The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-06-01

In Memory of Brave Defenders.
Another Memorial Day has passed and
the citizens and old soldiers of'Owosso have
united again with others all over this country
an the patriotic work of doing honor to
the nations dead,
Wednesday morning commenced with
rain but this quickly passed and while look
ing threatening during the afternoon no
yrain fell to disturb the exercises The city
Ghad its patriotic coIors all out, great many
sOf the business places being decorated
The usual work of carrying flowers to the
scity hall and preparing everything for the
afternoon kept many busy in the forenoon
land friends and relatives of those who have
spassed away visited the cemetery with their
tributes OF flowers until the place seemed to
stiful appearance in the afternoon. But such
are parts of every Memorial day and are
features with which Americans are Justly
familiar
The procession formed on Park street,
marched north to Williams, then to WASH
ington and south to the cemetery headed by
the city band. Company followed max
ing fine appearance as usual on dress
occasions. Following the infantry and even
.gayer looking in their trim uniforms, white
helmets and red plumes came the uniformed
s-ank, X. of p, led by their captain, p. NJ.
Roth. The company made handsome
sight and the way they performed the
marching manouvres, which they did with a
gprecision not excelled by the military COM
lpany, shows that when the knights go to
Washington the coming August Owosso
need not be ashamed of her representatives.
'Colfax and Owosso lodges, l. o. o. +. were
next in line and were followed in turn by
the Foresters with large turn out. The
Arbeter society and the A. o. u. w. which
same next had also large numbers in their
ranks while following these the sModern
Woodmen made striking appearance with
their red axes. The G. A. r.. followed by
the S. of V. closed up the marching column,
the w. r. q. and speakers riding behind in
carriages. AT the foot of the hill at the GEM
retery the foremost societies drew up in line
TO let the post and corps pass through, salut-
ing them as they passed. A large number
of school children carrying flowers and led
10y w. A. Richardson also passed through
and up the hill, making very pretty APP
-pearance.
Attic speakers stand Hon. Josiah Tur-
Naer presided as president of the day and
following q selection by the band, prayer
was offered by Rev. E. b. Bancroft and
America was sung by the Glee Club.
The &. A. II. ritual was then carried out,
consisting of prayer, the reading of orders
;for.the observance of the day aud the salute
10 the dead.
President Turner then introduced the
orator of the day, Rev. James II. Potts, d.
3D., of the Michigan Christian Advocate.
The Grafton was scholarly address and
twas listened to with great interest despite
the fact that 1t was interrupted by two fire
alarms. We give a partial report OF the
address,:
There is hope for any nation when it
can pass through trials: there is hope fol-
our nation. There never has been or never
will be nation SO good but it will be put to
the test. Trials prove whether it brings
fsorth good fruit or not. This nation has
been through trials, it has been tested. it is
still being tested. 1t is still not through
with the erdeal. Serious questions demand
all the wisdom, courage, nobility and for
2 bearance it can command Some think
sanother> war is coming. l don't. Better
counsel will prevail. Wisdom will settle
these questions without war. War was the
scountry's greatest trial. If we cherish the
T1nemory of those who fought for this coun-
sery's freedom how much more shall we
cherish the memory of those who fought to
spreserve this country. More men were lost
I'm single battles of the rebellion than in
NEARLY the whole war of the revolution.
The war was terrible but it solved diff |
acult problems. 1t sometimes does take war |
TO solve problems but like an ancient war,
God was in it. Many thought the war |
would be ended In a few months. 1t would |
have been ended In few months but for |
the great questions it was to decide. Amer
lean freedom was one Of these questions. |
Some, especially foreigners coming to this
country, thought freedom meant license to |
do as one wished. 1t means freedom to do |
what is right, to improve lives, make them
happier and more useful, not to violate law
and break down the institutions of our |
fathers.
Some thought political freedom meant
estate rights, the sovereignty of the state
even the right to secede. The north be-
iieved the states enjoyed freedom but with
-out the right of secession. The south APP
speaIed to arms. The north, not cowardly, |
responded. Now the subject of state rights |
was aired; it was talked of everywhere. 1t |
was decided states had many rights but not /
rthe right to secede. 1t cost great deal to