Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-05-31

Champlin Memortal Monument fret-
tiiy Dedicated

ally Dedicated
The attractive feature u The after
noon was the unwilling Of Champlin
Memorial monument In Greenwood eeIn-
etery at 3 o'clock. Fully 500 persons
assembled on the knobs which rear their
hezds in this cemetery in the vicinity of
the simple shaft Of granite and Wit
messed the pretty. but impressive. cere-
mony Of the unwilling. Innes Rif'es
were present and fired the salute over the
monument On hill opposite the shaft
q temporary stand vas erected Mayor
Stuart and Ia q. Rutherford, speakers
Of the day. were seated on the platform.
and with them were Judge Adsit. &. r.
Belknap and others After the services
at the monument closed. Mayor Stuart
spoke ~ follows:
The occasion which calls us together
here today il most praiseworthy one.
and well calculated TO arouse all the
better impulses of our nature. The
heart swells with unwonted emotion
when We remember the brave boys
whose constant yalor has sustained on
the field Of battle the cause 81 our
country. Of civilization. and 81 liberty.
Champlin Post No. ~ Of the q. A. r..
10 emphasize their affection and high
regard for their dead comrades quietly
sleeping la this peaceful cemetery. have
reared this simple and beautiful shaft
Of granite to stand for ages as silent
sen tinel To keep constant virgil over this
sacred spot, and as constant reminder
to all parsers bv Of the part their loved
ones took in the great conflict for the
preservation Of the Union.
T.h,s "a ,x,aaf and rtght nd tba prnpar
thing to do. We can do no more for our
dearest friends and relatives. We
ought 10 do no less for these defenders
Of our country.
An Enduring Monument.
But. my fellow citizens. although the
granite Of this shaft is symbolical Of
everlasting endurance. yet the deeds We
commemorate and the exercises con-
nected with the celebration Of this day.
aud the flowers which will be placed
upon these graves, from age To age. is a
more enduring monument than granite
or brass. for I'VE know indeed that the
record Of illustrious actions is most safe
ly deposited in the universal remem-
brance Of mankind" and when this
monument shall have crumbled into
dust. and the place that now knows it
shall know il no more forever. this day.
may we hope, shall be celebrated. and
the deeds we commemorate he known OF
all men, and mo monument To our dead
heroes. though heaven sweeping in
granduer. though bearing the impress Of
genius and carved with the chisel Of in
spiration itself could 10 simply. so ef-
fectually. 90 sublimely keep them in
memory an does this solemn festival. at
which all the emotions Of the human
heart are swept by undying memory
We are indebted to the Grand Army
Of the Republic for appointing and
making this day what il ia and what l
trust il will be, and this country owes to
that organization moro than any of us
realize On appreciate. for the patriotism
and love OF country that the celebra-
tons Of this day viii inspire, not only in
/ the present generation, but in the gener-
ations yet to come.
Rich Tributes.
The literature they produce is rich
with the tributes of gratitude. admira-
ton and love paid 10 the great and hon
ored dead. These tributes disclose the
| character OF the nation, our ideals Of the
/ human race.
How poor this world would be without
it's graves. without the memories Of its
mighty dead. Only the voiceless speak
/ forever.
I'VE are peculiarly fortunate in hav-
/ ing with ue yet. on these occasions. to
give point and deeper significance to
these exercises. those who have been
active participants in the great and
string events that give this day and
this monument a reality. May we all
truly appreciate your presence and may
the father OF all mercies smile upon your
declining years and bless them with
abundant prosperity and happiness.
L. G.. Rutherford spoke at length. He
was greeted with applause as he stepped
10 the front OF the platform and was in
terrupted several times by applause
One OF the pretty parts Of the ceremony
was the singing 81 the national airs by a
I company IL young girls.