Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-06-03

New issues were indeed raised but il was
the same old struggle of right against wrong,
! of freedom against oppression.
1t was not alone nation striving for its
independence, il was the desperate effort Of
humanity 10 emancipats itself fromthe thrall-
dom ofbruial ignorance and tyranny.
The emancipation of 100000 slaves, the
vindication Of the authority OF the govern
ment, the triumphant exercise Of sovereign
authority by the people are benefits conferred
upon no nation alone, bat upon the whole
family OF nations. And in no nation
would these Achievements be 80 bene-
fetal as in this country which from her
position, resources and influence IT is capa-
BILE of rendering not only happy and pros.
porous its own citizens, but Of diffusing by
example and influence the spirit of universal
liberty through the world.
The soldiers OF the Republic not like the
! Spartan or Athenian, "die in obedience to
their country's laws.n Theirs was grander
incentive-they died in upholding her laws
Brighter, far brighter will shine the star
of our country's hope and destiny when we
shall catch the inspiration that developed their
noble lives and enter into the pure fruition
of their hopes and aspirations. And, now,
on this memorial day, on which we have
met TO lay our choicest offerings on the twin
affairs of memory and hope, standing on the
narrow isthmus between the oceans OF the
past and future, with our hearts subdued,
yet filled with gratitude, let me admonish
you, In the name of our country's 100000
dead, to carry forward the good works that
your fathers and brothers have so nobly
| commenced.
! Let us be ever jealous in wha tever makes
| the nation stronger and purer.
| Let US remember that in order for a repub-
lie to surviyesits rulers must be intelligent,
honest and d = ght.
| That the way to have an upright and pure
| government is to be honest and virtuous our
selves. Blackstone, speaking the sentiment
| Of his age, says, that "distinctions of ranks
| and honors are necessary in every well
regulated state" that ga system of nobility
creates and preserves Tat gradual scale OF
dignity which proceeds from the peasant to
| the prince.o
BY century of progress, by the grandest
revolution and most wicked Rebellion In the
annals of history, by million orphans and
half million crippled soldiers, by the blood
of 100000 slain, we have proved Blackstone
no prophet, or villifer OF his race.
| Here is Nation 10 which there are no
ranks or honors save those willing heart
spontaneously bestows on intelligence, moral
worth and vistue.
| If I'VE are true to ourselves, true 10 those
principles embodied in the Declare on OF
Independence, recognizing the fact that all
men are equal before the law, remembering
that the eye of Him who heeds the spar.
rows fall ever watches over the Nation as
the individual, then these ceremonies are
not meaningless, then these soldiers have
not died in vain.
Let US preserve this government, its con.
stitution, with all Its sacred principles, as it
came from the hands of its trainers whom
God taught to labor for humanity and TO
live for this glory.
"Preserve thy life" is higher law than
human governments; il was given to man
anterior to the birth of nations.
| It is the duty of this Nation, intrusted as
il is with the noblest and grandest mission
ever committed to any political society, to
preserve its life,
| There is path, luminous with duty, for
us all, and by that light should our feet be
guided; il is to guide our steps by the JUS
tice Of God and the rights of man; il is to
so live that when we are gone the world will
be our debtor il is what John Bright de-
clares to be the simple but sublime princi-
Piles upon which great National questions
should ever be settei-the basis of eternal
right.
Then let US to-day devote and consecrat
ourselves anew TO the support and maintain
ance of those principles, to establish which
our countrymen gave their lives.
With hearts filled with gratitude to the
| great Giver of "every good and perfect gift''
for the privilege that we as Nation enjoy
to-day, let us pledge ourselves on the altar
of our country.
Let US form an irrevocable covenant with
OURSELVES to preserve untarnished the price,
less boon that has been bequea thed to us ;
to see that the laws of our whole country
are upheld; to see that every individual,
though poor he be, wearing the stamp OF
our common humanity, is secure in all his
rights that this government, with 100000.
600 of freemen, "without a slave and without
a MASTER" shall be just and generous, and
shall realize by the silent majesty Of its
benefcent laws the object for which gov
| ernments were instituted among men. Let
this be done and the dream of its ilustrious
founders will be realized. Let this be done
and every home in Grant county has not
been made desolate in vain. Let this be
done and a nations tears will be dried
Then we will look upon these slowed AID
lost" as blessed martyrs who have gone be-
fore to that blessed country where sorrow is
unknown, and their memory will grow
| greener with each returning year.
! Finally, in the words of the lamented
Lincoln, inscribed on this monument, "We
here highly resolve that these honored dead
shall not have died in vain that this nation
under God shall have new birth of free.
dom that the government of the people, by
the people and for the people shall not per.
ish from the earth.n
Music by the band, "Hail Colum-
bia," then followed. Mr.. Bushnell
by special request then read the
following poem selected by Mrs.
Mary A. Hyde:
Why do we celebrate,-what of the day
| Strewing sweet flowers In brilliant arrayf
Would we bow here to escatcheon or crown.
| OF some titled lord, or some king ofrenown,
| Do we scat ter these flowers by monument old,
| or him who the rights of his people had soldi
Shall we fawn in the dust, not daring to rise,
Through fear Of a ruler whose name we despiset
No, no and thrico no is the answer we give
| IT'S not that the name Of tyrant may live.
| We woul d not DO honor 10 despotic lord,
To whose mans our affec tiens we cannot accord.
But nobler by far our mo tives to-day,
While mingling tears with the blossoms of May
| And the sweet flowers laid where the soldiers now
rest,
| By thrice willing fingers, and friendships behest.
| Are strewn by their comrades, who through war;
| alarms.
Fought for the same cause, their companions In
| arms.
! And here fond mother weeps over her son,
| Who stood like hero against sabre and gun,
Who yielded his life there the old flag to save,
An aimed the proud title, true soldiers grave.
| And here q fair maiden Is weeping to-day.
| W no rejoiced when viewing the banners so gay,
Whose youth knew no fear Of the gathering storm,
And smiled to see Pa in his brigh uniform.
| brother leans over this m,r BILE aud signs,
As he thinks of tn pa asst, while his memory flies
To the battles dread front, where cashng of steel.
And cannons loud roar the stoutest to reel.
Twas there neat our banner they fought side By
side,
And for that dear emb lem that loved brother died.
By the grave of youth ma bowed with years.
Stands reading the name. and his heart melts to
tears,
He thinks Of the lad IS his pride and his joy,
When he ms rched with the f.g bright drummer
boy.
Let all join to hon the lost noble dead.
Who often for freedom and country have bled.
While those who fought BY them and friends who
hold dear
The names Of the dead in remembrance here
strew sweet flowers softly on each soldiers grave
Who died the old flag and our country 70 save.
The band then played Red,
White and Blue" after which the