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-06-02

to the cemetery south of the village
where graves were decorated aud exercises
held. returning to the church at Easi
Randolph, which was crowded, the assem-
blage gave attention to the main exercises
of the Gay.
Post Commander j. e. Eldredge pre-.
sided. Prayer was offered BY Pew. Mr.
Davis, followed by recitations, dialogues
and songs by school children In charge oil
Miss Eaton. The address was deliver &c
by l.. B. Johnson.
The speaker, as representative OF the
generation that has come on the stage
since the civil war closed, tried to convey
the impressions OF this generation tc
those who had part in making the i'm
portant history connected with the war,
ne dwelt briefly on the conditions that
existed prior to the war and the causes
that led up to it, as we'll as the nature OF
the task OF fighting it to a successful is
sue. The fruits OF the war were a reunit-
ed country and the abolition OF slavery.
The South is thoroughly reconstructed
today. The only struggle between the
two sections is as to which shall carry the
old flag funniest. The "bloody shirt" has
spotless. The great future OF the country
Is assured.
We observe Memorial day this year un-
der different conditions than ever before.
rhe country is at war. We are at war be-
cause we could not sit by and see neigh
boring people slowly starved TO death by
the most cruel race on earth. Added TO
this was the loss OF the Maine and 266
lives. This Is a war of humanity and
justice-humanity because IL is for the re-
lief OF the Cubans; justice because we
remember the Maine" and will avenge
the foul deed by which it was destroyed.
When peace comes and our soldiers re-
turn home the Grand Army will receive a
reinforcement from their ranks so that il
will be made stronger than ever. There
will be members TO bedeck the grave of
the last surviving soldier OF the late Re-
bellion and read over 1t the burial service
OF the Grand Army OF the Republic.
There have been some who have feared
because so many OF our people were in
tent on acquiring wealth, seemingly for
getful OF ali else. The present crisis has
served to bring our true nature to the
surface. There is no stint of money to
fight this war. Shame on any American
who, in the perusal of his daily paper, ig-
nores the history making events and
greediiy devours the report OF the stock
market
And what is this vague thing called our
country thft we should feel sense OF
duty calling us to fight IN its behalf ?
Let George Washington, Nathan Hale and
wer who sacrificed all in her behalf, and
not last those noble souls who went to
death in rebel prison pens sooner than
forswear the stars and stripes.
What country does SO much for its cit
liens as ours ana demands so little in re-
turn +? Under 1t we are permitted peace,
prosperity, happy homes and higher ad-
vantages than the word ever knew be-
fore. In return it is our duty when dam
ger confronts it or its honor is assailed to
rally in its defence.
The principles underlying our govern
ment are right principles and the longer
they are tried the more perfect becomes
our social structure. True, 1t needed the
red hand of war to bring it to complete
symmetry. This has been done and we
now have rule OF action that will endure
all future tests.
The speaker closed with a patriotic
comment on the lines of the national
hymn, America"
Adjutant Fassett OF the post read Lin
coins address at Gettysburg.
Commander Eldredge reported that the
post had kept its numbers good during
the year, having sufIered only one loss by
death, Comrade e. +. Thresher.
The exercises closed with singing
"America."