The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1900-05-25
Memorial Address,
Delivered at Bradford, by Col. Porter H. Dale,
May 30, 1900.


AT time of profound peace when dwelt long the
lingering of warfare Memorial Day instituted
and flowers srewn above the of sodiera token
of appreciation, and teaching of heroism.
That and still is the specific purpose of this day. but
recent events have given broader and made of it
time for historical research and political instruction To
day review the past acknowledge again its sacred de-
go future with deeper
ton. In this larger the day has reached
UNIVERSAL and will continue lasting observance and
go centuries have rolled the grave
the last survivor of the Civil
But Veterans this is primarily your day. and shall
deavor not to lose this fact among the topics of later date
To whatever extent my mind occupied with other affairs
when speak to remnant of your armies, it shall be
chiefly in alteration of your deeds tell you
thing about Them but will try and sketch you views of
take reveran joy and hepulness from retrospecon
Anticipating this event. dwelt the formation of this
and sought the elements of its greatness and those
which must still cling if it lose of it's majestic power
having completed for the New Appellate Court of New York
City two statues of heroic proportions the one representing
seated in classic chair the face indicative of profound study
uncompromsng honesty, and intellectual inspiration =
his lies the great book of wisdom the latter also
seated massive sword lies his knees and his face is the
incarnation of martial intelligence and overwhelming power
The two statues intended to illustrate the truth that
law endure unless based wisdom and supported by
force; and embodied here found the elements sought
THE PRINCIPLE AS TAUGHT IN HISTORY.
All along history of this Republic they
potent factors force apparent and underestimate
dom invoked through the conflict of opinion till emerging
clear OF Gods stars. DO wonder today,
force percepb debating the wise pursue?
1t has been the from the beginning and when similar
contests have waged the to be adopted by
national councils great have always prevailed Great
wise, and wisdom leading force is nvincibe That
progress and has been where that Cvza
ton halts, and men can mark the wreck of empires
AT Marathon, the first great battle of the world behold
Athens struggling thus for self preservation led on gorl
victory AT Syracuse the second great battle Perces
the WISE being dead in INSCRIPTIONS schemes
and the Roman instead OF the Greek thereafter moulding
the Western world When Rome had grown great that
thought her state eternal and that pershng the world must
die she lost her wisdom for supremacy and smile to think
how long the world has lived since she has fallen Then
Rome but when Philip the Second the
holding M he IN the eaf and IN th Tss
her ceased and the Spanish decline commenced that
continues to this day.
The wiser than before by
quicker methods force is more effective now executed by
greater intelligence but the principle that makes the illus
traon of the statues true immortal and deveopes with the
strength of nations. In it's recognition has prospered
tive land and if mperled it is because think
have grown great that force alone can lead Force
unresrained tyrancal wisdom unrestraned is divine 1t
wisdom pleading with force when Columbus urged his
bous sailors stay by him day for he knew that
land was lying just force assailng wisdom
that bore the heroic scholar bound in rons back ignorant
Spain.
England intelligent and mighty she under George
the Third had not the wisdom to with the group of
pendence and framed that sublime constitution which the
peerless English called the most wonderful piece of
work struck off at given time by the mind and purpose
of man. When reflect upon the age in which they lived
the immediate and remote circumstances attending the
marvel the sagacity with which they executed those
documents and when consider that instance
denied when this ncipent Republic, without ally
their courage How could the weak have become efficient?
And seeking for reply hear the intrepid Washington tell
ing John Hancock, then President of the Congress- Ten
days will end to the existence of army Ah
Force thou avail him little he who led his armies
by faith in God must plead his wisdom now What he feared
and hoped and suffered and determined through the next few
days knoweh. But within week he crossed the
Delaware surprised the Hessians their reve1ry this
brilliant had the vital Weakness touched
by wisdom had become force.
THE PRINCIPLE CIVIL WAR.
Veterans there was an element of weakness in this our
that wisdom could touch annh1latean
heritage that had down through all the centuries of
empirical tyranny, and though visible here from the first yet
being inherent allowed to stay The principles
which founded the Republic broad and lib
era that the eradication of human slavery seemed the natural
result of their teaching the people endeavored to live by
through the coming years. So indeed, it Not
hoped gradually and by civil action of the separate
but rather by discussion dscod heroic struggles
pendtures of mental and physical uerngs and the
loss of precious lives all too well known you members of
Grand Army of the Republic The settlement of the
questions slavery and rights held
by the Great Ruler of Nations till the constitutional
that destined develop the grandes Re-
nOy TO had