Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-06-02
THE NATIONAL SPIRIT
Scholarly Memorial Day Address
by Rev. {. }. Lewis
Annual Observance Marked Semi-Cen-
tennlal Of Outbreak OF civil War-De-
tails Of Interesting Program.

Annual Observance Marked Semi-cen-
tennlal Of Outbreak Of Civil War-De-
tails OF Interesting Program.
A special significance attached to the
observance of Memorial day Tuesday, as
1t was the semi-centeninal of the out
break of the great struggle which saved
the unity of this nation at a tremendous
sacrifice of life and property. While no
special reference to the anniversary was
made in the observance here in Brattle-
boro, the enthusiasm and the emotions
of so years ago came wildly to the men
who then were leaving their pursuits to
take the risks of combat and those VINO
saw them go. About so Grand Army
men participated in the exercises in the
Auditorium, but a smaller number
marched to the national burying ground
in Prospect Hill cemetery, and their adj
vancing age and decimated ranks were
noticeable. The day dawned with over
hanging clouds, but before the hour for
the public meeting arrived ideal con-
ditions prevailed, and a good-sized audi
ence assembled to listen to the excellent
program, which included an admirable
and scholarly address by Rev. r. j.
Lewis of West Brattleboro. Delegations
went in the morning to the West Brat
tleboro and Meeting House Hill ceme-
teries and performed the usual service
of decoration.
The veterans assembled in Grand
Army hall soon after 1 o'clock and
shortly before > o'clock marched to the
Auditorium. accompanied by the First
Regiment band and other organizations,
and occupied seats in the entire, the
members of the Woman's Relief corps
sitting on the south side. In front of
the stage, extending from one side to
the other, was a high bank of flowers
and wreaths, in the centre of which was
a large floral pillow, while above the
pillow was a representation of the G. A.
r. badge wrought in flowers.
Commander NJ. l.. Bruce was officer OF
the day and had charge of the pro-
gram. \ selection by the band was the
first number, after which Edwin H. Mil
Ter of Dummerston sang Roll CALI by
Pinsuti, Sewall Morse playing cornet ant
Fred c.. Leitsinger the piano for an ac-
compartment. Rev. DR.. John r. Cow
of the First Baptist church offered pray.
er and Mr.. Miller sang Sleeping Hero
to the music of a hymn by Mendelssohn
The speaker of the afternoon was Rev
i. j. Lewis of the Congregational churcl
of West BrattlebOro. who spoke entirely
without notes. His theme was 9TH,
spirit of the American nation Nations
like trees" he said, "have their char
acteristics. Carried over the wind-swep
Pllln the SEED mas cOllGPllal SOIL, alt
the seeding becomes fixed in its en-
vironment. Man goes abroad over un
trodden paths and establishes a dwell
ing place of roof, solace and love. II
shaping the necessary conditions o
progress. Goethe tells us that ever,
highly gifted nation has at times beef
compelled to abandon the sublim,
weapon of reason for the brutal weapoi
of war" He then traced the evolution
of the American republic. I'm it," h
said, there is spirit. Consequently n
section of the body polite can refus
concurrence for the common veal o
thwart any local adjustment necessar
y to the general good, for the essentia
feature of the American democracy
not local, but universal; and of it it ca
be said that each part must work con
Jointly to the support of every othe
membe
we are not the first people to inhabi
this hemisphere, but we may he the las
if we are true to that divinity in us
which is the life of the American ma
ton, seen to continually move onwarC
into a singular leading of nations; anC
for this leadership we must expect t
continue the payment of heavy premi.
ums through assimilation, absorption anC
adoption, drawing, as if by suction GU
of the vortex of the earth's peoples, thu
primal substance of society into vigor
Gus and enduring form until it shall b.
Salu OF TINS composite people Indl II
habi Of life is not merely successful re
sistance to oppression, and the valo
and strength to assert human rights
but also a conscientious seeking to de
velop fitness for the building of state
hood on sure and abiding foundations.
After mentioning some of the battle
which he designated as milestone
along the highway by which ~posterit
moves on to enjoy the blessings of
higher destiny" the speaker said: vet
Grams of the sixties, your presence scat
tered through the land is a precious in
spiration. You have lived to see tina
become a great military power on Ian
and sea, not from choice, but drive
thereto in vindlcation Of her rights. He
duty to the future is plain, as he
dangers are great, and these you sti
help us to see and to meet" Then h
outlined two of the perils that II
threateningly along the horizon in ou
time:
First-a tendency to minimize the Gil
cumstance of negro emancipation
"Slavery was no part of the original il
tention of this republic. Early men sa'
that it made farcial the Declaration {
Independence. 1t thrived because it wa
a paying investment. But its dividend
We're not of Gods money, so it failet
Is it for laughter that we hay
led the black race to drink at fountain
of learning? Was 1t for sport you mao
opportunity like a bow of hope to spa
his way? Has he been induced to 70
low his strong white brother into II
empire of freedom of thought and a,
ton. where men and women live e
gether, having no masters save God
heaven and their own wills. to find OF