The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-06-04
Memorial Day

Long DeIOre the tIne IOr Tue cAerCiscs,
our streets were crowded with throngs OF
soldiers and citizens, anxious to join in
paying merited tribute to the honored
dead. Before marching to the cemetery,
Mrs. Lucy Wilcox, on behalf of the w. X.
c., presented to L. B. Quackenbush Post
an elegant silk flag, which was accepted
by the commander in an appropriate speech
We give herewith Mrs. Wilcox's remarks
COMRADES OF THE GRAND ARMY OF
THE REPUBLIC:
Whenever l hear spoken, or see
in print the words, "Grand Army"
feel like pausing and following out
the train of thought they bring to
mind. Where, in all the history OF
the world do we hear of such bravery,
such endurance, such manliness and
uprightness of character as was dis.
played by the boys who wore the
blue? To-day are we indebted to
you, and to Almighty God, for our
independence, our quiet prosperous
homes, and for the preservation of
this Republic.
Years long passed you heard the
call, "Our country is in danger Grid
on your armor and to battle!" In
response, you babe adieu to friends
and home, and said, sour country
must and shall be preserved" Who
SO we'll as you understand the notes
Of the bugle call? How much it cost
to save a Nation, can tell SO we'll.
In all your courage and bravery Of
manhood, you went forth to meet the
enemy on his own ground. The full
meaning of soldiers life and duties is
known to you as no languag: can
partray.
The sorrows and sufferings of the
conflict you left On the battle field,
or consigned to their grave Of forget
fulness. In silence and alone, you
ponder its fearful pages, lifting
thoughts of gratitude to the Great
Preserver that you are still among
the living; quietly you shed a sympa
thizing tear, and thus close its fearful
pages, startled by the thought that it
is all reality, and not dream, as
it seems. Time and language cannot
suffice to tell the half that should be
told.
You have banded yourselves to-
gether in one common brotherhood
from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
from the North to the far South,
brother meets brother by the clasp Of
fraternity known to the members of
this organization. the Grand Army Of
the Republic.
In times of peace as in time of war,
we, the wives, daughters, mothers
sisters and loyal women, banded our
selves together, that in every possible
way we might aid and assist you in
distress, that we may smoothe the
pathway of life. To-day you are the
pride of Nation, they pause from
toll and strife to strew flowers in the
way and upon the graves of fallen
comrades.
We, the members of this Woman's
Relief Corps, rejoice in the honor
shown you, and desire in the most
substantial way that we can devise
to express our interest in your pleas
ure and gladness; and as their repre-
sentative, | present you this flag
emblem of loyalty, independence and
rest in the Great Ruler of the world;
and comrades, when your eye rests
on yonder eagle with its glistening
wings, think not of it as wrought with
mems hands but as an emblem of
independence and like, as the eagle
is mightier than all birds of the air,
mounting high and strong on its own
power of wing, so is this government
mightier and nobler than all powers
of the earth, so this field of ethereal
blue studded with stars, reminds you
of your bright armament, whose stars
are more in number than the sands
of the sea, so this government you
have helped to sustain, shall continue
on.
The procession then formed and march
cd to the cemetery in the following order
X. T. Band. Quackenbush Post. Crane
Post, West Owosso Band, S. of ", WR.C.
in carriages, load of little girls bearing
flowers under charge of Mr.. Wesener. The
exercises then took place consisting of ritual
reading by the Commander and Adjutant.
music by Duff S choir, prayer by Rev.
Thos. Stalker, recitation by Mrs. Barnes,
more music and then came the Grafton of
the day by o. S. Smith, which was listened
to with marked attention and received
universal praise. We print brief extract
herewith:
We are assembled here to-day comrades
and friends to decorate their graves, and
with speech and song and music to cele-
brate and perpetuate their virtues, and
with the flowers of love and affection to
cover their faults-for faults they undoubt-
edly had-but let us hope that every thing
AZ - x.,o x.v1,,lJ not xry;ah 90 I..o H.