Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-30
TO MEMORY DEAR.
Solemn Tributes TO Our Soldie,
Dead.
WHO PERI>HsD FOR FREEDOM.
Memorial Observances ut the County
soldiers NOnument-The Process.
sion and EXercises-Atthe G.me
feries-CO the Island.

observances, its tributes of love, fraternity
and patriotism has come, and has wit,
nesstd with renewed ardor and devotion
the memory of the silent soldier of the
civil strife revered. While each recurring
year finds the ranks of the Grand ARMY
of the Republic which lives to pay this
proper tribute, lessening and more to be
remembered in the city of the dead, the
patriotic and enthusiastic love of those
who remain does not diminish as they are
brought nearer to the day when they too
shall be numbered among those over
whose graves the nation will ever bend
in fearful memory.
AT THE MONUMENT
The customary exercises were held at
the Rock Island county soldiers monu-
ment in court house square this morning,
under the auspices of Buford post 243,
G. A. R. The various organizations
participating were formed into a column
at Spencersqusre by J. Alex Montgomery,
marshal of the day, and headed by a
platoon of police under command of
Marshal Miller, followed by the drum
corps. marched down Second avenue TO
Court House square. The Sons of Vet.
Grams were in command of Capt. J. q.
Lidders, and the veterans of Commander
Wilcher, of Buford post. The city off,
GERS were also in the line.
The services at the monument were
opened at $50 o'clock with prayer by
Rev. W. S Marquis, followed by a song
by the male chorus led by Prof Hart
seugh, Peace to the Brave"
THE GRAFTON OF THE DAY
was then delivered BY Rev. Wellington
Frzzell, of Braidwood, Iii and in his
youth resident of this city. We are
here today as Americans by birth, said
Mr.. Fnzzell. and Americans by adoption.
and fathers, sons, bothers, wives, mothers
and daughters, at this stone of memorial
TO look back through the gathering mist
of years and remember the men who led
US through the wilderness of blood across
the Jordan Of separation to the land of
liberty and peace.
This is Memorial day, day of memory,
and this service is in memory of the boys
in blue-ln memory of those whose love
for US was greater than the love of masses
for the children of Israel, or of Jonathan
for David, in memery of those brave men
who marched under our flag, and who
fell shedding their blood for the cause of
liberty, and who died that the stars Of
beauty and stripes of glory might forever
wave over this land of the free AID the
| homes of the brave. We have gathered
| here in the fullness of springtime season,
as lovers of liberty and loyalty and devo-
| ton and courage, met here to honor the
men who wrought the work of our coun-
| try AVIATION. met here with hearts beat
| ing with pulsations Of affection for the
brave soldier boys in blue, met here to
thank God for creating so great and
grand and noble man as the American
soldier. We have gathered to take a re-
Prospective view of few pictures Of oul
nations history. This is day of retro.
spection. And as we look over some
wears of tears and triumphs of weeping
! and rejoicing, as we view the WORK OF oul
heroes, let US gather inspiration for the
future before US. From ages immemor'
ial, even since the first born century o.
Time tarted on his long journey to eter
nity, men have delighted TO visit the grave!
Of their heroes. But not &
the Mansoleum in Paris, where rest tbs
remains Of Napoleon the Great, nor TO thu
MaDger creek where the Iron Duke wa
buried, nor to the tOmbs OF England
kings, does the freedOm-loving, hero
worshippipg pilgrim of earth 60 witt
half the affection and devotion as thOs
who bow this day al the graves of III
bows in blue and cover them over wit
Gods beautiful flowers.
We are proud nation. 1t is right W
should be proud for we have sometbin
to be proud of. We have glorious his
tory, and thank God for it. We ar
proud of our heroes. of our soldiers. G
the courage and bravery of the men VIII
unsheathed their swords for freedom an
in defense of the right; and this day Q
sad vet sweet memory is day OF weep
ing, vet out tears glisten with gratitud
for we weep over the graves OF men an
DOT of weakllngs, OF solulers anu hot
fswning supplisnts, of heroes and not
traitors. What nation had such heroes
We are the only nation that could CIV
birth to Logan, the eagle-eyed genera
TO Sheridan, the little giant; to Sherman
the man who plowed his way through III
blood stained soil of the south; and
Grant, the man of invincible courage an
splendid victories.
There's an instinct in man which TO
bids his full appreciation of any gift III
less he knows its cost.
If you want to inculcate the lessons
patriotism, if you want the citizen OF u
future to love the institutions under whie
he lives, if you want him to apprecla
the value and responsibility of citizel
shin. he must know what it has cost,
must be taught the story of our nation
birth, he must know what perils su
: rounded its cradle. what foes it conquert