The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-06-02
THE HONORED DEAD.
Memorial Day Fittingly Observed
by the Citizens of Prince
ton and Vicinity.

A Fine Grafton by Hon. M. u.
Countryman, Of ST.
| Memorial Day was more generally
observed in Princeton this year than
ever before. Foreston, Milaca, Spen-
Ger Brook and the adjoining towns
were all well represented here Mon
day. At least 1900 people were pres
ent at the fair grounds and partici-
pated in the ceremonies. At 1870 p.
M. the veterans to the number of so or
more formed in line in front of their
hall and headed by Ross jones' drum
corps were assigned the position Of
honor; the Sons of Veterans, hand
somely uniformed and equipped, 20
strong, came next; then followed the
w. r. c., the L. A. S., and long
line of school children burdened with
sweet-smelling flowers; hundreds of
citizens on foot and in carriages brought
up the rear. Before the procession
reached the grounds every seat in the
grand stand was occupied, mostly by
ladies and children. Capt. Flo. Annis,
of the Sons of Veterans, acted as mas
ter of ceremonies, and performed the
duties in a manner highly creditable to
himself.
The exercises commenced with sing
ing by the choir-''Red, White and
Blue.'' Prayer by Rev. Vim. skemp.
o--''Faded Flowers" by Mrs. Bur-.
gan. Quotations from Ingersoll, Sher-
man and Sumner, by Chas. Harmon,
Chas. Nokes and Ernest Brady. The
latter is an orator in embryo). s'Our
Tributes,'' by Myrtle Love. Nations
Flags" by the schools. Singing by
the choir, s'Lay Him Low" Short
address by Rev sskemp. Grafton, by
Hon. M. Z. Country Singing by
the choir, freedoms Banner Miss
Myrtle Love presided at the organ.
All the participants acquitted them
selves we'll. After the conclusion of
the exercises at the grounds, the pro-
cession reformed and marched to Oak
Knoll cemetery, where the grave of
every sleeping soldier was strewn
with flowers.
THE GRAFTON.
Hon. M. L. Countryman and wife, of
st. Paul, arrived on the o'clock train.
They were Immediately driven to the
fair grounds. Capt. Annis introduced
Mr.. Countryman, a leading member
OF the order of Sons of Veterans in the
Sanity City. The wind was blowing a
stiff breeze, and the speaker although
eloquent and forcible, was placed at
decided disadvantage. But he com
manded the close attention of every
one within hearing of his voice, and at
the conclusion of his address was heart
lily applauded. Lack Of time and space
prevents us from giving verbatim re-
port of the speech. Mr.. Countryman
prefaced his remarks by quoting a
verse from Scott reathes there a
man with soul SO dead, etc. and spoke
substantially as follows:
There is no theme so well calculated
to inspire eloquence in public speaker
as that of patriotism. Patriotism is a
theme for the noblest inspirition. In
all ages of the civilized world, where
ever men have have been joined to-
gether in a common government, an
unselfsh devotion to the interests of
the State has been deemed the highest
virtue. OF this virtue, bards have sung
and historians have written. The Ian
guage of eulogy has been exhausted in
sounding the praise Of patriots. In all
ages, upon their brow has rested the
laurel; over their tombs has lowered
the monumental shaft; in the great
roll Of honor, where the name of no
coward or traitor can be found, their
names have been written in letters Of
living light; and in the hearts of their
! grateful countrymen their memory is
perpetually preserved.
In times past, men have suffered
death as martyrs to religious faith,
whom all the ingenuity of savage tor
! ture could not daunt and the world
has forgotten them. But never, through
all the vicissitudes Of the ages, has it
forgotten the man-be he Of high or
low degree, patrician or plebeianwho
i gave his own life to save his country,
in the hour of her peril.
/ The Saviour Of mankind said:
Greater love hath no man than this,
that q man lay down his life for his