The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-31
ELSEWHERE IN INDIANA.
Celebration at Observation-Disclosures by
Maj. w. III. Calkins.

Celebration at Observation-Disclosures by
Maj. w. III. Calkins.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CRAwFoRDsvILLE, May 30-Memorial Day
was generally observed. Most of the business
houses were closed about three hours this after
noon. The day was rather damp, rain having
fallen during the night. The different commit
tees met at the courthouse at 8 A. NJ, and pro-
ceeded to the several cemeteries and strewed the
graves of the fallen heroes with flowers and
planted a flag at the head of each grave. The
exercises of the day were under the charge of
Mcpherson Post. g. A R.
This afternoon the main exercises were con-
Quoted at Music Hall The post met at head
quarters at l o'clock and took up lire of march
which finally brought them to the hall The
exercises were opened with prayer by the Chap
lain, Rev E. B. Thompson. The roll of the
dead was then read by Adjutant G. M. Travis.
recitation given by Master Claude Travis,
lad about eight years old Hon. VIM. H.
Calkins then delivered an Grafton that will not
be soon forgotten by those present.
He said this was day of memories when we
place upon the graves Of the fallen heroes the
wreaths to commemorate their deeds. This
day has been dedicated to this work, not by law,
but by public sentiment He felt that those
who died to save this country did not die in
vain. Twenty years ago we were
killing each other and causing suf-
fering in order that we should now enjoy
our present liberty. Our flag signifies that our
country is founded on the idea that the people
capable of self-government So long as our
kind of government is administered properly,
just SO long viii it exist Our idea of govern
meDt was born in oppression. There can be no
republic without the cultivation of religious
thought, learning and patriotism. 1t
took ninety years for US to settle
that our national unity was more than States,
rights. Before the war we had two kinds of
cvixation-one founded upon the church and
school house, and the other upon human slavery.
Now this is a free Nation in fact as well as in
theory. Comrades, are getting old, and the
frosts OF many winters are upon our heads 1t
will be only few more rolcalls before our names
will upon the roll of the dead; so while we live
let the tie of friendship bind us closer together
as our members become fewer. Let US place
the memory OF the noble women who were our
mfnistering angels in the hospitals alongside
those we cherish, and of our comrades who died
in battle We can never forget the line of
battle, the puffs of smoke on the skirmish line,
which indicated the approach of the enemy the
suspense, the charge the order to fire. the wav-
ering of the line the fierce combat the repuise,
the word that help is coming. the arrival of the
guns their action, and the repulse Of the enemy,
nor do we forget those who fell there. The battle
is wen. The cost was great but it is our victory.
After the benediction by the chaplain the
post marched back to headquarters and thus
ended the exercises of the day.
Gen. M. d. Manson was the Memorial Day
orator at Monon, and Hon. p s. Kennedy at
Wavnestown