Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-06-02
HONOR TO THE OLD VETERANS.
Pre-MemoriaI Exercises by School,
Sermon by Rev. j. W. Chesbro.


The Memorial day exercises Of the
Randolph high and graded schools drew
an audience OF about 400 to Chandler
Music hall Friday afternoon in spite OF
the pouring rain. The program was one
of more than the usual excellence on such
occasions and was carried out By the chill
dren in a decidedly creditable manner.
The order follows:-
stRandolph school Song by high
school and grades seven, eight and nine.
Recitation, "Memorial Day,
Recitation, "The Vanishing Army"
Charles Dixon
song by the "Overal Boys,' Grade
A play. "a Welcome to Decoration Day"
Grade 2
song. "vesper Hymn Grades and s
Recitation, 1.-THE Blossom Army
Beatrice Paine
Recitation. "A Memorial Day Story,
Howard Holden
song. "Our Flag Grades 8 and
Recitation, decoration Day,
Alice Lamb
Recitation. General Sheridan"
Martin Scott
Song. = i ne i've 4ANNN"
Recitation, 1.-THE Gettysburg Address,
Cyril Angel
pooitation aveterans Old and Gray"
Clara Smith
Song, aHurrah For The Flag"
b. five girls
Recitation, "The Soldier Boy"
Clifford Dustin
Recitation, "scstter Flowers"
Bessie Stevens
Recitation, "All Honor is Due to Her"
Arthur Cheney
Song, "Old Glory
High school and Grades Z, and .
Recitation, "our Flag"
Marion Harrington
AT the close Of the program, Principal
r. q. Ham welcomed the old soldiers,
telling them that on account Of what they
did these exercises were held and from
the lessons OF their patriotism the emu
dren are taught the love Of country when
shall make them worthy OF the nation
saved by the men OF i8l-5.
Comrade H. G. Gilbert, who had been
drafted to speak for the veterans, was
then introduced and announced his will
Iingness TO do the best be could, not pro-
posing TO affect the coyness OF some
Young lady musicians, who have to be
leased to play or sing. He then compli-
mented the children on their speskin
and singing and said II the little fellows
forgot their racitations now and then,
thew could comfort themselves with the
thought that il any of the gray-heads
present should be sent upon the stage 20
speak piece, they probably Couldn't 40
half so we'll.
Mr.Gilbert was in the South before the
war and was there at the taking OF Feft
Sumter. He had an opportunity 70 see
how earnestly the Southern people re-
lieved in the justice OF their csnse, j -
certainly they thought they wsre right.
He felt be said, a good deal of sympathy
for the man who wore the gray lie
fought bravely on losing side; be cheer
fully led a forlorn hope, aRd after the
war be went back TO a disorganized coun-
try, a desolate home and to friends who
met him with tears. The Northern sol
der endured hardships enough and was
maid in money worth only 80 cents on q
dollar: but most of the Southern soldiers
had TO subsist ON rations of corn meal
and water, and were paid With money
worth nothing on the dollar. They lost
their negroes whom they regarded as
their property, exactly as the Northern
men regarded their horses and cattle, and
the Southern veteran had not only 70
taste the bitterness of poverty after the
last defeat, but he had to pass through
the humiliating days of the reconstrue-
ton period. Now the North and the
south are welded together again into one
nation, and, though there may stu DC
now and then an old fellow who has not
given up vet, the mass Of the Southern
men would fight for the flag at the drop
OF a hat.
Addressing the children directly, Mr..
Gilbert said he had come across gooo
many schools in his day in different parts
OF the country, and he had had good
many boys come to school TO hlm VINO
acted a. though they thought that II they
didn't learn their lessons they were cheat
ing the teacher out Of something, whereaa
they were simply cheating themselves.
There are men right here in this village
who are day Iaborers and will be all their
lives. because they had such brilliant sue
cess in cheating the teacher in their
school days.
The singing OF ''America" BY the entire
audience closed the program.