News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-08-26
Remarks by DR.. Geo. l.. Bates

In his remarks previous to the intro
duction of the speaker of the day, DR..
Bates said in part
The high object of these reunions is pa
triotism, through the object lesson of the
service of the men we so highly esteem
and hope to entertain today.
Patriotism it seems to me is the element
that sustains the political equilibrium of
the nation. 1t is the philosophical con-
science and the power of righteousness in
the father land 1t is in it's idealistic form
the cohesive element or factor in the pro-
duction of real civilization, that civiliza-
ton which stands for peace and not war,
righteousness and strength. not loyalty
to ruler alone, but loyalty and fidelity
for the creates good of the nation as a
whole, not blind faithfulness but loyalty
through wisdom.
Eight years ago Co. held its first re.
union and it was a meeting highly sue
cessfu and enthusiastic. Every year since
that time a reunion has been held, and
each time have been impressed by the
feeling of gratitude, satisfaction and bene'
fit l have personally received, coming
| from the insignificant roles l have been
privileged to act in the entertainment of
these men. who played such an active
part in one of the worlds most tragical
war productions, whose service is now
history, whose lives now consist largely
of memories, and in the passing leave an
inheritance in all its wealth and all it's
worth to us, of later generation.
There is one place in every journey,
there is one chapter in every book, one
picture in the gallery of every mans
memory, one song of all that has been
sung which influences us most of all with
delight, inspiration and satisfaction.
l suppose this is the element which Gre
ates fads and hobby horses so it has
been and is al the present time with me
delight and satisfaction to show my deep
interest by performing any service posi-
BILE for these men who wore the army
blue and stood in the battle front bear
ing the brunt of warfare with its terrors
and its pains.
Last year we erected a monument to
Co. D, by organizing this association
into permanent association. To them
this shaft, this pillar has been erected
complete in its detail and of such pro-
portions so that it reaches from earth
on which these men of valor and self sac
rifice performed this service, unto the
skies of the heavens above, where they
shall receive their medals of honor as a |
just reward, not in gold, not in rank pro-
motion, but in the "Thy good and faith
full servant"
This monument is not builded of stone, |
because stone might become defaced and |
crumble away; not of metal, because |
metal become furnished and corroded, |
but of the love and respect of their sons
and daughters and friends whose senti-
ments will live in the hearts of their chill
dren on and on from generation to gen.
Grafton. Long after you and l, my
friends, have gone onward Company u
will still hold its annual reunion and the
lives of the original members and their
exploits and works will be kept green in
the memories of the future generations
they are the founders and we the factors
in the perpetuation.
Company d, l toast youl May the
SHOWS of the winters of the years to come
fall lightly on your heads, ard the sun
shine of the summers be a continuous
blessing to you, and if daily existence be-
comes a continuous battle to you by
means of sickness and pain, remember
that without battle there could be no
Tictory, and the night with its rest and