Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-06-01
WITH FLAGS AND FLOWERS
GRAND ARMY VETERANS HONOR
MEMORY OF HEROIC DEAD.
Memorial Day Observed in Burling ton
For tho 32d Time, With Decoration
of Graves, Parade, Address and
Many Short Speeches.

MpInOl1dl Ody was ODSti NtNl III an dppI'-
pirate manner in this city Tuesday with
exercises under the direction Of Stannard
post, g. A. r., assisted by other military !
organizations. Nothing occurred to mar
the successful fulitlment of well-ar-
ranged programme. The clouds which
lowered menacingly n the sky during the
forenoon were driven aside by the after
noon sun and only an occasional raindr0p
fell after the early morning. The streets
were in excellent condition for the pas
sage of the parade. The observance Of
the day carried a new interest from the
events of thu late war and the memory
OF the country's latcc, shorter and decisive
struggle was mingled with the revcrent
thoughts of the honored dead Of the cnr-
| lier battles This thought seemed to add
a new interest to the proceedings, If such
| a thing were Heeded
The days programme opened with the
decoration Of the graves of the veterans,
which was done by details sent TO the diff
ferent cemeteries. The graves of tho two
men dead from tho Vermont regiment and
buried in this city were attended by de-
| tails from Company NJ. The principal OBJ
IserVance of the day as held in the after
lnuon.
| Shortly after o'clock tho Sherman band
lpasscd from their rooms UP College street
TO the aSmory of Company M and return
ed to the rooms of Starnard post on
Church street. where the column was
the older veterans. This column proceed
ed to the west side of the City Hall Park.
where the line of march was taken up un
der the direction of Marshal II. c. Smith
and his aids A. &. MansuT and "A. w.
Smith of the University. The column was
led by Troop f, Sd cavalry, from Fort
Ethan Allen, under command of Lieut. A.
T. Williams.
The detail of this troop was secured
Though personal solicitation from Maj.
Gen. Merritt, commanding the department
of the East, and added much to the inter-
est of the column. Next in order was
She,man's Military band and following
them the University battalion Champlain
Division No. ,, Uniformed Rank. Knights
OF Pythias in their handsome uniforms
followed and close behind them came
Company NJ First Vermont Volunteers
esCorting the members of Stannard post
G. A. K. The number Of veterans march
ing in the parade was unusually large,
there being G2 able to march and sevei al
in carriages. They were followed by May
or Robert Roberts, Orator w. j. BGelow.
President Buckham, members of the
Board of Aldermen and others in car
Ciases. The parade was strictly OF a mil
itary character and worthy of the most
favorable commeAt The different organi-
cations We're cheeccd as they passed along
. the route up Church street Winooski ave
. nue. and to the north gate of Elmwood
avenue cemetery and then reforming via
. Elmwood avenue. St. Paul and Bank
streets to the opera house.
The exercises at the cemetery were
, from the ritual of the G.. A. r. The vet
Grams drew up in hollow square. Com
pany NJ forming one side, and the services
was carried out, the band playing dirge
!, and two buElers from the Third Cavalry
sounding taps at its close. large num-
Der gathered to listen to the service and
, many watched the parade as 1t passed
through the streets.
The exercises at the opera house opened
with "A selection from the band, which
, was stationed in the gallery. The opera
house was well filled. Upon the stage
were Commander Williams, Mayor Rob-
: erts Orator W. j. Bigelow, Rev. c. l..
Hall Rev. George Y. Bliss, members of
the Board of Aldermen and others. The
exercises were opened with prayer, offer
ed by Rev. G. l.. Hail. and followed by a
well rendered solo THE Old Brigade" by
I Mrs. Ella l.. Hodges, Mrs c. ID. Van
, Stenberg playing the accompaniment
l Commander Williams then introduced
t Orator W. j. Bigelow, who delivered tho
following address:
MIR. BIGELOW'S ADDRESS.
: Mr. Chairman. Members of the G. A. r.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Another year has passed. A year which
has been crowded with achievement, bli,
when things accomplished are compared
with its unfinished tasks they seem triv.
al; year which has renewed our faith
in the virtue and vitality of American val
or, American principles, American destiny
nut which has caused many whose !altr
: in the past has been the strongest. whose
i courage in former perils has been un
e daunted to quake with fear and cry ou
= the most frightful warnings in their hope
n .essness and despair; "A year in which th'
u names of Grant, Hooker. Sheridan, Sher
Il h.N f,,,I 81,
l. spoken that we might tell of the deeds -
Roosevelt. Wheeler, Lee, Merritt and Otis
when the glory of a Farragut and othe
naval heroes is dimmed by the achieve
ments of a Dewey and remain unnoticeC
until we can determine the comparativ,
merits of a Sampson and Schley. But to
> day our great nation turns from its all alb
sorbng present to past no less interest
ing which also had its disturbing conflicts
=, to do honor to the men who seeing thei
nations peril laid down their lives tina
: its integrity and honor might be main
, tanned. Another generation on whom tn
responsibilities of government are fallin
meets with your constantly diminishiI,
. numbers as members of the Grand Arm
. of the Republic to receive again the in
, spiration and instruction which a coOtem
plation of your devotion and accomplish
ments always brings. To me, a youn
, man born since the battles of the civil wa
were fought, has been assigned the homo
of addressing you upon this occasion an
am glad to say that Notwithstanding I'll
|, uncertainty of the past year | can com
|, to you to-day as an optimist. l trust tina
my optimism is not based upon ignoranc
Z or disregard of our present peris for
know that We are facing dangerous possl
bilities. that present questions demand tn
= highest class of craftsmanship and I rca
lie something of the difficulty of obtain
I ing il. and that we are suffering from in
ternal weaknesses which render the as
sumption of foreign obligations now upo
. us more hazardous Nor do | assume thi
position from a sense Of duty although
> feel that il is due you and your dead com
rades that as you place upon their grave
: the flag and strew there natures mos
beautiful floral tribute | should bring I
3 you some fitting assurance that you
> battles were not fought in vain, tina
your remaining days shall not be cloude
= by gloom, but frightened by a faith /
your sons and your sons SONS, My OF
1 timism rather is based upon the streHgt
= of our natural conditions and the exter
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