Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-06-04
HOME HAPPENINGS.
MEMORIAL ADDRESS.


Sunday opened clear and cloudless. -
In accordance with previous arrangement
the members Of Sleoum Post, q. A. r.,
aud visiting comrades TO the number OF
thirty, assembled at the Cour; House aud
at lO3 O'CLOCK marched to the church--to
the music OF fife and drum--wAere the
memorial services were 10 be held. On
arriving at the church the boys filed in and
took their seats in the front Of the ceater
aisle in seats reserved for them.
The ladies of Webster had evidently
been there before us. judging from the
beautiful floral decorations on every side.
Under a circular motto BEST be the tie
that binds our hearts" painted on the
wall, was large national flag, caught up
in the center, with its folds spreading out
20 the foot of the motto arch on each side
like fan, in the center between the
folds was star and shield made of flow
ers and evergreens, In front of the pull
pit was cross Of roses, surrounded by
rare exotics, while in every window Of
the church were beautiful house plants
and flowers, mingled with red, white and
blue streameTs. 1t warmed the heart of
every soldier present to see this floral
tribute to their dead comrades. Mrs.
Warner, Mrs. Norton, and Mrs. Folsom
furnished flowers and plants and did the
work, while Mrs A. and Il. w. Small,
Mrs Ecker, Mrs. Peabody, Mrs, Hunt
ington and Mrs. Alley aided very mate
rally by sending in their choicest house
plants,
The exercises opened by the choir
most feelingly rendering that grand old
hymn, Jesus lover Of my soul" Then
followed scriptural selections appropriate
to the day and the occasion. Rev. Mr..
Conway offered beautiful and impress
i've prayer. A chant followed, rendered
in most skillful manner by the choir
Rev. Dickinson, comrade, then deliy-
cred fine address. Fearing we should
fail, if we undertook to give an adequate
idea of its excellence by extract and
comment, we concluded to publish it in
full.
We had full list of the names and
commands to which the boys belonged,
for publication but unfortunately, we
lost it and are unable TO do so.
THE Address:
The custom Of appointing days and
observAnces in honor ofnational benefac-
tors is most ancient one The founders
and defenders Of states have shared in
such honors with those who have deep.
ened the channels and purified the
streams Of private and public life and
with those have kindled the fires OF liber.
ty or fed the flames Of patriotism in the
hearts If the people. Ever sacred histo-
ry ia full Of references TO such observan-
ces. Israel Was constantly reminded o.
che faith and deeds OF their fathers and
-exorled to honor and initiate them. TX
this was due largely. their intense nation
al feeling and from il has come their rare
integrity preserved through many ages
and in many lands.
There is a scripture precept which en-,
joins render there lore, honor TO whom
honor is due" In whatever light we
view the great struggle for the preserva
ton Of the Union, whether in it's religi.
Gus, its moral or its political significance
whether in its effect upon our own indi,
vidual or national interests or upon those
Of all IN tho world who love liberty and
hope for IL; we must distrust the intelli
gence, the benevolence and the patriot
ism Of any who refuse to honor the mem
DRY Of the dead heroes Of that struggle.
Honor is their due for what they dared
| and endured There are those Of yor
here who know what war means, that il
is no holiday, IL is no jaunty marching il
brave dress with wavin Gags TO stirrini
music, it is no campaigning in pleasant
fields by flowing streams after the roman
tic fashion Of boys dreams. Itisno granC
rush to pluck honor's laurels from thu
mouth Of blazing cannons or TO plan
\ victorious standards on frowDing parapet
and reap sure and prompt recognition
and reward Of yalor You know tina
war means the sundering Of dearest ties
the turning Of ones back on wife anc
children or loved ones and hrme. Wa
is the sacrifice OF the brightest hopes ans
the best interests Of life. II 10 weary
dreary marching and nameless privatiou
of camp and field. War is life ehbini
away in hospital and prison pen or slon'
upon deserted battle-helds. War is face
ing an armed foe, brave and resoluts (,
win success and merciless in the execu
ton Of that purpose War is exposur
where ten thousand unseen bullets speet
on missions Of woundinG and death. Wa
ia blazing cannon, Shneking, burstin
shell You know that 1t means the lin
gering pains Of She wounded, and oftei
for the living the shattered health am
undermined constitution that make tn
remaining years Of life burden; il is tn
empty sleeve and the weary crutch cal
RED from battlefield TO distant grave;
10 madness ana destruction, blood she
aud death with multiplied souows sew
as widely AZ the land.
We honor the men who went forth I
face such perils and encounter such en-
periences.Some went forth not dreamin
what war was and them we honor, bscaus
when the stern realities were reyesled b,
wars merciless progress they failed moi
but proved faithful, true and brave. An
we honor those who. when all illusion
had been swept away by the awful fact
Of war, went out willingly 10 do cit
zen's duty and make patriots sacrific,
We must honor the host who took the
places and rendered their service, M
dreaming that they we're heroes, or d.
ing more than should be expected /,
true men. Our heroes were great |
their inconsistencies Of greatness
cause 10 their deeds they were not il
spired by the assurance Of recognised h,
roism.
II And it is fitting that the memorial (
their services should fall nj this point