Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-10-17


outward show and conventiopality, are
worth more to our nation than all It, mere
cunning, self-seelxing politicians, It's poll
tical theorists, or Its plutocrats. In war
and peace these qualities lie at the foun.
dation of all true character. A nation not
only needs such men but they are indis-
pensable to it, In times of peril il may
perish without them.
1t is not improper at this time to call at
tention to the baneful influ enees and prac-
tices which lower our national standard
and, unchecked, threaten disaster. En-
crossed in the cares of business and la
borous occupations, men seem inattentive
TO the requirements of citizenship, but
they do not consciously and wilfully shirlS
Its duties and responsibilities, when they
arc clearly seen and fully understood.
They may be slow TO act, but when danger
becomes iminent they will assert them
selves again as they have in the past.
They will not allow the public to perish
from neglect. The sentiment of patriot
ism Is still strong in the people. 1t is
neither dead nor short-lived. II grows
and strengthens with honest appeals TO It,
and 1t may be appealed TO with confidence
for the vindication of good measures. 1t
increases with every draft that is made
upon it, and while it may become
silent through neglect, it does not
cease to exist. Its voice may be
! d
be drowned by the noiser tongues of greed
md selishness, but it will be heard again.
1t patiently submits TO many aifronts, and
quietly endures many indignities. But in
its temporary silence, IL gathers an ac.
cumulation of energy, and when the limit
of it's endurance has been reached, its
commanding voice breaks forth on the
startled air. trumpet-tongued, and against
Its mighty tones no other voice dares lift
itself 1t was so when our last war swept
over the land. The spirit of patriotism
which was then reused from an apparent
slumber became dominant and pervasive.
1t extended everywhere, and touched
everybody 1t reigned supreme. The
ordinary interests of men were subordi-
mated to it. The war did not create it,
but reused IL into action, gave il direction,
and furnished scope an opportunity for
the assertion of itself. In our armies, and
behind them, it was a moral force of trc-
mendous energy urging them forward and
onward until the supremacy of our cause
was finally established.
Our country was settled by men who
sought land which they might love as their
own, and pledged their lives and fortunes
for the maintenance of its institutions
Our republic was founded in the patriotism
of the people, and their love of country
was strengthened by the struggle dor
its defense against foreign aggression. The
revolutionary war was test of the popu-
lar patriotism which had been previously
implanted, rather than "A development of
it. The patriotism which was ablaze in
the speeches of Adams and Otis, and in
the intrepid conduct of Warren, was a
steady and fervent heat in the bosoms of
thousands whose names are unknown to
history. As people we have inherited
the patriotism of our revolutionary
sires, and the inheritance has
nN hn.. H.. n 4
Because it Is voiceless among the busy
multitude, In the marts, on the farms and
In the workshops, we must not think IL has
ceased to exist, for these were the sources i
from which our patriotic armies were
filed. 1t is not the noisy and blatant sort
of patriotism that finds an easy outlet on
the rostrums that is the staunchest and
best, 1t is stronger and more self deny
Ing passion.
The vast majority of the people are pat.
riotic and sound to the core. In them is
our main stay and chief dependence. Our
confidence in their steady and unfalterine
love of country, which is indifferent about
any show of itself, and speaks only in its
acts, will never be misplaced. 1t was this
sort of patriotism that was personified in
Grant.
At the conclusion of the exercises
the participants in the parade reformed
and marched back to the city. Tonight
the twenty-third annual reunion of the
society of the Army of the Tennessee
will open with imposing exercises at
the Auditorium.
A few days after the death of Gen
eral Grant number of prominent cit.
liens met at the Palmer house at the
invitation of Potter Palmer to discuss
the adyisability of erecting a statue &c
the honor of the ex-president. Ter
thousand dollars were subscribed op
the spot, and today's event is the
elimination of that meeting Money
flowed in freely in large and small
amounts, the newspapers of the city
themselves raising over S30,O00 The
total cost of the monument has beep
in the neighborhood of 5000, 000 1t is
an equestrian statue, the largest
bronze ever cast in America. The body
of the horse is five feet high, twelve
feet long and three feet in breadth.
Over the body is a heavy saddle, the
army saddle cloth with stars in the
corners, while two holsters for the pis.
tolls are on each side, and tightly
rolled blanket is just behind the sad.
die. The general is 81 ting up.
right, his slouch hat well forward on
his head and his feet encased in army
boots with heavy spurs are fast in the
stirrups. The bronze rests upon a stone
pedestal with elevated driveway,
arched passage, vestioule and stair
way.