Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1893-06-03
Our Decoration Day Services.

Are now all wearing gray.
Wearing the gray in whiteued locks;
With steady martial tread,
They follow ranks on mystic banks;
Go marching toward the dead,
Scatter the floral tributes there,
over the thick ming graves
On suu-1issed air, unstained and fair,
Our splendid banner waves.
Freedom grows well in our good soil,
Behold! it blooms ana thrves;
BY tears and blood its roots were wet.
Blood OF a million lives.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
This day set apart for hallowing
the memory Of the soldiers who fell
in the defense of their country, is
broadening in meaning and deepen
ing in significance year by year,
until the gratitude and loving re-
membrance of our people are dis
I played in q manner never before
known to civilization. Mineral
Point, to her credit, has fittingly
observed the day since its first
inception. This year the services
| (held last Tuesday, were of that
order which fully maintain our
reputation.
The weather was grand. Smiling
skies beamed down upon the veter-
ans and their assembled admirers,
as proof of heavens approval of
the patriotic spirit. The graves of
the sleeping heroes III our city
cemeteries received their benediction
of flowers from the hands of sur
yiving comrades. Services of high
merit were held at the Opera House
park in the afternoon. Citizens
turned out and were joined by
| good representation from the coun-
try from every direction. The band
opened the exercises by playing a
march down High street, and, not
withstandlng its music is always
tirst-class, it seemed to the ears of
the throng on the walks to be the
most delightful ever heard. The
first act on the platform erected in
the park was grand march by
forty school girls, wearing the red
white and blue and carrying flowers.
This was greatly enjoyed, and re-
tlected credit on the girls and their
careful trainers. These same girls
rendered well three patriotic vocal
selections during the exercises. Next.
came memorial services by officers
of Legate Post, and roll call of
comrades OH the further shore.
Each year shows fewer left on this.
A recitation by Miss Libbe Harris,
entitled "Old Farmer Browns
Dream," a very appropriate poem,
was rendered in a manner that drew
forth liberal praise from every
hearer, and it was merited. After
more music Rev. +. w. Straw
stepped to the front and delivered
an Grafton which will compare
fayorably with any given on like
occasion in Mineral Point. Ii was
! pathetic, mEthful, statistical, pat
nouc to the core, and eloque Mt.
What more wasnecessary? Nothing.
Everybody was exceedingly well
pleased with the reverend gentle
mans efforts. Comment is all in
his favor. He is heartily endorsed
by all loyal citiz us for his special
aim to impress upon the minds of
the rising generation the import
ance of this day, how much we owe
TO those who wore the blue in the
war Of that terrible rebellion, to.
gether with the blessings and
advancement in civilization which
have been inherited in consequence.
Education in patriotism is what
young America needs, and it wont
be a lick amiss TO some Of the older
ones who thirty years ago hid under
the band wagon. A nation that
reyerences its heroes and takes time
from the daily cares and impositions
of life to honor its patriotic de-
tenders in memorial ceremonies to
those long passed away is in no
immediate danger from foes within
and may be trusted to deal with
foes without.
( Your pledge to liberty and right renew
I Cover tnose graves Of our heroes so true;
/ Cover those graves, the old and the new.
! Think Of the sorrow they bore for you;