Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-06-06
MEMORIAL DAY.
How It Was Observed in the Phone,
City of the Hills.
A Suitable Programme. Embracing q W
riety Of Features Appropriate to
The Occasion, Faithfully
Carried Out. &

| ne elaDOThte programme prtpdfcu
by committee appointed by Gen.
Steele Grand Army Post, for the obsery-
ance of the nations grandest holiday,
was faithfully carried out on Saturday
rhe occasion was one which will be re-
membered by all in attendance, as pne
in which exceptional interest was nian-
ifested. The weather was exceedingly
pleasant, and at an early hou. the III
was fttingly decorated with countless
flags, kissing the breeze from every
housetop, surcharging the very atmos-
phere with patriotic incense which
left its sacred impress upon every senti-
mental heart.
The procession formed at the Post
Hall on Custer Avenue at 1870 p. m. and
marched to the court house in the fol-
ing order: Custer Cornet Band, Tin City
Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Gen. Steele
Grand Army Post, Woman's Relief
Corps. citizens in carriages, citizens on
horseback, footmen, etc.
The exercises, for which arrange
ments had been duly made. commenced
at . o'clock, opening with an appropri-
ate address by Commander Alfred John
son, of the post, followed by prayer by
Chaplain james Lunger. Harry X
Hitchcock, son of Postmaster Hitchcock,
Of this city, young man of marked abil-
ity, and rare intellectual attainments,
delivered an able and appropriate ad-
dress, the full text Of which is reproduc-
ed below upon the grounds of its special
merits Other able addresses followed
by Revs. Willis, Ulmer and Mckee, Of
which extended mention is precluded
by reason of lack of space. A recita-
ton by Miss Sadie Ulmer. "But What
did the privates do?" was exceptionally
well rendered, and left an impression
most favorable as to the little lady's
taste in its selection, and her ability TO
render it perfectly.
An appropriate song by Miss Mauds
Cottrell, was pleasing feature of the oc-
cassion. as was the recitation by Master
Willis. The Custer cornet band and the
Custer church choirs, furnished excel
lent music for the occasion, which was
duly appreciated.
After the close of the exercises at the
hall, the Grand Army post, accompanies,
by laIge number of citizens proccouF
| TO the cemetery Where the graves 5f-esaf
parted comrades were appropriately dec
Grated in accordance with the form of
the Grand Army.
Taken in all its varied features, the
occasion may be said to have been the
most interesting demonstration of like
character eyer Witnessed in tiiis place.
| MEMORIAL ADDRESS.
Following is the full text Of the men,
orial address delivered by Harry X.
Hitchcock, of this place, at the court
house in this city on the occasion Of tie
celebration of Memorial Day, on satur-
day the 30th ult:
| LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FELLOW
| CITIZENS, MEMBERS OF THE GRAND
ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC: Never will
there come to you and a more sacred
duty than that which devolves upon us
as we gather here this afternoon, to
pass a little W lille in the commemora-
tion of the lives and deeds of our nation s
dead.
A duty it is, lightened by love, soft
ened by the tenderness of sad memory,
and one that would be pleasure were
it not for the tears that dim our eyes,
and the sadness that pulsates our hearts,
as on this anniversary we pause in
silent thought and retrospection OF
years long gone.
No word of mine, no deed OF yours,
no soulful anthem or sweet ballad, can
add to the glory and noble fame of the
brave boys who fought, and bled and
died for their country, for our flag and
the peace and more perfect liberty we
enjoy. History has crowned them.
The fruits of their valor are their mon
umenss, and We meet to-day not to laud,
not to eulogize, or pronounce emconi-
ums of feeble words, but more to re-
we're, to honor In silence, and with
these offerings of purity and exquis
ite beauty, express the love and graf
itude that ever dwells within us.
1t was fine sense Of the peculiar
fitness of things that led to the selec-
tion of day in the fairest month OF all
the seasons for this occasion, and which
moves MS this afternoon, as well as in
years past, to offer as our tribute to the
heroes dead the emblems of new glad
life, the sweet flowers Of perfectsprine
time.
4 1t is meet that one day in each twelve
month should be devoted and conse.
Grated to this purpose; that for few
hours we should lay aside the mantle Of
care, forget the tasks and trials Of a
hurried and crowded existence, and with
this little band, who survived the perils
of a bloody strife, turn back the pages
of the cycle of time, and think and
speak Of their fallen comrades who, in
the hour of their country's need, with
brave hearts and steady tread, marched
forth at duty's call, and without falter,
ing laid down their lives, and etfaced
with the clear warm blood of Gods
: mobility the stain that traitor hands
, had left upon our nations escutcheon
, We owe them this, we owe them infi
nitely more, and the very simplicity
and solemnity of this ceremony is tes
> timonial Of our recognition of the fac
that we can never pay the debt; tha'
we never can give them the honor due
: except in the unyoiced sentiments o
our grateful hearts. T
We call this holiday. 1t is, lans
a lyet it is not. An occasion it is tha
awakens TO new life the deepest, tutes
sentiments of our immortal souls, n3ng
> ling with JOY and gladness, the p}pg
: Of grief and pain that time can 81 ter
but not entirely remove. The Hur
!. spent in thought, such thoughtsN
i throng our minds this afternoon, briny
! us to better realization Of our inpnm
cradle blessings. and more sespecbll,
: the blessings, which those whom ~
! honor now, perpetuated 10 us--cot a
and home, peace and plenty. I4kr&(