The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-06-05
Decoration Day ut Lawt0n.

In this busy, busting, everyday world of
ours but little time is set apart for the cult
walton of the finer sentiments, those best
adapted to the publication and elevation of
our race. In all the year we have but three
great holidays which appeal directly to the
popular heart, and these are, Christmas, the
anniversary of the birth of n new religion;
Fourth of July, which witnessed the nativity
of our Republics and Decoration day. This
last, which has recently been SO fittingly OBJ
served, is holy day indeed. 1t is the one
day out of the three hundred and sixty-five
that helps to make up the year, on which
the nation, laying aside all business pursuits,
Joins with its citizens in the contemplation
of the cost of free government. 1t Is the
one day on which the living patriots are
brought into close communion with their
noble and heroic dead. And what lesson
the proper observance of this memorial oc
casion teaches. How beautiful, how touch
ing in their significance are ceremonies which
mark its every recurrence and how affecting
to every loyal heart this annual pilgrimage
OF millions to the fields where lie buried
those who freely yielded up their lives that
the principles upon which this nation has
its foundation might not perish from the
earth.
In accordance with general orders, the
members of l.. G. Woodman Post met at
their post-room on the 25th ult., and attend
ed the NJ. L. church in body, there to listen
TO a sermon delivered by Rev. o. d. Wat
kips, which was we'll calculated to awaken
those memories and inculcate such duties as
devolve upon US, the survivors of the war;
The tribute paid to our noble dead has en-
deared him to the hearts of our comrades,
and the many expressions OF sympathy for
the many seasons of suffering in camp and
field has so strengthened that fraternity of
feeling that we can claim him as a comrade
and brother.
He said, Decoration day teaches loyalty
and at the same time increases our love of
country aud for those who, in the dark days,
helped to preserve its integrity. 1t teaches
us that in defense of government "of the
people, by the people and for the people,"
men have freely returned to Him Gods own
gift-their lives, and in so doing they have
made themselves supremacy great. These
truths should be ever borne in mind, and to
keep the memories of our dead sacred, to re-
member, but without bitterness, the cause
for which they died, is the duty of each and
everyone of as. While such memories sur
viye the Union is safe. The whole discourse
was filled with rich thoughts and good adj
vice, and made us feel that instead of one
day for memorial service we were to enjoy a
week, which, together with the ceremonies
of the Both, make us feel as though it had
been memorial week instead OF memorial day.
The morning of the 30th found our post
room filling up with uniformed veterans and
their wives and daughters, bringing in their
floral offerings. To give in detail the whole
programme would occupy too much space.
but must say too much praise cannot be
given to the ladies for the beautiful arrange
ment of the flowers in garlands, bouquets
and wreaths. After the ceremonies at the
cemetery, we marched TO the depot to receive
our speaker for the occasion, Rev. Mr.. Boy
den of Kalamazoo; thence 10 the school
house grounds for dinner where all partook
OF feast OF the good things brought by the
comrades and their families after dinner to
the M. Il. church, where Rev. Mr. Boyden
entertained US in a forty minutes speech
which revived in our memories the many
scenes incident to army life. He knows how
it is, for he has been there. The manner of
his address was well calculated to cheer up
the comrades by the illustrations he drew
from the march, the camp, the foraging
party and the battle field. lie is a comrade
of the e. A. X. and one we are glad to meet.
The exercises closed by few responses,
toasts and few general remarks, to the en-
tire satisfaction of citizen and soldier, and
10 the i. o. o. f. who joined with us in the
forenoon parade to and from the cemetery.
HIGH PRIVATE.