Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-06-06
THE FALLEN HEROES.
The Observance of Decoration Day
In Mineral Point.

and continued so throughout the
day. George II. Legate Post proved
very efficient organizer. The com
mittee of arrangements appointed
by the Post faithfully performed
the parts assigned to it, as did also
all the members, and all others who
took part in the exercises. AT 10
o'clock a. m, the graves of dead
soldiers who were buried in the
several cemeteries of the city were
decorated by the floral committee,
accompanied by members Of the
Post.
Capt. S. E. Shepard was chief
marshal of the day, and with assist
ants formed the procession, at about
80 o'clock, in front of the city hall,
in the order given in the published
programme. Nearly all residents Of
Mineral Point together with many
from the surrounding country joined
in the procession, which led by the
band, marched to Ross grove,
where the commemorative services
were held. Here stand was con-
structed, and seats provided for the
audience. Six large memorial crosses
were erected in front of the stand,
which gave solemnity to the scene,
and seemed to speak of the sacred
mission for which the company
had assembled. The band first
played a dirge, followed by appro-
pirate vocal music by a selected
choir, The opening prayer, which
breathed the spirit of true religion
and true patriotism, was feelingly
offered by Rev. C. Dawson. Next
came the calling of the roll Of the
dead by Adjutant J. H. Tyack, re-
sponded to by Comrade G. G.
Cox. AS the name of dead soldier
was called and the response made
by announcing the place, cause and
date of his death, a child came for
ward bearing memorial wreath
which was taken by comrades of
the Post and placed upon the crosses
erected for that purpose. This was
the most impressive portion of the
services, and the scene presented
can not be fifty described in words.
A poem entitled "The Nation S
Dead" was then read by Surgeon
J. II. Vivian, after which a salute
to the dead was fired by the Post.
The address was delivered by Rev.
NJ. Chase; the appointed speaker,
Chaplain Clough, being unavoid-
ably absent. The timely words to
which the speaker gave utterance
were most favorably received by
all present. He said: The presence
of these veterans was reason,
why such a one as he was should
not be asked to speak at this time.
The scars of these veterans could
say all that was needed. But 9th
ers thought best that he should
say something; he yielded. We
could say that these were the
graves of heroes. A hero is one
whose definition of life was greater
than self-one who said to his
country, "use me-" The selfish
politician said: 81 will use the
country" The soldier who fights
for plumber can never be heroic,
but the one who fights for con-
viction or for country is q hero.
To him there is something better
than life; and when he feels that he
could-and does give up his life
rather than his convictions, that
man is hero. And in this way
we can speak of the heroic quail
tiles of many on the other side.
1t is to the honor of these veterans
that they met their peers, not their
interiors, on the battle field, and
conquered. We honor this day
because it is the memorial of those
who fought and died for national
union. America has disappointed
the hostile spectators of Europe
and it is only as we trace the his
tory of man in his struggles fol-
simple justice and civil liberty, and
see him again and again the victim
of despotism, that we can under
stand the mission which this peo
pie under God are to work out
Now no superstitious regard for The
divine right OF kings comes in t.
exact passive obedience" all are
equal before the law; all can wor
ship God according to the dictate:
Of conscience. No crusade of the
middle ages has the inspiration
which belongs to our crusade against
ignorance-the dream of universal
education. No old vision of {
splendid feudalism so taxed ant
exalted the imagination as the mod
ern picture of self government
Are not these things worth contend,
ing for? Do they not constitute q
glorious heritage: The speaker ther
went on to say that we honor
these graves, because they are the
resting places of the dead. The
dead were near to us, and we tC
them; the separation was only local
SO memory and love could not
fail, and we place these flowers
upon these graves to signify, II
love, our belief in Immortality, anC
and our faith in the resurrection o
the dead.
The hymn America" was sung
by choir and people. The ben
ediction was pronounced by Rev
Joseph Hewett. Music by the band
followed. and the audience was dis
missed by few timely and patriotic
remarks made by Surgeon J. H
Vivian.
Altogether the service was mos
fitting one, well calculated to cal
forth the higher and nobler i'm
pulses of ones nature, and promp
us to render cheerfully the homo
due to the memory of those wht
laid down their lives that TIL
union might live.
On Sunday evening Mrs. Wm