Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-06-06

course, greatly enjoyed by all, the reunion
and the friendly greetings consequent upon
1t being even more ENJOYABLE than the repast
again formed, headed by the Concordia brass
band, and ollowed by Concordia. Richmond
and Lexington Posts, and by the. Lexington
Turnverein. The command then marched to
Machpelah cemetery where the principal GER
emonies of the day were observed, q large
number of persons being assembled to Wit
ness them. The graves were suitably deco
rated with flowers, everg!eens, and other
tokens of affection, after which Commander
Hess recited an original poem suitable to the
occasion. Mr.. Geo. Price, the orator of the
day, then delivered the following
Ladies and Gentlemen; Fellow Citizens -
The national law has been t~riumphantly sus-
tanned. The stability and integrity Of our
| free institutions have been unalterably and
happily fixed. Everywhere throughout the
entire length and breadth OF the land, univer-
sal and equal political liberty is assured for
all the people, Therefore, with the pro-
foundest gratitude and greatest heartfelt de-
votion, the spirit of the republic bows itself,
this day, at the side of the soldier dead. in
all reverence and in honor of the immortal
Qee0S IOr tQe preservation OIL tue CUlOu.
Every feeling, every sentiment and every tie
that can compass the heart of the enthusiastic
and devoted citizen with its eternal springing
and burning wealth of appreciation and graf
itude for the heroes OF the Revolutionary
war, of their mighty, their patriotic and sue
cessful efforts in launching forth the Repub-
lie; yet, whatever may be OF thankfuiness
and gratelulnsss residenced in the heart of the
lover of his country for those patriots who
produced the Republic-that lover of his
country cannot fail at the graves OF the
Boys in Blue" to baptize out of the very
depths of his heart, with its best and purest
drops of gratitude and affection, that dust
there, which yielded from the flesh that the
nation might be preserved. From the be-
ginning till the close of the WAR of the Re-
bellion," there were In the ranks of the ma
tional armies two millions of men. The gal
liant and heroic conduct of those brave men
will ever have the admiration and Landings
OF all nations and all peoples. In that war
five hundred thousand patriot soldiers, upon
The battlefield, i'll the prisons and hospitals,
willingly, wildly and heroicallY surrendered
up their lives to maintain the national in
| tegrltY.
Let it he said as of historical fact aud also
for the national gratitude that hardly without
zens responded promptly and ardently to the
! every call OF Abraham Lincoln. They fought
E rs efficiently and loyalty for country and home
az men ever did tight. This is of equal
, truth and application to all our foreign popu-
~lation. The causes and effects, circumstance
and results of the "War OF The Rebellion
7 will ever be justly of pertinent application
and for fruitful speculation in American poll
tics, Jurisprudence and literature.
Let US this day cast off from over oul
bosoms the mantle of seltishness and fee
, with the souls touch the high and solemn
Offices of this occasion. Decoration or MEM
e orial day, May 80, of each year, is the graci-
GUS appointment of the Grand Army of the
t Republic" Its first observance was IN 1865
at the instance of the commander then of the
Grand Army, that distinguished soldier and
, sterling patriot, Gen. Logan. From that day
!. till this the general observance of these cere-
IL monies have been Of a national and public
8 character. This Is TO you q hallOwed day
e Out of the beautiful and tender feeling Ont
: soldier has tor another, it Is caused this day
We see the survivors of the soldiers of the
, Republic so strongly around the marrow
homes" Of their dead comrades, bringing
e with them tioural tributes and anguishint
hearts to flow. How grand, how chivalrOus
r Indeed, these are the times Of the tru'
u chivalry.
e Thus the tie that no power can sever,
. Comrades they were and still comrades re
MAN,"
Those dead ones then! Who are they AL,
wherefore did they dieY Our country 'us only
in thy gratitude and love they can ever abide
u again with thee. They are gone. FOreve
n taken away. Enlisted for all time in thu
grand army of the dead, but by their glOriOu!
: deaths the nations life will ever be inspired
If Their breaking off Of home and social rela
tions were no more than what occurs to al
u soldiers who 90 forth to do and die, but O
their deaths there was an unequaled sweet
ness, for
"My country it's of thee"
Father, mother, son and daughter, be eve
diligent 10 instruct the rising generation t.
feel with that degree of respect and CRATE
fulness for our dead soldiers, as you your
selves do now feel for them. Have this mex
generation always to respect and honor thos,
, living ex-sOldiers who supported the caus'
of the nation during its darkest hours. Ii
:, tine, let them give ''cheers for the living
tears for the dead" You will then have don,
u beautiful duty, one that will rebound witt
success to national virtue. Time and deatl
have always kept even race. The ysunge
ex-soldiers will soon be old men. The rank
:. of the Grand Army are being thipned week
i ly by the hundreds. Time and death viii
soon pass you all by, but may the kin,
offices and richest bounties of the natioh, b.
unstinted hands be to your comfort and hap
piness through life.
80 make each patriot soldiers grave,
A sacred shrine to be-,
That a high altar 1t may prove
OF stalwart loyalty"
Altogether the day was one which, Will
it recalled sad and tender memories of tn
past, also cemented many friendships of tn
present, and it was thus a day long to b
pleasantly remembered by all who partici
pated. Lexington's G. A. X. people hop
often to have their guests with them.