Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1916-06-02
PATRIOTIC EXERCISES.
Rev Nelson Kellogg Gives Address on
Value of Memorials and Capt z. w.
Gibson Speaks on Patriotism.

Gibson Speaks on Patriotism.
The annual pre- Memorial day exer-
cises were held in the high school room
Friday for the pupils of the high
school and the ninth grade at 10
clock. The room was decorated with
the national flag, and patriotic songs
wcro inter3pcrsed through the program.
Fifteen members of Sedgwick post
and as many members of the Woman's
Relief corps were present, the number
Of veterans present leading Principal
". b. Smith, IN his Introductory re-
marks, to say that he thought the rep
resentaton of veterans was the largest
percentage of the membership of the
pest that ever had attended exercises
since he had been principal of the
school.
/ After the singing of Star SQangled
Banner by the school under the direc
ton of Miss Lucy Proctor, supervisor
of music in the schools, Mr.. Smith wei
coined the veterans and spoke of the
Vermont statute which requires that
the last halliday session before Me-
mortal day in the public schools shall
be devoted to patriotic instruction. Fol
lowing another musical selection Rev.
Richard II. Clapp read scripture and of
fcrcd prayer.
Rev. Nelson Kellogg spoke priehy on
The Value of Memorials. He spoke of
Napoleon S tomb and the chapel there
which is filled with flags captured by
the French; of Washington s crumb-
ling tomb at Mount Vernon of the
marking of the graves of the veterans
and their decoration each year, as
things that bring from the past memo
RIGS that teach valuable lessons of pa
triotism. He urged loyalty to high
ideals, saying that those memorials
were for men who had had high ideals.
If this country is to stand for honor
and right and justice, for truth and
! righteousness, then these must be
placed above love of case and personal
desires. Whether this country contin-
J. ues to stand as in the past depends up
on the coming generation. So long as
3 the observance of Memorial day is con-
, tinued, indicating as it does a rever-
II cnt memoir of the high ideals of the
past, the country is continuing to main
tain its proper attitude, but this atti-
IL tude depends upon the individuals who
o compose the manhood and the woman
l. hood of the country.
al Capt f. w. Gibson of Company |,
S V. n. c., was the last speaker. Hc said
IS that it was remarkable that so many of
II the men who fought over 80 years ago
G. were able to attend the exercises. He
mentioned the names of Patrick Fen
lie ton and Commander May as among the
Id departed, saying that it merely illus
o. tratcd the fact that Protestant and
n Catholic, Irish and Yankees fought side
ut by side for a high principle-the equal
~ ity of men. They heard the call to
IN their duty as they saw it and they left
their homes to serve their country.
e. They were spurred to action because
f the duty was something they believed
v in. Their reward was in seeing a re-
'c united country.
II Liberty depends upon patriotism. It
l. means for a man to do for his country
what he thinks he should do without
IL regard to self. 1t means being good
D. citizens. The word patriotism has
II brought into the language new word
Il preparedness Today we are passing
N through a period of the greatest i'm
portance. One-half of the world is at
10 war, each side fighting for a principle.
is We arc trying to hold the scales of
Justice and yet are told by our Presi-
N dcnt that it is not possible to know
&c what day or even an hour will bring
% forth
He said that he had Just received a
Z communication from the regimental
. headquarters to obtain at once the
y names of men who would be available
u when it becomes necessary to recruit
;, the company to war strength. Pre-
i parcdness is not for war, but to pre-
vent i, and we should be prepared in
II our daily life by doing right
), The exercises closed with benedic-
tion nv Rev Mr. Clam.
- The pre-Mcmorial day exercises for
Grades five to nine were held Friday
= afternoon in the main room of the high
~ school building and were largely attended.
The program published previously in
7 The Phoenix was carried out Rev. K.
= II. Clapp in a brief address drew a word
o picture of young man living at home %
years ago who sometimes wondered why
there was the necessity for the early train
ing in education and the teaching of love
of country and duty to perform. There
came suddenly the call to arms and this
II young man, with thousands of others, with
d only hasty preparation, was in deadly con-
hict in the tremendous battle of Gettys-
burg. He then. as never before, realized
&C the value of education and training and
h the necessity for each person to give some
| thing in the interests of all mankind.