Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-06-02
Memorial Day Observance.

Memorial day exercises we're slightly
under the weather all day, as the SIX Ell
were dark and lowering, with an oc1a
sional weeping fit, so as to prevent hs
best attire and the most captivating nil
linerY from showing Respondent on hs
streets. The usual flags ana bunting
we're displayed. The parade was larger
/ than for some years, the ladies and school
young people taking part, accompanied
/ by the III and drum corps. Dinner was
served in the Town hall, by the ladies Of
the Congregational church, to a large
number OF people.
At ? O'Clock, in the G. A. r. hall, un.
der the presidency OF f. Il. Edgerton, the
afternoon program was carried out. II
music by the band; remarks by Mr.. Ed
gerton; Rotations by Helen Blodgett
and Maxwell Foskette; song by Misses
Holden and Parinenter.
Ex-Governor W. w. Stickney OF Lud-
low was then introduced. He gave a
short synopsis of Vermont history in its
early days, showing the sterling qualities
Of the early settlers. He then went on to
the days of the Revolution and added his
tribute to the memory OF Stark and the
battle OF Bennington and traced the hero
ism OF the men OF Vermont throughout
those stirring days. From thence to the
war OF '61-65 was a natural step and by
graphic utterance he brought before his
hearers the various scenes Of these event
ful years. Lincoln shone forth nobly
and well and the fact, so often clouded,
was clearly put forth into view that
emancipation was not in sight az the peo-
pie when the war began, nor for while
after, but grew out Of the spirit OF the
times and was the means OF nerving the
men Of the North TO heroic deeds and
endurance and OF perching victory as an
eagle on her banners. From Sumter to
Appomattox the war relied on. The
graves of the nameless dead who fell in
North Carolina and on the bank OF the
Potomac and elsew here, were touchingly
remembered, as we're the leaders and their
words that revealed the iron in
their blood, Grant, Sherman and others
and the rank and file, the "eommon sol
diers, F" were not forgotten in laudation,
nor left out OF the records Of fame, while
the heroines who let them go from their
homes, husbands, sons, brothers, and
kept smiling face until they passed
from sight and sound OF them we're not
forgotten. Vermont gave 80, 900 OF her
sons who were ever at the front.
The things that were accomplished hy
that struggle were. first, abolition OF
slavery; second, the l4th amendment 10
The Constitution. The question that
arises is, Will the government stand ?
The Spanish war was partial answer.
Obedience aud fidelity marked the war
md Vermont was not behind. Though
lwning not enc seaport, she was present
With Dewey in Manila Bay and by her
ions revealed her willingness 70 do and
iare; was with Clark Who sailed the
oregon and helped in his work OF destruc-
ion OF Cerverais fleet at Santiago barber. f
lie closed with an eloquent tribute to the +
Ieroes Of all the ages.
The procession formed to visit the /
lover cemetery aud decorate the graves /
i the veterans and was Of goodly length, /
Did Glory being very prominent all along
he line. The rain hung OF very con-
eniently and all got home dry and hap
-.