Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-09-14
Congressman Aasklns's Address.
Mr.. President, Comrades of the War

Mr.. President Comrades of the War of
the Rebellion, Ladies' and Gentlemen:
Places which at some period OF de-
parted time were of historic interest to
the generation of men and women then
living. although marked as they may
have been, by lofty and imposing SYM
bols, yet unless bearing upon their face
some enduring record to perpetuate the
events that called them into being, in
process of time become wholly lost TO
memory.
The great pyramids cover the dust Of
once mighty potentates whose very names
were long since forgotten. The solemn
Sphynx still looks out over the vast plains
of Egypt but why IL was reared or
what it commentaries none can tell. 1t
is written of Moses-Gods chosen law
giver-that no man knoweth of his sep
ulchre; and seven different cities of
Greece claim the honor Of having been
the birthplace of the immortal Homer.
Today through the efforts and liberality
of patriotic men and women we dedicat e
a monument TO perpetuate the remem-
brance that from 1861 to 1865 the green
sod of this broad plain resounded to the
tramp of feet of more than fifteen thou
sand of the young men of our Green
Mountain state, who with uplifted hand
were here sworn in for freedom for their
country and for God: and also it is rear
ed here to commemorate the lives. the
brave deeds and the sacrifices of
brave men as ever faced danger upon
the battlefield. The true significance of
the memorial we here dedicate shall
never be forgotten. This silent granite
boulder utters no sound. il tells no tale.
but the imperishable bronze imbedded in
it's sides. though mute of lip, speaks elo-
quent lessons in patriotism and love Of
country, so simple that prattling child
hood may interpret them; so profound
as to engage the mature thought OF man
hood. This unpretentious monument will
go down to other ages not dumb like the
huge pyramids or the Sphynx, conveying
no message mighty Interrogation mark
after an infinite pause. Its meaning will
be more plain and eloquent than the lam
guage of oratory 1t will for all time be
invested with that II was designed to
commemorative place. and the glory
OF the deeds of the men who were mem
bers of the several organizations written
upon the bronZed scroll. Here, in the
long years before us. will come the spirit
of the then mighty present kneeling at
the shrine of the heroic past TO breathe
upon its sacred embers. Then rising sa-
lutte the future as she comes clad in the
bright rays of morning and enjoins upon
her the fidelity OF the vesta goddess in
watching the patriotic flame that 1t may
not go out; but
THAT downward as from son TO son it
goes
By shifting bosoms more intensely glow
Then let us dedicate this monument not
| only to commemorate this historic To-
| cality and the brave men who gave up all
for their county's veal, but as an in
| stallment on that debt of gratitude that
| a hundred grateful generations cannot
fully pay. Dedicate 1t with all its wealth
of meaning to the soldiers whose graves
we yearly decorate with the sweetest
! flowers of the maiden month OF May.
| Dedicate II to the living as a sacred adj
monition to maintain the republic that
has cost the whole world so much. Ded-
| icate II TO the countless multitudes who
| are crowding toward us, but whose feet
| have not yet touched the shores of time.
Dedicate it as a sponsor for human rights
| and a protest against human wrongs in
every nation and in every cline. An
hundred years, yea many hundred years
will pass away and other assemblages
| may gather here; among them, possibly.
! will be our descendants but so far re-
moved that we viii be hardly remember
| ed. But that assemblage standing where
we stand today may commune with us,
though long since passed away, through
| this patient sentinel, and be made to
| feel the thrill and catch the heart beat
| of all those present on this occasion.
We consecrate and leave this faithful
! sentry to enter upon it's ceaseless vigil
Through summers heat and winters
snow, while youth takes on the wrinkles
| of old age, II shall stand here as a sug-
gestive emblem of our constancy to the
| Union of all the states, and to the old
flag. One by one the veteran soldiers
now living will be relieved from duty
and pass on to the silent camping ground
where sleep those other comrades who
have gone before, while this monument
shall remain unmoyed and unaffected.
Forever may it stand to watch the far
eastern horizon for the rising of the sun