St. Paul daily globe., 1888-05-31
AT THE CAPITOL.
Memorial Exercises with an Ora
ton by Col. G. ID. Kerr.

tiOn by Col. c. ID. Kerr.
Long before the procession arrived,
the capitol rgrounds were filled with
people. Many veterans, too feeble to
march, yet proudly wearing their blue
coats and badges, composed a liberal
part of the audience. Ladies were
there in great numbers, and to the
fences and trees clung the irrepressible
small boy to the number of several hun
dred. The sidewalks, from WabaSha to
Cedar were lined with people, and the
streets on all sides filled with vehicles.
In many respects the scene reSembled
an enormous park, and it was rare
treat for the children for only Oh such
occasions are they allowed the free
dom of the capitol lawn. The
windows of the building were filled
with ladies, likewise the windows and
roofs OF private residences within sight.
The speakers stand had been erected
on the steps leading to the southern ell
trance 20 the capitol. and when the pro-
cesSion came, it was given the place of
honor nearest the platform, the band
and members of the q. A. r. in front.
The exercises were opened with a
dirge by the First Regiment band, fol-
lowed with prayer by Rev. E. d. Neill.
Z. st. Julien Cox read the general Or
ders. The vocal music by the quar-
tette, r. c. Munger, John DOnahue,
Frank Wood and John f. Gehan, was
very good; also the recitation by Will
lam W. Pendergast of Ingersolrs
''Vision, the Past Rises Before Me Like
Dream"
COL. KERR'S GRAFTON.
Col. c. ID. Kerr was introduced as ora
tor of the day, and made an eloquent
address as fOllnWS.
At time of wonderful prosperity,
of high national honor, distinc-
ton and power we are brought to-
gether on this day by our love of coun-
try, and by our gratitude for signal
services and patriotic devotion to pay a
tribute of grateful remembrance at the
graves of men who illustrated these
qualities in their lives and by their
deaths. The scenes which the duties of
this day recall carry me back quarter
OF century. 1t is easy, when all the
tender memories entWined about the
heart-StringS of the soldier are awakened
and refreshed by the ceremonies of this
day, to Obliterate the intervening years
and stand again side by side with our
dead comrades in the struggle that
brought them to the grave. Yet, con-
slider for moment what these interven-
ing years have brought forth. No coun-
Iiy Ill the WOrlu-S history can snow such
growth as marks our advance from
the position we occupied before the
blight and desolation of war fell upon
us. Compare the Minnesota of to-day.
with its thriving villages and metropol-
1tan cities: its railways and manufact-
Ories, with the wilderness of 1860.
Truly we live in wondrous age. Events
SO various and so important that theV
might crowd and distinguish centuries,
are i'll our times compressed with
in the compass of single life.
AS soldier, am deeply sensible of the
honor SO freely shown to my dead COM
rades. Yet, at the same time, cannot
but think that we sometimes forget. OF
at least undervalue, the influence OF the
women of the North in bringing the war
to 4 successful conclusion. Noman can
oYereStimate the share that the
WIVES, MOTHERS AND SISTERS
of our soldiers bore in stimulating and
promoting these qualities throughout
the army. Is it any wonder that na,
tion which can boast such mothers and
daughters as ours has demonstrated the
fact that 1t can never be enslaved non
disrupted? We owe it to ourselves and
to poSterIty to ever mark the return Of
Decoration day with grateful ceremo-
MES; not alone in commemoration OF