Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-05-30
THE SOLDIER DEAD.
Tribute to the Memory of the I'm
ions Defenders.
TODAY's EXERCISES IN THIS CITY.
The Procession and Ceremonies at
Court House square---FlaG Rats
ings-To the National cemetery This
Afternoon.

This is Memorial day. an occasion
when many touching and sacred remin-
ders are recalled. Perhaps none are i'm
bued with tenderer sentiment than this
extract from an GRAFTON by Hen. Chaun-
cey NJ. Depew: when the war was
over, in the south. where. under warmer
skies and with more poetic tempera-
ments. symbols and emblems are better
unde rstood than in the practical north.
the widows, mothers and children of the
confederate dead went out and strewed
their graves with flowers: at many places
the women scattered them impariislly
also over the unknown and unmarked
resting places of the union soldiers. As
the news of this touching tribute flashed
over the north. it reused, as nothing else
could have done. national amity and
love, and sllayed sectional luminosity and
passion. 1t thrilled every household
fireside. and an aching void in heart for
a lost hero whose remains had never
been found; OLD wounds broke out
afresh, and in a mingled tempest of
grief and JOY, the family cried: Maybe.
1t was our darlingr Thus out of sor-
ows-common alike to the north and
south-csme this beautiful custom. But
Memorial day no longer belongs to those
who mourn. 1t is the common privilege
of us all. and will be celebrated as long
as gratitude exists and flowers bloom"
A more beautiful Memorial dag has not
been witnessed in Rock Island since the
Introduction of the solemn and patriotic
custom. Buford post and the various
organizations assisting in the observance
assembled at the posts headquarters on
Second avenue. and under escort of Mar
lice and Bleuet's band proceeded to Spen-
Ger square. where at 8 o'clock this morn
ing beautiful flag which Commis>
sioner jackson had secured, was raised
on the flagstaff of the bsrdstsnd and
then the column was formed under
Marshal of the Day j. Alex Montgomery
and his aides, W A Norris and Henry
ladders and
THE Pre- CEssIoN
moved down to court house square in the
following manner:
Platoon of Police.
Bleuer's Band.
The Rodman Rifles
MAJ or, City Officers and Council.
sland City odge, No. q. A o. u W, and other
members of the society.
Buforl Post Drum Corps, under command of c. II.
Church.
Modern Woodmen.
Morris Camp Sons of Veterans.
Buford Post and other g. A X. veterans.
Citizens on foot.
AT THE COURT HOUSE SQUARE
the societies gathered about the soldiers
monument Immediately south of which a
speakers stand had been erected. Oil
yer Olsen, ESQ. as presiding officer of
the day. made few patriotic and fitting
remarks, when a chorus of school chill
dren under Prof. l. c. Dougherty's d.
rection, and TO an organ accompaniment
by Mrs. Paul Hamilton. sang sweetly the
Flag of the Free" Rev. H. G. Marshall
offered prayer, and Prof. Bowlby's male
chorus, composed OF Messrs, Dougherty.
Bishop, W. G. Collins, Frank Collins, Ed
Collins. Dodge. Elliott, Clifford. Naylor,
Bullock, Perrett, Bollmsn. Huntley.
Losey and Robinson, sang. "a Tear for
the Comrade That's Gone"
MI Olsen then introduced the orator
of the occasion, Capt. F. G. Heaps, of
Annawsn, who delivered a lengthy and
very able Grafton. 1t was statistical to a
large degree, AMI the speaker drew
some excellent lessons from the
solemn duties of the day, the
spirit of the times over quar-
ter of century ago that caused
thonsa of men to yield up their lives
that freedom might be perpetuated among
the institutions of this government for
ever Moving among the disembodled
spirits of these silent soldiers, he said, we
once more pledge our faith and our hopes
to our beloved land. Your orators may
be silent today, your music hushed. your
flags and banners furled and laid away.
but these green mounds, the widowless
homes of the dead, cannot be silenced-
they are eloquent still. The memories OF
those who sleep here come back to US
vivilly this morning. The lone widow a:
she gathers her children about her will
rem ember the fond husband who gave hel
the farewell embrace, kissed baby ant
children goodbye and hurried to the
tented field; the aged father, who, with
trembling hand bears on the staff to
support his feeble steps. thinks of that
beloved son who went forth in manhood
| pride with heart beating high will
hope and love of country. but never re
turned. That sorrowing mother as sh'
kneels by the grave of her darling boy
calls that face and form once bouyan
| with health, that hand and arm the sup
port of her lone motherhood, and weep
over the early fallen in silent bitterness
The loving sisters as they think of tina