Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-06-06
NOT FORGOTTEN.
Flowers Cover the Graves of the
Sleeping Soldiers.

Memorial Day dawned clear and
bright, but Nature soon yelled the
brightness of the sun, and the subdued
gray light seemed more in keeping
with the solemnities of the day. At
about eleven o'clock the GA. r.. post
assembled on the green in front of the
church and Memorial exercises began.
After brief ceremonies the G. A. II.
formed in marching line and, followed
by flower laden Misses and little chill
dren, and long line of carriages, pro-
ceeded to thecemetery. The solemn
and Impressive rite of decorating the
graves of the dead soldiers, was con-
cluded and the congregation dismissed
to meet again at the church at one
o'clock. The graves decorated were
those of =. r. Hall, Eager and Hunt.
In the afternoon the church was
crowded to its utmost capacity. Com
mander stephens commenced the ex-
ercises in the regulation manner.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Vessey.
The audience sang America, after
which Judge Converse was announced.
lie said it was impossible for him to
do justice to the object for which We
had met. ltis meet that we should be
here to memoriZe the fallen dead.
Comrades, brush from the tablets of
your memories the dust of thirty
years. Think Of the questions agita-
ting cur minds then. We could not
believe tho dire threats made, that,
should what was called a sectional
man, be elected to the presidency, the
South would withdraw from our gov
ernment. But this is what they did.
At first when the war trumpet sounded
$4,000 volunteers were called for.
These at first were given $500 a
month which was afterwards raised to
$1,000. This was promised in gold or
its equivalent. How were these PROM
ises kept? Wives and children were
to be taken care of. Was this done?
All these things are fresh in our
minds. Our wives and children were
not taken care of. Their lives were
shortened by hard toll as Well AS ours.
Soldiers were paid in deprecated cur
rency amounting to $500 OF $1,000 a
month. Our government promises
great things. They talk about pen
slons. 1t the wages promised were
paid with interest no pensions would
be needed. When the war closed we
were welcomed home and grandly re-
ceived amid great rejoicing, but have
not been treated justly since. They
are waiting for the old soldiers to die
off. They do not know what to do
with the surplus in the treasury, and
are devising varioas ways IN which to
spend it. We never expect renumera-
tion. Mr.. Converse then read an ex-
tract from a Roman speech; bringing
out their belief that only the brave are
immortal, and those who perish by the
sword received the highest reward.
DIR. Nesmith then read an essay in
which the history of this country was
reviewed. Our nation founded on
liberty. After music by the choir,
Rev. Huntley addressed the audience
in an interesting manner. The Israe-
lites in crossing the Jordan, each took
a stone and piled them up as i me-
mortal of their deliverance. We do
not celebrate our victory over the
South. That would be rejoicing over
the defeat of a brother. Memorial
DAY will teach our children what this
nation has cost, and at what dear
price our land was saved entire. Re
ferrlng to Mr.. Converse's remarks he
said perhaps there was good excuse
for the seeming injustice to the old
soldier. We must remember that Con-
9ress is largely mace up OF the defeated
South who expect no pensions and are
very naturally reluctant to grant pen
sions to their victOrs. Our northern
are doing grandly all
in tn cir power for justice to the soldiers.
TO make the war seem more real to the
children and young folks present, Mr..
lInntley related several amusing in
cidents and also some pathetic scenes
which he passed in his army
life. which were attentively listened
to and enjoyed by the audience. The
choir very beautifully sang "L0ng
S:o +ha Sn)d;ar who has fought for