Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-06-01

democracy from American life. The
true greatness of our country lies not
In the extent of her inexhaustble ma
tional resources nor her vast wealth.
but in the aspirations and ideals of the
people and the moral elements of ctl-
zcnship which make the morals of the
nation. Our best tribute is to fight
these battles of to-day as they fought
the battles of 81.
We know that in these days, when
we hear so much concerning prepared
ness, that we must be adequately pre-
pared to protect our liberties so dearly
purchased by your sacrifices and hard
labor, but what the world demands of
us to-day is that we defend not only
the rights of Americans, but the rights
of humanity. and it is only by so doing
that we can realize the highest pur-
pose of our democracy. The European
war to-day furnishes the most unusual
opportunity for us to prove the power
Of representative government, and to be
true to those who have gone before we
must prove that power, for, as Webster
said, IF in our case the representative
system ultimately fails, popular govern
ment must be pronounced impossible.
No combination of circumstances and
success more favorable to the expert
ment can ever be expected TO occur.
The last hopes of mankind, therefore,
rest with us; and If it should be pro-
claimed that our example had failed
here, the knell of popular government
would sound throughout the world" 1t
cannot ana must not fail for God has
given us the mission to demonstrate
that democratic government is the only
government for the world to-day.
| We must not lose our soul. Lincoln
meant men to be industrially as we'll as
physically free and we must give to every
man the opportunity God intended him to
have. We can never thoroughly achieve
freedom until we so live as to make pos
sble the development of everYoncs soul
and it is our mission to proclaim this to
the earth. The uneasiness of the other
nations of the earth provide us with an
unprecedented opportunity to show that
representative democracy stands for
the rights of humanity and if we can
thoroughly work out this scheme of de-
velopment we will have answered our
call
"Oh America. oh, America. stretched
! between the two great seas, in whose
heart flows the rich blood of many races,
! in whose mountain depths God has stow
ed riches of a fabulous amount, whose
plains have been made to blossom to feed
the hungry multtudos of earth: defended
by patriots may thy Master make thee
a blessing to the nations and may the red,
white and blue, as it is unfurlcd to the
mist watt to the other natiors the true
spirit of democracy as implanted in the
hearts of men,
The Rev. I. G. Smart pronounced the
benediction, after the audience. standing
had sung America"
BANQUET AND SPEECHES.
Following the exercises in the Y. NJ
G. A. hall the members of Stannard
Post and their guests adjourned to the
rooms downstairs whore a banquet was
rendered them ny the Woman's Auxiliary
of the Y. NJ G. A. At the after-dnnei
exercises. c. p. Cowlas, president OF the
Y. NJ. G. A., as POSTMASTER welcomed
the veterans, saying. I'VE cant honor
the G. A. r. too much" He mentioned
the fact that this was the 33rd annua
supper which had been given to tn,
members of Stannard Post. Commander
Boutwell, was introduced and spoke Of
the sadness of the day for the vet
Grams and read a poem on the passing
of the veteran. w. j. Van Patten, the
next speaker. said that the veteran:
should he thankful that they coult
serve their country. "Thank God" h
said that you did not have to nEh
as they are fighting in Europe to Gay
Past Commander George p. Martin tolC
Of what Memorial day means 10 thu
United States and spoke of the relativ,
values of Llncolns famous Gettysburs
speech and the speeches of other well
known orators of the day. Capt WI
liam II. Humphrey gave a stirring tall
concerning some of his adventures II
the war. telling how he had fought II
2ll battles and skirmishes. Gen. r. s
Peck thanked the Y. VI. G. \. for wha
it had done and introduced John liv
Peck said. had enlisted as n mere DO.
: of Is. Mr. Livingston thanked Stan
nard Post for what the members ha'
done during the day for him. In hi
closing remarks, Mr. Cowles thanke
: tho veterans and expressed the hop
that they might all DO the guests Of tn
: Y. NJ. G. A. next year.
The regular meeting of Stannard Pos
! will be held next Friday evening, whe
l certain resolutions will 10 passed an
the neurology list will be read.