The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-28
Made by Rev. J. B. Reardon
in Preparatory Memo
rial Exercises
ALSO JOIN PED CROSS
AND BUY ! VAR BOND
Dozen Vete is of the Civil
War F : cicipated in
t. : Services

men of the past were held at the Univer-
salist church in Barre yesterday when a
small company of veterans of the Civil
war under escort of Sons of Veterans,
Ladies of the G. A. r. and Auxiliary to
the Sons of Veterans, listened to stir
ring address by Rev. j. B. Reardon, pas
tor OF the church. Only dozen of the
members of r. B. Crandall post, No. 55,
marched in a broken column from their
hall in the city building to the church,
and they were followed by an equal num-
Der of L. A. Abbott camp, Sons of Vet
Grams, by IS members of Col. j. B. Meade
circle, Ladies of the G. A. R., and four
members OF the Auxiliary to the Sons of
Veterans.
The members of the four organizations
were given seats In the front Of the
church auditorium, while the remainder
of the seats were nearly filled by Others.
The pulpit platform and the choir loft
were decorated simply, with small Amer
lean flags and with clusters Of flowers
arranged artistieally. The pastors SER
mon was not only an appeal for rever-
enee on the part of all American people,
but it was also special plea for the
display of patriotism by joining the
American Red Cross organization, which
is having special membership campaign
in Vermont this week. and by buying
one or more Of the Liberty loan bonds
now being put out by the United States
government. The choir of the church
rendered very effective service with pa
triotic selections. George Mackay, bass,
sang the offertory SOLO
The text of Mr.. Reardon's sermon was
taken from the fourth chapter of Deu-
teronomy, ninth verse, as follows: 'Only
take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul
lest thou forget the things
which thine eyes have seen, and lest they
depart from thine heart all the days of
thine life; but teach them thy sons,
and thy sons sons" He said in part:
"The ceremony characteristic of Memo
-ial day Is very simple-graves are dec
,rated with flowers, the emblems Of beau
~ and affection. The interest in Me-
'ather appears to grow the more attrac-
i've, now that the bitter animosities en-
rendered by the struggle are forgotten.
is celebration at present overshadows
he celebration of the Fourth of July. 1t
eceives more public attention and at
racts to our villages and cities larger
lumber of people than the national an
liyersary. Perhaps it is because the war
which gave us independence and made us
nation is now so far away that, al
hough its leaders are remembered, the
ames of the heroes of the ranks are not
o well remembered; while the war which
ave us restored union and a firmer
nd stronger government is still so recent
hat the grave of nearly every brave
older who carried musket has the ten
er sorrow of a living heart for its monu-
lent. There is not a family here, per-
APPS, but has vacant chair by its fire.
lde.
"These graves which we make flower
eds on Memorial day are the graves of
rave men who died in defense of the
nion. Many of You knew these men
ersonally. Many of the wives, children
nd other relatives of these arisen ones
re here to-day. and TO complete the
citing, the battle SCARED comrades of
lr beloved dead are with us. Can we
onder that Memorial day should at
resent overshadow in its proportions
lie Fourth of July7
"The war of the rebellion is a stern
,ality in the minds of people living to-
Nv. Some people are inclined to speak
the war Of the rebellion lightly. Some
Id cynics sneer at all references to the
,roism of our soldiers. With some peo-
e there is nothing real but death and
.xes. Now the war of the rebellion was
reality. These veterans here to-day
now it. They responded to the call of
e sainted Abraham Lincoln. Veterans.
You not remember the day you were
He'd TO the front, that day of parting.
tears and of mothers good d-byeg
nd now, at the front, the roar of artil-
nv, the rattle of musketry, the moaning
the wounded, the ghastly faces of the
ad. the horrors of Libby and Anderson
lie. told YOU that war was a reality.
IN YOU wonder then that the survivors
these dead heroes should feel lively
terest in the observance of this day?
ahA n htAA ftf'H
lpsed since the independence of this
untry was declared. ! need not re-
arse the events of the Revolution. but
powerful nation has been established.
ie names of its founders and leaders
? familiar household words. There il
e name. however. that / believe will
pr be dear to the hearts of American
Dple, the name Of Lafayette. We owe
France an eternal debt Of gratitude
ID here we are to-day. recognizing and
"a wing that debt in kind by loaning
ndreds Of millions of dollars and send
I the flower Of our troops in her time
need and we shall continue to do this
til the world is made safe for democ-
"
In the Revolution the struggle was
de on the basis that all men are ere
d free and equal and in the rebellion
. brave soldiers took up arms TO deter
ne the Interpretation Of the very first
q in our constitution. All men are
y free and equal in this country. The
men. however. in most Of the states
still in bondage. J trust We shall not
u a war to make them free and equal
h the men. Intelligence should wielI
ballot and ] would not confer its