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


If prosecuted in the sacred name OF free
dom and human rights, are worth the
price,
! Oar four years war, our half million
slain, our treasure poured out life water
were not too great price to pay for the
union. Upon ths preservation Of the
union the fate Of the nation depended.
Up TO that time its preservation had
been doubted by statesmen and critics
at home and abroad. Its wreck or col
lapse had been predicted whenever it
should encounter any great shock Of for
eign war or internal strife. Its enemies
had hoped. its friends had feared for it
this fate. As the war cloud darkened
down upon us, foreign foes of the Repub-
lie reioiced that now at length our sun
was TO suffer an eclipse or as many of
them believed, was to set forever. But
the lovers Of liberty and the oppressed
Of many lands shuddered at the growing
gloom in the west, where for them had
shone the brightest light Of hope. The
Serfs of Russia heard the boom OF our
cannon. the peasants of Scandinavia fol-
lowed with intensest interest the records
| OF the struggle, the Lancashire operatives
and the toilers at the looms OF Lyons
listened to the thunders Of the war aud
they hoped or dcspaired as the successive
shocks Of the conflict promised victory or
overthrow to the Republic.
The men who in their OWE persons en-
dured the shocks Of war who with their
lives paid the price Of victory, who in
their blood cemented the Union of all
the states, who created the fact and the
universal sentiment of nationality aud
removed forever the greatest hindrance
to growth and prosperity deserve
the reverent and grateful honor Of this
and every generation that follows to reap
at ease and in peace where they sowed
with sacrifice and in anguish. Therefore
render we, honor TO whom honor Is duel
Honor is due them for the value to the
nation Of their example Of patriotism.
What constitutes national strength and
security Not breadth of fertile lands,
though we have that; not the wealth Of
waving forests; not mountains full Of
ores or precious metals; not mighty
rivers or sea-like lakes The essential
element of q nation is not its manifold
industries; its ceasless looms; It's varied
merchandise, its works OF art or ingenious
skill. 1t is not the vast net work of its
rail roads, nor the winged commerce Of
the seas. The strength and security OF =
nation is in the hearts Of its people. II
they love it, ifthey stand ready to lie.
fend IT in times of peril; il they intelIi.
gently prize and resolutely maintain its
liberties at cost Of personal interests or Of
life; If they are ready TO seal their coniss-
sion Of faith and loyalty in their blood
such nation is strong and secure.
The example and patriotism Of the
heroes Of our CIVIL war is the mightiss
factor to create patriotism in all succeed
ing generations and so to fortify the ma
ton better than with forts, siege guns or
navies. She may have no great standing
armies maintained at ruinous cost AZ in
European nations, but she has strength
and security which no army can give in
the ready loyalty Of every son and daugh.
ter. The camp fire Of her Watch on the
Rhine" burns in the hearts of her 30 mil
lions Of people, and every home raises
and trains soldiers the landwiehr FOR hei
defense in time Of need. Thus the sleep
ing thousands Of her dead hye again in
hearts taught by their example to be
patriotic, brave and ready for service oil
sacrifice.
Each hallowed dust the germ Of glory is
Quick with sleeping message which
shall stir
when the sharp crisis comes and CALI
for men,
, inheritance Of valor Is in this.
Lead faith to living faith shall minester
And in the sons the siTes shall hgh
again.
Hand unto hand the lamp of yalor gives
The hands may perish, but the lamI
burns still
dany Of those whose example we hon
or to-day lived to See the day Of victor,
and 10 enisy its fruits. But many fell il
the long night Of war fell even before
the dawn Of the morning OF success an,
! peace. And where do they rest2 SOM
sleep in the midst Of the ordered beaut,
Of great cemeteries cared for by III,
j wealth Of popubous cities. Many in th,
, vast camps Of the dead watched over n
, the nation at Arlington, Gettysburg an,
: Nashville. Many in the rural stiffness o
, country grave.yards near the friend
: they loved in life, who weeping sen
, them forth 10 the war and weeping resei
we'd back their dead and laid them dow
/ tenderly in their resting place. Blu
/ many more brave boys fell here AM
: there throughout the South and no one
J knoweth TIE place oftheirsepnlchre, Will
over many graves stands the headston
. with the record unknown But whstll
. er here or there, whether known or un
: known, the whole nation 10 sacred
{ bound to guard their memories from obi
! WON and make the story oftheir deed
D and sacrifices so familiar that they ma
live on reverenced and powerful in oths
D hearts and lives.
: We gather here to-day, friends an
{ comrades, ss they gather in every part {
9 the land TO share in the tribute OF tende
! and sacred recollections. And thong
!. We have here no soldiers graves TO stree
] with flowers though in this new cor
9 mon wealth, created since their deed
= won blessings for tive have no tom
i Of Elisha the touch Of whose bones ma
!, stir new life in us; though we meet, con
n rades, far from the sod If Virginia, th
It rocks OF Lookout mountains and the re
> hills that stretch from Gettysburg TO III
II Gulf--yet We will not forget TO do wis
n we can to honor their deeds and graft
= fully enshrne their patriotism in histor.
! Though we have said this is the N
, tions duty and though il is the duty
all you who had no part in their deed
Il il is especially fitting, comrades, that "
II should be foremost In this work. Men