Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1916-06-02
MEMORIAL EXERCISES.
w. p. Russell Post Honors De-
parted omrades.

memory of the soldiers of '6l to '65 b.
large attendance at the impressiv,
exercises conducted by W, p, Russo
post of the G, A. r, in the town hal
Tuesday afternoon. Despite the in
element weather sixteen veteran
marched behind the Middlebury banC
from Logan park to the place Of meet
ing, where large audience had assem-
bled. Philip +. Crane of the Citizens
committee presided, and the opening
prayer was made by Rev. Roy E. Whit
temore.
An excellent patriotic program was
rendered by pupils of the public schools
the music being under the direction Of
Mrs. Charlotte l.. Shackett. The ad
dress was by President John M, Thomas
who spoke first on the magnitude of the
civil war and its fearful cost in blooc
and treasure. He described the sacri'
fees made by Vermont, which furnished
eighteen regiments and over "a, 900 men.
Better than one out of ten of the
population of the State enlisted; over
5000 were killed in action or died of
wounds or in prison. He referred briefly
to the record of the First Vermont Br-
gade and the First Cavalry, and the
part played by General Stannard at
Gettysburg.
Middlebury, he said, furnished As men
to the First Vermont in response to
Lincoln's first call, Company was re-
cruited entirely from Addison county.
Three of those men are here today. The
color sergeant of Company | was col
lege student, Henry W. Bennett, the
first from Middlebury College to give
his life for his country.
Of the famous First Cavalry, Com
pany X was raised in this county. They
We're mounted on Addison county Nor.
gans. Dr. Thomas suggested that a
complete list Of men enlisted from Mid
dlebury should be compiled, with the
name and military record Of each man.
This should be published as a pamphlet.
1t would be document Of great interest
and value.
In the second part Of his address
President Thomas said that Memorial
Day is call to patriotism and to
thought on present national questions.
We are entering upon a new era in
American history. Up to now we have
been taking possession of our territory,
occupying and settling the country. We
have grown great and rich from the
treasures Of virgin continent. Now
the lands are occupied and our problem
is to hold our own in a crowded world.
Foreign relations, which have scarcely
bothered us, are to be hereafter our
chief concern. Nations whose doctrine
is that the earth belongs to the strong
will look enviously toward our broad,
rich acres. Seeking a place in the sun,
they will demand our place unless we
are strong enough to hold our own. To
the west, China is in danger of being
swallowed up, and it may take more
than words to preserve the open door in
that vast empire, the last unopened
market to the commerce of the world.
Our country is feeling this new situa-
ton, and is hurrying into military pre-
oaredness. DR.. Thomas said he believed
n this, but felt also the nee, of indus
trial and educational preparedness. Our
avs have often stifed industry. Rail-
road construction is at a standstill be-
cause of oppressive laws. Addison
county agriculture is away behind that
IF Germany. There is more waste land
and land half titled in our county than
in all France. Our education is super
fetal, and our pupils do not have proper
respect for authority. But, above all,
we need moral preparation, the right
spirit and temper in the people. We
are altogether too calm and Indifferent
while our citizens are being murdered
on the seas and told to come out of
Mexico. That was not the spirit of the
boys of 81 to '65. They believed the
American flag should be the protection
of the American citizen, wherever he
went on legitimate business. They
fought for its honor, and loved it as the
flag of brave, free people. We need
more of their spirit, that our nation
may again be held in respect among the
nations of the earth.
After the exercises in the hall the
audience adjourned to the monument,
where Prof. John A. Morgan delivered
an excellent address. AS a man of
Southern birth and training, he was
heard with close attention as he spoke
of our united country and the present
calls to patriotism.
After the exercises the ladies of the
e. A. R. Circle served supper to the
members of the Post and their guests
in the G. A. R. hall.