Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-05-30

Gen. Schmitt, Chief Marshal, and Charles Stod-
durd, Aide, mounted.
Bile ler's Band, II pieces
Rodman Rifles under command of Capt W. T.
Channon.
SOrs OF Veterans, of Reynolds. and John Morris
Camp, uLd.r comm ana of capt. j. H. LADDERS.
Church's Mart AZ Band.
BIford Post, Il. A. r.
Rock sand FirU Department.
The Memorial services
AT THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT
in court house square were necessarily
somewhat shortened on account of the
rain, which continued to fall during al
most the entire time of The exercises. The
mon ument was profusely decorated with
flags ard flowers, as was also the speak
ers' stand. 4 large number of prominent
citizens ana old soldiers sat upon the
platform, and the assemblsge was first
addressed by Maj. H. c. Connolly, who
spoke as follows:
Again Men orisl day is with US. Again
We have asse nbled TO do honor to the
memory OF our heroic dead. Again we
come 70 strew flowers over the graves of
cur departed comrades.
This custom is peculiar to us as PEG:
plo No other nation has ever he'd a
fixed day 10 annually commemorate the
Geath Of those who died for their coun-
| try This is justice to our dead soldiers,
| The living OF s have some enemies but
! he great mess of the pee pie is with them.
| No matter VINO he is or where he comes
from the men who tavoEs a tax on in
comes by congress to pay pensions is
| mi
rising generations it is right. 1t will
| teach those who come after US, should
occasion require it, to spring TO the res
cue of their coun,rY's honor. 1t will tell
them tina grateful people
VII always honor their memory.
In the annals Of the world no greater
devotion to country has ever been shown
than that exhibited by the sons OF the re-
public IN our late trouble. Dat o. 2O,>
| coo COO of people 100000 rallied
around he cid flag with the warmest de-
votiOn. And what splendid fighting they
did! We hid four long years Of fighting
For stubborn resistance, for splendid
courage and for thrilling incidents the
world has no parallel. Over 1000 battles
and skumishes were fought. Oae half
million Of pstriOts lost their lives. More
than 100000 died from shot and
shell; over 200 600 died in hosti i
tails and $4,000 mole ijcaarged
from wcur DIS and disease, death soon
striking half of them. In rebel prisons
were sacrificed 10000 OF our brothers.
This is Why emorial Mday is hal>
lowed. Mary of the great wars OF
other nations were waged for spolis,
and TO advance the interests Of their
rulers Ours was fought for the purest
love of country. Peace TO the memo
~ of our departed heroes!
At the conclusion of sMaj. Connolly s
remarks male q1artette composed OF
Prof. Griffith, sewall Dodge, Prof Bishop
and Frank Robinson rendered some
vocal music after which there was prayer
by Rev. J. Il. Kerr, and after some more
vocal music by the quartette Prof. Bar
tholomew delivered an able address. lie
began by speaking of the love Of the
American people for their fallen heroes,
and of the beautiful custom of decora-
ting the graves of those who lost their
lives in license of their country He
spoke briefy of the vicssitude and prlvaN
tions that he soldiers encountered on
southern bs tlefelds and in glowing words
praised them for their deeds OF daring
The speaker conteuded that it was not
. factioral fight, but struggle for grand
and noble principle. He closed his re-
marks by pronouncing fitting eulogy on
the soldier dead. After the speaker
, had finished, the Grand Army ritualistic
service was conducted at the monument
by Chaplain Ransom of Buford post, which
closed the exercises there.
ON The ISLAND.
The ceremonies at the national GENE
terg on the islend this afternoon were
conducted by Graham Post, of Moline, 6
large number OF veterans and others from
this city and Davenport participating
NJ. R. Metzgar, of Moline acted as mar.
shall of the day. The programme of ser
vices was as follows:
+ Calling assemblage to order by president of tn
: Reading Of general orders by W. C. Bennett
Il adjutant pro EN-.
q Mus by L ght Guard band.
n Praye--Rev. j. NJ. Mcknight
10 Music by choir.
gI Orntion-Rsv. S. L. Guthrie.
Music-BaId.
r Dirge-Band, soldiers forming in cemetery an,
children taking positions at the graves
Ritual serv ces conducted by the commander
and oficcrs o. Graham post
Firing salue.