The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1890-06-07
DECORATION DAY.
Memorial En- ,rcises In Ottawa on Friaay
Lust-The Records.

more beautiful or more uncomfort-
able day for the observance or the Ma
tional holiday OF decoration than was
Yesterday. The sky was clear, only
here and there feecy cloud showing
itself above the horizon, and the suns
rays found no obstacle in their path
as they beat down in merciless fury
upon the parched streets and pave
ments. The heat came down in blocks
and stayed from sunrise until long
after darkness had settled down over
the tree tops on the boulevards.
Notwithstanding the intense heat,
acrowd of several thousand people had
gathered at Washington Park at 1870
O'Clock, before the procession, headed
by Chas. f. Petit, marshal of the day,
and composed of the chaplain and ora
tors of the day in carriages, a martial
band, Company d, the Sons of Vete,,
rams, the G. A. r., old soldiers. and
citizens, had marched from Court
street to the southwest gate.
The services opened with the deco
ration of the soldiers monument and
the reading of the G.. A. Il. ritual,
followed by the National anthem. the
"Star Spangled Baner," splendidly
rendered by chorus Of children from
the schools lead and directed by Prof.
Weeks.
Rev. Harris II. Gregg, chaplain of
the day, said a very impressive
prayer. The chorus then sang the
'Red, White and Blue"
President Bowman introduced Rev.
Frank Lines, who addressed the as
semblage as follows:
1T affords me much pleasure TO be
called upon to make an address on an
occasion Of this kind, and ! feel de-
lighted to be given an opportunity to
speak to such a vast and intelligent
gathering. We are here to-day to
commemorate the memory Of the dead
heroes who left home and friends to
fight for country and honor.
All men, even the worst savage, has
some degree Of patriotism, but the
patriotism which animates the heart
of every true American citizen is the
bright meteor In cur civilization.
During the late civil war the patriot
ism of the American was shown when
he left wife and daughters at home
and took his boys and went TO fight
for the Union.
The stars and stripes is the emblem
of human liberty and freedom. The
American people stand against oppres-
sion. 1t is the duty of all parents to
teach their children the meaning Of
the stars and stripes-nOt what it is
but what it but stands for. We
are here not merely to observe a
holiday but to honor the memories Of
the soldier dead. The Immortality Of
our free institutions makes America
home for the oppressed Of all lands
where the most lOwly can look for free
dom and liberty.
Jas. II. Eckels delivered short adj
dress, exceedingly appropriate to the
day of the dead. He said, In sub
stance, that now that the war was
over, and that so many brave men had
fallen upon both sides, it was the part
of the people to bury sectional hatred.
The war, as an issue between sections,
should be but a memory, not an active
factor Of social and political life. The
good Of the people Of the United States
demanded that the issues OF the war
be buried, and all good and loyal citi-
zens should discOuntenance agitation
of sectional feeling. The celebration
Of Decoration Day should have in
view, not only the reverencing Of the
memory OF the dead, but also the cul-
tivatiOn among young and old Of good
citizenship and the doctrines which
tend to make good citizens of Young
and old
The school chorus song Marching
Through Georgia.
The necrologist's report prepared by
COmrade M. Hanifen showed five
deaths during the past year as follows
John McNulty, Co. X, sd Illinois
infantry.
Charles Scales, Battery G, lst Illinois
artillery.
Thomas Cooper, U. S. navy, on gun
boat Sampson"
William McCumber, Co. c, Illinois
cavalry.
John Dillon, unknown soldier.
The singing of "America;" by the
chorus, closed the exercises.