Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-06-01
Grand Army Republic.


generally, denominated by the Grand
Army. camp fire. They had table;
set wi tn tin plates, tin cups, pewter
spoons etc. The rations consisted oil
pork and beans, hard tack and coffee.
The caudlesticks were pieces of board
with nails to hold the tallow candles.
Every arrangement was made that
could be to remind the old veterans OF
camp life, and scenes Of other days.
relating anecdotes, swapping lies, and
singing songs, seemed to be the order
of the evening, and was enjoyed huge
ly. On the morning of the Both at
o'clock the Post were joined by other
soldiers, numbering in all about sixty,
assembled for memorial service. The
school children had gathered flowers
in profusion, and with the assistance
and advice of the ladies, the little
hands arranged them into wreaths and
bo4uets of exquisite beauty.
The teachers and scholars Of the
Centralia school turned out in full
force and are entitled to great credit,
as also some of the teachers and
many Of the children of the Grand
Rapids school, and forming in process.
ion marched with the soldiers to the
cemetery where the solemn service of
saluting the dead, and bedecking
their graves with flowers, was perform
ed by willing hands and grateful hearts.
Great credit is alike due to the teach
ers and scholars for their good march
ing and fine appearance. After the
services at the grave the procession
was marched to the Congregational
church where crowded house listened
to public memorial services and short
speeches from Hon. Chas. NJ. Webb
and Hon. Geo. R. Gardner. Mr..
Gardner reviewed briefly some of the
features of the Rebellion, the class of
men recruited from the north. Their
natural return TO business life leaving
the country without a standing army,
but with millions of freemen, ready
whenever occasion required to shoulder
their gun and march to the front,
demonstrating to the world that a
nation Of free schools and free people
is a power of strength, that intelligence
freedom, and duration are synonymous
terms.
The following speech was delivered
by Hon. Chas. NJ. Webb, in his usual
eloquent and forcible style:
The custom of observing this day
May 30th-in each year, as one upon
which to hold memorial service in
honor of those who served their count
ry in the War of the Rebellion, and
who. during the war, or since, have
passed away, has ripened into positive
law by deliberate Legislative enactment.
No custom, or law could more rightly
express the profound sentiments of
the people. Whatever of strife or
contention the questions of each pass
ing hour may engender, especially in
a Republic, he who has offered and
freely given his life to his country in
a struggle between it and its enemies,
has most richly earned the lasting
gratitude and affectionate remembrance
Of the people.
No obligation is greater than that
of the loyalty and devotion of the
citizen to the government which
affords him protection. Without it,
government itself is a shadow and a
sham; with it and upon it, all there is
of liberty and equality in the institu-
tons which civilized men have built
and cherish as essential in life of
freedom and progress, depends. When,
in 1S61-a number of years before the
problem of self-government, as sub
mitted to the world and embodied in
our political system, had reached its
hundreth birth-day-a gigantic rebell-
ion against such system was inaugu-
rated upon our own soil, few really
comprehended the stupendors magni-
tude of the issues presented. It was
rebellion deliberately planned, long
contemplated, ably matured. having
for its direct and immediate
purpose, the complete and final over
throw of the republican system resting
upon principles of civil and political
liberty, and the full and complete
extirpation of those principles from
the soil Of the continent. It was
strong with people long taught to
expect from it new government which
should occupy prouder position
among the nations; it was encouraged
by the Establishments. sometimes by
the active aid and support, Of the
emissaries Of the rotten dynasties of
Europe which have watched with
jealous hatred the progress Of free
institutions in our country, from the
very hour their foundations were laid