The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-05-27
AN ANNUAL TRIBUTE
Father AllaeyS' Interesting Address
to the G. A. R. Veterans.
INSPIRING AND EARNEST
To the Memory OF the Fallen
Heroes Beautiful Eulogies Are
Spoken - Tender Words of
Father Moran at ST. PauI's.

dience which assembled to attend the
memorial service in honor of the men,
bers of the G.. A. r. and their comrades
In arms. The old soldiers had seats in
the front rows of the church. The Ser
mon by Rev. Father Allaeys was an
course and ii is given below entire.
He read:
Commander and members of the
Meade Post of the Grand Army of the
Republic: All genuine virtues origin
ate from, and are reducible to God.
He is the maker of us all. the founder
of the family, the providence of ma
tions, and is also called the God of ar
mics. 1t was in the name of God that
the leader of his chosen people, Judas
Machabee, called upon those who
would defend their country; and after
the battle was fought, he called once
more the surviving brethren together;
full of gratitude and with a revived
patriotism they sent to heaven thanks
for the victory that was won, and
prayers for the soldiers that were
slain.
Identical feelings, my friends, gather
to-day your depleted files in this house
of the Lord; gratitude toward the God
of armies, devotion to the brethren
that are no more. renewed attachment
to the soil fructified by their blood, and
sincere love for the country united and
freed by the sacrifice OF their lives as
well as by the exertion of your heroic
and undaunted courage.
The love of ones country is a natural
endowment of the human soul How
little worthy of love and affection
such spot of the earth may appear in
our appreciation, people will with COM
placency carry their thoughts back to
the scenes of their childhood; they will
long for the cherished field of their
activity. for the soil and surroundings
he
mind and filled the wishes of their
heart. Inhabitants of the frigid North
Will linger amidst the luxuriant
beauties of the sunny South. A miner
by trade and by heart, as there
might be many amongst my honorable
audience, will renounce the security
and comforts of country life for his
dangerous pursuits in the bowels of the
earth. The poet tells us of the fare
well ceremony of a Russian father to
his exiled son. Bidding him a last
and alas! perhaps an eternal goodbye
he hangs around his neck a pocket full
OF ntive soil: and with broken
heart and a fearful voice he recon-
mends to him. If my son, death ever
ends thy miserable existence in Sibe-
ria, ask thy unfortunate companions
10 bury this parcel of sacred soil I'M
derneath thy own remains it will be a.
consolation to us all. that at least our
son rests on the land dear to our
hearts" There is in truth love that
saddens the heart when the object of
love is one TO be compassionated. 1
beg your pardon, my friends, for offer
ing first that sad picture to your
mind; but the shadow will enhance the
bright side of the whole picture.
There Is also love without any bitter
mixture, love that inflames our heart,
eleVates our soul, inspires the noblest
feelings and the most heroic actions
Such love, dear brethren of the Grand
Army has filled your hearts with noble
and patriotic aspirations, directed your
path through the dangers and horrors
or war, led your squadrons up to victo-
ry, or to a glorious death; such love
still swells your bosom, and claim a
greater expansion and manifestation
to-day. 1 mean the love and affection
Of our great and glorious country, the
veneration and regret of her martyred
sons.
America, one of the latest children in
the family Of nations, one of the latest
products Of civilization, stands at pres
ent as Its masterpiece on the face of
the earth. Children of the most dis
tant shores, and the most energetic of
them, have gathered inside of her bor-
ders, combining their energies, their
brains and the longings of their hearts.
AS result of their manly exertions we
enjoy the benefits of order and peace.
OF enlightment and abundance. Amer
leans to-day have no masters nor
equals. In a short space of time they
have grown to be the leaders and mod
els OF all the civilized nations. They
accomplish in a year the work of a for
mer century. Our country is now the
jewel for which many have given I'D
their right and joys of birth, with pride
and without regret This enviable con-
dition of our dear country is indeed the
result of her valiant sons endeavoring:
w no
result, also, OF the wise principles laid
down by the fathers of the republic;
principles wise and dear, for their de-
tense and UNFOLDING has cost the
purest blood of her children. Those
principles were inspired by a profound
sense of justice towards God and to- /
wards men. Religion and equality of
human rights and liberties are the
touching stone of the American char
acter and social life. Time lust now
does not allow of developing each of
so many important points
Therefore God has blessed and
blesses this our land of justice and
liberty. His blessings will rest upon
US, as upon his chosen people of old, as
long as we conform our life, private
and public, to his law; for he is our
creator. he is the ruler and providence
Of individuals and nations. Passing
success may attend sinful PROCEEDINGS;
ruin and downfall of those who have
abandoned the ways of the Lord. 4
But after God, after the fathers of
our country. it is a duty of justice and
gratitude to give praise and thanks to
the heroic defenders Of our nations
iperties ana our country's unity, which
make out her strength and majesty
Nhlch saved the honor and integrity of
OLD Glory" Great were the sacrifices
which the war in defense of the coun-
Try demanded. but great are the ham
py fruits. Asa great patriot said. those
'acrlhces Were yours. and the fruits
IF imperturbable peace and ,Inity 81
'Xuberant expansion and prosperitv |
you literally share with your country,
men. Therefore, honor and thanks a
1lissful eve Of a deserving life" Sucb
5 our homage to the members Of tbe !
irand Army Of the Republic! Peace |
n the Lord. is our prayer for the souls | :
II The slain nd laL..a /