Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-05-31
DECORATION DAY.


Memorial Day is now looked forward
TO with quite as much interest as the
Fourth of July, and the weather on that
day is for some time before q subject of
solicitude. Therefore the pouring rain
which ushered in the day fell more
heavily on the hearts of our citizens
who were interested in the exercises of
the day than it did on the roofs and
payements of the city, But before the
day was far advanced there were de-
cided signs of clearing, and by ten
o'clock the sun was shining brightly
gIinting on the polished marble of the
monument, and twinkling through the
maple leaves which were dancing mer-
rily in the west wind-and no previous
one of the score of Decoration Days has
seen such a wealth of full-grown foliage
rs those naples showed this Decora-
ration Day.
BY noon the court house park was
thronged and the adjacent streets lined
with people in holiday attire, IN spite
of the muddy roads and threatening
morning showing that as holiday
Memorial Day is placed by the people
beside and none below Independence
Day. These two days represent two
grand eras in the country's history: its
birth and its regeneration. But the
former is a day of sadness while the
latter is a day Of rejoicing. The former
represents the end of a long and bloody
struggle with all its fearful cost counted
up; the latter, the bright and enthusi-
astic beginning Of the struggle. unsbad-
owed by all the suffering aud darkness
which were to come.
The monument was heavily draped
in black and garlanded with brilliant
flowers, the remarkably advanced sea-
son furnishing an unusual wealth Of
floral offerings.
Under the thick shade Of the NAPLES
on the north side of the court house
park the seats for the audience were
placed and between them and the court
house was a spacious speakers stand,
draped with the stars and stripes
About one o'clock the audience as
sembled in front of the stand. Upon
the stand were the editor of the Cassyille
Current, the Orator, the President Of
the day, the clergy, the Commander of
the post, some prominent and veneer
able citizens, and the choir.
The exercises opened with a plaintive
air by the band. Capt Chas. II. Bax-
ter, President Of the day, then made the
following opening address:
Fel7ov Citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t is indeed sad and solemn occa-
sion that brings us together. To-day
the Nation mourns. In every loyal
community, from Maine to California,
from the North even to the South, low
ing hearts and loyal hands Irvine gar
lands and place above the ashes of our
dead, who gave their lives that the Re-
public might live. Two million free
men, at their country call, sprang to
arms, to maintain the Union and up
hold its laws. They came from every
loyal state and territory, from every
rank and condition in society. the rich
and poor alike, from the farm, the shop,
and the office, all animated with the
same feeling-love of country.
Of this grand army of the Union,
three hundred thousand never returned;
they sleep the sleep that knows no wax
inc. They died of disease, starved in
rebel prisons, or fell upon the field Of
battle; their forms moldered 10 dust
and grateful people render homage tc
their memory. To each and every call
even to the end, the loyal sons Of Grant
responded Seven hundred and fifty
names recorded upon that beautiful
shaft attest their vaor and devotion
We read Cox, Hyde, Cow. Mckee, they
were your sons, brothers, fathers anC