The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1872-06-06


nual oGering AZ spring nowes 4 s;e-
ni6cant Of the memory Of their deek,
still fresh ia our hearts. This nth
ering Of the people indicates an ap-
probation Of their work and their
worthiness. The encouragement Of
the children to bring flowers shows I
purpose that the rising generation
shall b taught 70 honor he nauaaa
and deeds d thoso whooe facGD ~
voices they cannot reu1bef. Decs
grafton day seems likely - astain =
the dignity Of : permanent institu-
tion. It swakens some Of the noblest
feelings Of the people, and provides
for their expression. If duly OBJ
served in the centuries to come it will
have an educating power not to be
despised.
Among those who gather here to-
day there are two classes: The
adults, whose interest ID the work of
this hour arises from their own par
ticipation in the experiences Of the
war; and the children whose inter-
est il . matter Of education.
The number who shared in lie
sufEerings and anxieties Of the war
win yearly be less and les. II the
memory of those who died in the
war of the rebellion, is to be honored
in time to come, it must be by those
who learn from us to appreciate their
patriotism and self-sacri6ce. The time
in which this lesson can be taught
will soon be passed. When / was .
boy At q Fourth Of July celebration
saw an old man, gray and tottering
with age, led upon the stage and con-
Quoted to the most hQnored seat be-
cause he was the only one in town
who had come down to US from the
times Of the war of the Revolution.
He alone of al the vast concourse
there assembled had heard the can
non fred at the battle Of Bunkcr's
Hill. The time may come, 60 years
hence, when, in Upton on Decoration
Day, some one of the men who stand
here now will be given the most hon.
orable seat because he remains the
only surviving companion in Cedar
County of the men whose names are
chiscled on this monument.
Every year the conduct of the ex-
ercises Of this memorial day viii de-
volve more and more on those who
had no part in the war, and are per-
sonally strangers to those who fell in
the strife. II then those who lived
through the war and participated in
it would secure secure continued hon.
ors to our fallen heroes, more must be
done than has yet been effected. II
is not enough to have erected this
monument and inscribed on it the
names of the fallen. II is not enough
to gather once a year with flowers for
their memory.
Two Things more must be done.
First, in the minds of our children
those names and this monument must
be associated with the experiences Of
the war so that on the annual return
Of this day it may awaken in their
minds the memories Of what they
have heard. In the days when trade
with India was preeminently = source
Of wealth, there was proverb, HE
that would bring back the Indies
must carry the Indies with him. 1t
was another way Of saying that great
capital is needed to carry on great
and successful business. On the same
principle the memorials of the great
conflict for the preservation Of the
union, among which are this monu-
ment and this day, will have power
to interest and affect the generations
to come Just in proportion as they
are acquainted with the history Of
those trying times we now remember.
You remember the political contest
that Immediately preceded the war.
A few words are enough to recall the
thrill of patriotic emotion that stirred
our hearts when the FIRST gun was fired
against Sumpter. What earnestnes.
was manifested in the faces of men!
The voices of our strong young men
trembled when from the midst of
their fellow citizens, they volunteered
to enlist for the maintenance Of the
Union. And those voices softened
when under the home roof they told
the same story to loved ones there.
The partings from home and friends,
who that knew can forget. Those
who remained at home, are reminded
of the long months and years in which
they were ever eager for tidings from
the front. We remember the crowds
that gathered round the bulletin
boards in the cities, the eagerness
with which the newspapers were
sought by all, the anxiety with which
letters from our soldier boys were
expected, the avidity with which they
were read. Then after every battle
were the long lists Of killed, wounded
and missing. Each one Of them some
body's son, or husband or brother
How fearfully at times did the roll Of
our lost ones increase. Month after
month, one and another who had gone
out strong and well, sickened and
died in camp or hospital, or fell on
the battlefield. And the Joy Of fnal
success was saddened by the memory
of those who had not survived "a
share in il. Cedar county was fully
represented in camp and battlefield
and those who here watched for
friends in the army will never forget
the experiences. of those days.
Some stand here to-day who have
other memories. This lettered shaft
recalls the day when shoulder te
shoulder with one and another whose
name appears there you made YOU
first march. You remember long
marches in dust and heat. There
were cold wet nights when you SLEPT
on the ground. The first battle with
its suspense and its excitement you
will never forget. Then the nigh
after the battle, its joyful reunions
its sad "reminiscences and slow ant
mournful roll call. Some had trial 0
hospital life and Of rebel prisons. Ant
now having passed through it oil
you come to do honor to the memory
Of those who went out with you, bur
were not seen when the boys in blue
came marching home again. How
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