The Columbus journal., 1894-06-06
Decoration OaY.

/ COU1O 80 W15ueU, anu Gu6 Ctly was W0l
filled with people before noon.
Promptly on time as though obeyin.
the order OF general in battle the ole
boys assembled at their hall and formet
in line Tor the procession, moving at
o'clock, with the Womanis Relief Corps
and Sons OF Veterans, preceded by tn,
Columbus Cornet Band. The compile
ted procession included the Firemer
and the Uniform Rank X. ofP
The main exercises we're held at the
0pera house AZ usual, the Commander
w. b Lewis, presiding. The invocation
was by Rev. Elwell, and the adjutant o
Baker Post G. A. R., 8. L. Mccoy, reat
the orders.
Rev. Elliott followed with feeling
address, which We have not space to re
produce,-as We would like to do. After
saying that kind providence had
spared rs another year, and that We
had come to decorate the last resting
place OF soldiers, firemen, friends and
kindred, but pre-eminently in honor ol
the defenders Of the country, he declared
that as nations have no existence be.
yond this world, they must receive their
reward or condemnation here and
should, as far as possible. render to
their subjects that recompense which
justice, honor and devotion demand.
Honor to whom honor is due, and these
representatives of ours now in the silent
tomb, yet speak in the living reality
which We enjoy in all this great and free
nation. The spirit that actuated them
was "Give me liberty, or give me death" :"
They stoOd between you and oppression;
they fought battles for you; maintained
your government and preserved your
free institutions.
The tribute paid to true worth must
express high appreciation, deep graft
tude and feevent devotion to principle
The remainder of the address was
mainly devoted to the idea that war is
not the main or proper occupation Of
nations, but comes Alright only as an
incident in the necessities of peace. We
are not warriors. We are a peace
loving people. We will not allow the
sword to govern us. Conquest is not
our ambition. Rome meant law; Greece,
culture; the Jewish nation was the de-
pository of a religion which should
bring to the world millennium glory;
America, though she has given the
world great warriors - Washington,
Scott, Grant and other noble worthless,
and much of culture, America, We be-
lieve, is the leader in the new era OF
civil and religious Iiberty-a liberty to
worship God according to the dictates
OF every mans conscience. This, our
home land, is an asylum where all shall
be free to praise and serve God untram-
meled by dictators. The inalienable
rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness are ours to enjoy and trans
nit. This has cost us much and will
yet require of us more. We are growing
wiser by experience. God grant We may
grow purer and stronger. God grant
that our sons and daughters may be
guarded against any enemy that may
arise, whether an open or secret foe;
that they will be alert to any plOttings
for the overthrow of this God instructed
republic, built on the divine element of
mans nature, consecrated in prayer and
cemented with the best blood of her
strongest sons.
Eternal vigilance is the price OF lib
erty." A slumbering nation is always
in danger. The picket line must be out
in time of peace.
Let intelligence, patriotism and relig-
ion govern until universal peace shall
come.
He then paid glowing tribute to the
emergency calls, and who count no risk
too great when the property and lives Of
their fellOw-citizens are endangered by
fire, and who, in the discharge Of duty
are sometimes caught by the devouring
flames, or, escaping cremation, survive
with blistered hands and faces, or
wounded bodies.
The school children always do their
duty on such occasions. and here their
work was highly appreciated. The song
"Peace to the Brave" by Miss Hoehen's
school; concert recitation, 'Decoration
Day THANKSGIVING Mrs. Scott's room;
Memorial Day." recitation by Ruby
Young; I'm the Battle" by Charles
Woosley; 'Marching Through Georgia"
sung by thirteen pupils OF the Third
ward school, followed the Grafton. The
Sons of Veterans Drum Corps played
appropriate music preceding the address
of Charles A. Brindley in honor of "the
unknown dead"
The salient sentiments of the address
we're that there is no class Of men whose
confidence and respect is more to be
priced than that of the soldiers who, in
tho great war from 81 to IS, upheld the
loved banner of our country and brought
it home in honor. Other things being
equal our soldiers are our most worthy
citizens, and II have no sympathy" he
said, "for any man who would have our
government deal sparingly with our
soldiers or their widows in their needs"
You veterans of the Civil war have
served yOnr country faithfully when she
most needed your services, and We honor
you for it. Neither are they less hon.
ored who shall bear through life the
marks of wounds and sufferings No
badge or epaulette is SO honorable as
wounds received in good cause.
Crowds give way to cripples, and un-
cover in the presence of feebleness and
helplessness. Children pause in their
noisy games, and honor those whose
hands can work no more and whose feet
are no longer able to march.
Mr.. Brindley paid a well-deserved
tribute to the private soldier, who, with
ont hope of reward and no other incen-
tive than a consciousness Of right, en-
countered hardships and suffered priva-
tions. Also to the women. angels of
peace and JOY, whether at home or on
battle fields and in hospitals, caring for
the wounded, sick and dying.
OF the two and half millions of men
who responded to the nations call, 300
600 gave up their lives that the nation
might live. In the seventy national
cemeteries, no soldiers grave will be
neglected today. In Arlington cemetery
alone there are 1900 of the soldier
dead, and 1900 of the unknown dead
whose whitened remains were gathered
by government officials from the battle
fields Of Virginia. We join in honoring
their memory.
The closing sentiment of the address
was in these words: "How bright are
| the honors which await those who with
fortitude and patience have endured
all things that they might save their
country from division and the power Of
corruption"
Recitation, Memorial Day." by ten
pupils of the First ward school; "The
Thousand and Thirty -seven," by Maude
Young; flags and song-"Star Spangled
Banner" by First ward school closed
the exercises at the opera house.