The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-06-04
Address by Mrs. Chas. kettles0n OF the
WOman's Relief Corps.
Delivered at the Cresco Memorial
0or~,;nou Mo-, ~ 1901

Delivered at the Cresco Memorial
Services, May 30, 1891.
We gather here to-day as loyal citizens
OF America for the purpose Of showing
honor to our loyal heroes that sleep be-
meath the turf. We all honor and love
the memory of those brave men who left
all that was near and dear to them thirty
years ago and marched away in their
youth, vigor, and manhood, because their
country was in danger. Oh, how bravely
did they battle for the neighbour beau
tiful and our beloved country speaks for
itself.
To-day rs We meet and stand around
all that remains Of these, our departed
soldiers, my thoughts Fly back to the
years OF 81 and go, and although but q
child, how wildly remember all OF those
pangs Of parting AZ we babe adleu to our
brothers and fathers and all OF those 60
dear to us. That parting was terrible!
We wept until We could weep no more,
and then, our hearts went out in prayer
to that just God, beseeching him to watch
over and protect our loved ones. But of
the anguish and suspense and dread and
sorrow OF those dark and gloomy days,
we will pass over as quickly as possible
until IS when our boys were coming
home again. Words are not sufficient to
describe our JOY; but, as we met them and
were thankful and happy for their return,
there was still an aching void, for some
OF our best and bravest boys did not
come back. And when our boys came
home in triumph with the laurels they
had gained, then We looked for their re-
turning, but we looked for them in vain.
And today as we meet and strew flowers
DER the graves Of those that sleep within,
we cannot, nor would we il we could, but
remember those who sleep far away IN
the sunny South and let us hope and
pray that God in his watchful care will
send the sunshine and showers and cause
the most beautiful and fragrant flowers to
blossom in profusion DER them and mark
their last resting place. We know that, al
though our brave boys are sleeping far
apart, their spirits are united, and to. day
they are as one vast army OF angels prals-
ing their Savior, night and day, as they
march around that beautiful throne OF
God and listen to the msuic that is
sweeter than Imagination can conceive,
praising him for that crown that he went
to prepare for all those that love him and
keep his commandments. We leave
them with him, knowing that he doeth
all things well, and will reward them far
above all they deserve, for he is Just
and holy judge.
Now turn our thoughts for q few mo-
ments to our dear old boys who are still
numbered with the living, and we will
not need words of praise to be imprinted
upon their tombstones, but will show
them, by word and act, while they are
still with us, that we do honor and ap-
preciate them and are proud to be called
q soldiers wife. Yes, dear old soldiers,
We honor you, and my most earnest
prayers are, that each and all OF you are
still battling for the right, and that when
You laid down your arms after conquer
ing your earthly foe, you buckled
up your armor and put on all OF the i'm
PIGMENTS OF honor and truth that your
names might always be worthy OF honor.
Dear old soldiers, when you were coming
home, although You were coming, some
OF you famed, and most Of you manned
for life, still how happy you were at the
thought, and how joyfully and patiently
you waited for that discharge that would
say to you, well done, good and faithful
soldiers, 60 home! It was between twen-
ty-five and twenty-si years age that you
received that discharge Perhaps some
of you will say, Hold on; it cannot be
that length OF time" But yes, it is.
Time flies quickly, and it will be but a
few short years before you will receive
your last and final discharge. Perhaps
God is now preparing them for some of
you. We know it will not be a great
while, at least. And are you ready? Are
Your hearts SO pure, have You fought
life's battle SO bravely that you can see
through the mist and that thin lnteryen-
ing and see that crown that the angels
stand ready with for you? Are you wait
ing as joyously for that summons, "cone
home" and that last discharge as you
did your first? And you will go there
well--perfectly whole; and there will be
no more pain, no more battling against
sin; but all will be peace and beauty
there; and, dear old soldiers, If there is
one OF you to-day, in all our proud land,
who does not feel that he is ready aud
joyfully waiting for that crown, come
quickly and enlist in that good cause;
join that heavenly band to-day. Say
now, God, l am coming. Say SO in earn
est; pray for strength to conquer; ask
your Savior to help you. @, do come
quickly; come at once, for in a few short
years We shall gather round your graves,
and it We are not spared, your children
will meet and strew flowers, as we have
strewn them to-day.
Then let your lives, acts and words be
SO pure that in their faith they can look
far above their sorrows and see you mar
shalled with that vast army OF angels,
with q crown on your head and harp in
your hand, waiting and watching for