Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1886-06-03
EXTRACTS FROM MEMORIAL SPEECH OF
J.J. NJ MINTIRE, DELIVERED AT
HURLEY, MAY 80, 1886.

HURLEY, MAY 80, 1856.
To-day many silent tear will be shed
and many Il head will be bowed in
grief as our people turn their thoughts
to the brave boys who, when danger
threatened, rushed forward to defend
the flag OF our nation, and all the great
interests and grand institutions with
which that flag has been SO intimately
connected for more than hundred
years. Many of the graves of our COM
rades are rendered green by the vernal
showers of more than score of years.
But are they forgotten? Or are they
regarded with Indifference? ! appeal
not only to these comrades, but to you,
my friends, who share the rich blessings
OF peace and the golden fruits OF Union
victories, but not the terrible results of
war. Do you disregard the memory
and the tombs of those without whose
v;llor and heroism this Republic would
| have been dislnembered and her glorious
old flag would have been contemned
and trampled in the dust? No, the
solemn expression OF this audience is
evidence that they are not forgotten.
| We all love our country; we love its
defenders and we will not only gather
Gods fairest emblemS of love to place
on their sepulchreS. but we will sing
and celebrate their praises; tor they are
| .he nations defenders and our ben
etactors. The iethian river of time is
bearing us away from the deadly con-
flict that added so many graves to the
battle field, to the hospital to the prison
pen, ay, and to the cemeteries all
through our land; vet, you remember
and the loyal people OF this nation re.
member, and almost revere the tombs
wherein lie the defenders and saviors
of this government. A new generation
has arisen since the war OF the rebellion
Most of you are affected by that wal
only us it regards its favorable results
only by sharing the peace, prosperity
results have brought you. You may
therefore ask us, "why all this atten
tion to the memory and regard for The
graves of departed comrades" 1Ot
say, they were only common men
They died and all must die. Then WIN
give them such marked distinction2 2
Yes, but YOU must observe the broaC
distinction between the death OF thos,
who die as the result of the usual pro
videnceS and c;luSaltieS of life, lnt
that OF those who meet a prematur
, death to save their nation from diSgrac
and their posterlty from oppression. b.
; facing an invading and relentless foe
Each soldier who voluntarily an,
faithfully fought to break the shackle
from four millions of his enslave
countrymen. and for the perpetuity o
our nations prosperity and honor, wa
, a hero; and each who fell thus lies in
hero's grave.
When the noble Lincoln, and the n
less noble Garfield fell by assassin
weapons, and when the hero of thre
score battles and almost us many viz
tories, fell by disease, the nation mourn
ed, and sacred memories linger aroun
their tombs. While we venerate thes
representatives Of craftsmanship an
. patriotism, we believe that each hun
t bic soldier who sacrificed, or jeopart
t lied his life for his home, his friend
his country, was just as important
the nations safety and welfare, whe
/. he faced the entmy's cannon, as wa
night crown his head. Each was a
important factor in the salvation {
our country. In our veneration30r tt
great we should not forget the braveI
C and the honors due to the commo
= soldier. We have no complaints
offer of undue honors paid to any who!
= bravery and genius aided in saving tt
e government. But while the COVER
ment is awarding from five to TWEEN,
thousand dollars to retired army of
GERS whose danger was much less tha
that OF those who composed the brea.
Is works between the officer and Il
d enemy, we should we spiW mainta
le the cause OF the rank and file. who,
: the risk of life, defended all those i
y terests SO dear to every loyal Amer
y can.
With soldlery less brave and
terlnined the Uuion would have be,
divided and weakened. Enthron
despotism, from. England to Chin
would have eXulted; and like the tig
whose eyes CLEAN with hope as
60 gaZeS upon his expected prev. SO q
re eye of despotism from the old wor
re would have looked upon this Repnb
I had satanic avarice, which Knocked
=, slavery's woes, and mad rebellion t
of nmphed over the liberty-loying sons
is the North.
ly Many atteippts have been made !
i show the terrible realities of war. a
~ to impress such realities upon tht
>n whohaye never experienced them. B
as far rs the light of yonder sun, Viii