The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-06-05

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Has il ever occurred to you that we have
witnessed a struggle fiercer and more san
culinary than either of the conflicts named!
The number OF lives lost in the revolution
airy war was but q 500. On the plains Of
Gettysburg alone more lives were sacrificed
than the death-list of the war for American
independence aggregates. In the entire
history OF this country, from its discovery
in 1892 down to the date Of the firing on
Fort Sumpter, there has not been such a
loss of life 10 war as that sustained in the
battle of the Wilderness, in that ever re-
GREETED and never-to be-forgOtten struggle,
where men turned on the flag they loved,
and which, thank God, they love again.
| We meet here to-day in a spirit of true
charity, with love to all, whether they
wore the gray or the blue.
We have read of the fearful carnage on
the famous battle field of Austrelitz and We
have wondered how men could live through
such scenes. In that famous battle the
loss OF life was fifteen per cent. of those en-
gagged; in the battle of Waterloo, it was
les than twelve per cent; in the German
France war, nine per cent, while the loss
in the battle of Gettysburg was thirty per
cent. on each side. This shows the char
acier, the bravery and the gallantry of the
men engaged on each side. To you who
wore the gray l want to appeal that you
will stand and battle with us side by side
an handing down the grand old flag without
star obliterated.
While We feel national pride in Robert
T.. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and Johns.
ton, We turn with the same feeling and
point to Thomas, Sherman, Grant.
Referring to the organization of the Grand
Army of the Republic. the speaker said
there was no such thing as hated known
in the ranks of that organization. The man
who by any means attempts to keep our
people divided upon the issues of the late
war is not recognized or coun-
leuanced by the organization such
a man is invincible In peace but invisible
in war.
The objects ard purposes OF the organi1a-
ton are iraternal charity and loyalty TO
reunite those who, in the dark days, stood
shoulder to shoulder battling for our ma
tional existence ; to- disseminate the princi-
piles of lOyalty to instiil into the minds of
our youth the principle that loyalty is
virtue and treason crime.
The organization is not political in its
nature. We question no man about his re-
ligiOn or his politics. We take comrade
by the hand and endeavOr to aid him as
his necessities deserve. IT is a shame that
any soldier should become an inmate of
an almshOuse, and to prevent this is one Of
the prime objects of this association.
vi the great army who went forth to do
battle for our country, the greater
number are On the other side, and We come
to-day to strew flowers over their graves
No longer is the clanking of the chain
of the slave heard in this country. We
have made personal liberty, freedom of
speech and freedom OF the press common
sura;e with and inseparable from this ma
ton. This is sacred ground, dedicated to
freedom. This Is the asylum OF the OPP
pressed. No matter wha. may have been
a mans previous condition, through the
genius of American liberty he is Olsen
thralled.
The eloquent speaker closed his remarks |
with an appropriate quotation from Long |
fellow, and took his seat amidst enthusiasts.
tic applause.
A FLORAL OFFERING.
At the conclusion of Major Warmers re-
marks, Mr. E. j. Smith read letter from
Capt. S.W. Smith, mayor OF Warsaw, which
had been accompanied by some beautiful
floral offerings from the residents of that
city. A large floral cross was particularly
and was very generally admired.
COLONEL T. H. CLOUD
was then introduced, and spoke briefly as
follows:
II seems eminently proper that those who |
carried the American flag into the halls of
The Montezumas should be present to-day |
10 assist in decorating the graves Of the
gallant dead of the recent civil war. We
see present to-day a large number of |
ladies and children, and their pres
ence and the interest manifested
by them in these ceremonies can only be
Indicative of the fact that all of the people
Of this country are becoming imbued with
The principles of loyalty.
1t is fitting that those who, by the grace
Of God, were permitted to return from the
bloody conflict, should annually remember
their dead comrades and strew flowers upon
heir graves. Ihope the day never will
come when this beautiful ceremony will be
abandoned.
The loyalty of America is above the
price of riches. 1t may be sacrifice for
some OF us to engage in this work Of love.
Perhaps it may be painful sacrifice, and
sadness may fill our hearts, but let the
lime never come when Memorial day
will be forgotten.
At the conclusion of Col. Clouds re-
marks, q vote of thanks was rendered to
he Methodist church for the use of the
A rising vote of thanks was rendered to
he ladies for their co-operation and valua-
Die assistance, and Department Command
n Warner was the recipient of hearty
hanks for his able address.
The floral offerings at the church were
7ery profuse, and were tastefully arranged
n front of the pulpit.
AT THE CEMETERY.
Messrs Smith, Farnham, Fraker, Har-
er and Abbott were designated as . detail
o see that the graves were properly decor
lted. A wagon tastefully decorated for the