Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-30


SECOND DIVISION.
c. Fl. Church Drum Corps.
Mayor and City Council.
Invited Guests and Speakers.
Buford Post, G. A. X.
School Children.
Citizens.
ATTHE MONUMENT.
Arriving at the Rock Island county
soldiers monument, the societies and cit
liens grouped themselves about the marble
shsft.tne post going within the fenced en-
closure and the officer of the day and
singing societies taking seats on plat>
form erected just outside.
The monument was never more pret>
tlly decorated with flowers and wreaths,
while at the side stood wooden monu-
ment ten feet high, handsomely trimmed
with flowers, etc, and bearing the em>
blems of the order. This was the design
and workmanship of j. B. johnson, John
Williams and Steve Hull, and was a
tribute to the unknown dead from the
A. o. u. W. societies of the city. 1t, with
a floral anchor from the Degree of Honor
Auxiliary of the A o U. w, was pre-
sented to the post.
Gen. w. A. Schmidt, president of the
day. presided and announced that the
first thing would be reading of the
orders Of the day. This was done by
Adjt. M. T. Stafford. Prayer was
offered by Rev. H. G. Leland. and Eek
hsrdt's Great Western band played
"Nearer My God to Thee" The school
children of building No. sang The
Star Spangled Banner" under the leader
ship of Principal c. L. Perry. and
then
DR.. PATRICK GREGG
was Introduced by President Schmidt.
The doctor made one of his character,
istic short and patriotic speeches,
speaking with much affection of those
whose sacrifices were this day recognized,
whose memories will last as long as the
nation exists. Though flowers fade and
marble monuments crumble and fall,
the lessons of true patriotism they
taught should ever be cherished, and we,
as the nation progresses, should con-
tinue to foster our love for the glorious
flag whom brave men died to save and to
be ready at ell times to defend it with
our lives, and if any man dare assail OIL
insult it to shoot him CD the spot.
Miss Clara johnson recited "Colum.
bias Soldier Dead" in manner that pro-
voked much admiration, Eckhart's band
rendered selection, Fred Pollard de-
claimed excellently THE Private That
Carries the Gun" Bowlby's chorus sang
THE Brave Battery Boys" and Rod
Sturgeon recited "The Blue and the
Gray" very creditably. Principal Perry's
school chorus sang THE White and
Blue" and
PRINCIPAL W. H. HATCH,
of the Rock Island high school
was introduced and made one of
his fitting addresses. speaking Of
the occasion of the day and its
sipnific ance to the the nation and to us
all, of the grand achievements of the
men, 10000 of whose silent forms ART
scattered through this land today, whose
heart blood was poured out that TIT
union might be preserved. He alluded
touchingly to the sorrow we should man
ifest for the heroic dead, the tributes ",
should pay those who died in such cause
and the honor we should show the ivins
veterans of such strife.
Then came the Grand Army
RITUAL CEREMONIES,
conducted by Commander Thomas Camp
bell of Buford Post. who read from
the staied service of the order the approp
rate selection:
Today is the festival of our dead W.
unite to honor the memory of our brav,
and our beloved, to enrich and ennoblt
our lives by recalling public heroisu
and private worth that are immortal
to encourage by our solemn service &
more jealous and stalwart patriotism
Festival of the dead Yes, though many
eyes IRE clouded with tears, though
many hearts are heavy with regret
though many lives are still desolate be-
cause of the father or brother, the hus-
band or lover, who did not come back
though every grave, which q tende
reverence or love sdorns with flowers. il
the shrine for sorrow. whose influence il
still potent. though its first keel
poigns ncy has been dulled-despite o
all, today is festival. a festival of on
dead; no less festival because il is full
Of sole unity.
And now, as in this silent camping
ground of our dead, with soldierly tender
ness and love, we garland these passion
less mounds, let as recall those whit
made their breasts barricade between
our CO lntry and its foes. Let us REGAL
their tolls, their sufferings, their heroism
their Supreme fidelity in camp. in prison
pen, OH the battle field and in the hospital
that the flag under which they Tough
and from the shadow of whose folds the,
were promoted may never be dishonored
that Il 10 country for whose union AM
supremacy they surrendered life, ma
have the fervent and enthusiastic devo
ton Of every citizen; that, IS We stan
by every grave a. before an altar. "
may p edge our manhood that 30 help q