The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1907-06-07

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common country. 1t seems to me
that the opportunity to common
crate the deeds of patriots should
also lead us to consecrate our
selves to the higher duties Of
patriotism. Better thoughts, high
er resolves, nobler impulses,
should stir the minds of all
should take deeper root in ou1
soul life. We owe honor to the
surviving soldiers for the service
rendered after they had laid aside
the uniform and donned the dress
of,citizens. We owe honor, too,
to the mothers, wives, sisters,
daughters. sweethearts. History
has well said the love of women
for the soldier was the crowning
glory of the war for the Union.
They are educators in the pr1n-
c1ples of patriotism the rising
generation for men are educated
by other means than catechisms
and schools. Every empty sleeve,
every Grand Army funeral, every
Memorial Day, is a drill-master
preparing the youth of our land
for a jealous defence of those
institutions for which you fought
and which you saved. The
heroes of Ell Caney, Santiago,
Manila Bay, and our boys who
are now Drawing the dangers of
the malaria1 swamps and pestif-
eEous Philippines were inspired
to duty by their patriotic mothers
and heroic fathers.
The work of Our soldiery in
Cuba and the Philippines was
reviewed rapidly, showing that
we are fit to put the countries
upon a sound and sanitary basis.
This state gave $4,000 native
Vermonters to the Civil War,
more proportionately than any
other state. Vermonters exCe1led
as marchers, it is believed that
the wonderful march of the Yer
monterS from Manchester to Get
tysburg to take part in the fight,
saved the day. The fighting
qualities of the Vermonters were
of highest order. Their record,
familiar to most loyal Vermont
ers, was given with telling effect.
Col. L. A. Grant in his report
says concerning the fighting of
the Vermonters sits equal cannot
be found in the history of any
war" That this confidence was
not misplaced is plain when we
remember that in proportion to
population more SONS of Vermont |
fell in battle and more gave their
lives to the Union than were
given by any other state.
When the country needed a man
to destroy the power of Spain in
AsiatiC water. A Vermonter,
George Dewey, was ordered to
to do that job. Onward |
flashes another message across
The continent. A Vermonter,
named Clark, jumps to his seat,
grabs the lines and away goes
ne acre-horse Oregon round the
Cape, UP the coast, tearing her
way, all ready for business, and,
BY the way, at Santiago she did a
good share of the business.
But, we are in the presence of |
other forms today, the forms of
our heroic dead. Kind nature, by
he gentle fluctuations of revolv-
NC world, is rocking them in
he last sleep. We have laid
hem away, and she has tucked
Ter green mantle about them, as
| loving mother tucks the snowy
heets about the little ones. But
heir spirits are lending inspira-
ION to this occasion. We can
lever forget them. They are a
'art of the glory and history of
ur country. Let the sublime
nd awful melodies of their lives I
ound in the grand chorus of
Luman progress. I
Soldiers of the Republic: God '
less you. When We are 1ul1ed
0 repose by the tatto of death,
hope ye will waken by the t
eveille of angels.