The Holt County sentinel., 1895-05-31
Flower Laden.

lead. -.
Memorial day of 1895 Is past, but its t
memory will long remain stamped upon
he minds OF our people. The oDserv.
,nce Of this day mas grown gradual year
after year, until it Is now one OF inc
most suspicious on the calendar. II g
may he doubted, indeed, whether there {
Is ;.ny other day, not excepting even
those which are cOnsecrated to religion, I
which is more impressive or more IN I
spring to our people. Ihere ID nohe
which excl es more OF what ID tenuer,
beautiful and lasting in the emotions OF
The spectacle OF the revef
ent tributes which we're laid yesterday
IN the graves Of men who gave up their
lives more than q full generation ago
that the nation might live, was one OF
the poblest evidences, not simply vi the
popular love for the republic, but OF the
instinct OF immortality.
The day ha. done much to teach US
all the lesson that the war Tor the unlon
revealed traits OF character such rs the
history OF manhood tie world over nau
never surpassed; that the virtues which
make people great we're never more
strongly rooted In the American heart
than thew were when the time came Tor
and slaughter, and that all the heroic |
achievements for which the people had
been revering their forefathers and set |
ting them up on pedestals as exemplars
OF a race Of patriots that has gone for
ever, we're after all not to be compared
with the sufferings and sacrifices OF the
generation that saved the union.
We welcome the day with all its
wealth OF tender and eloquent memo
r,es. 1t is at once beautiful and patriot
| ic, glorious. yet sad o
Memorial day was instituted IN iooo
by an order OF General John A. Logan,
| the first commander 10 chief OF the
order. and the anniversary Is now more
generally observed throughout the
| North than any national holiday.
Flowers are always considered an ap-
propriate contribution at wedding,
feast or funeral, at the entrance into
the world and the going out OF 1t, but
they are never quite so appropriate as
when laid on the graves Of men who died
that this nation might liye.
The day 10 this city was appropriately,
but quietly observed; strictly Memo
rial day, the exercises being confined TO
the ritual OF the order.
Members Of Meyer Post assembled at
their headquarters on Sunday last, 18th
INST, and marched in body under the
command of their Post Commander. ".
Id. Walker, to the NJ. E. church, where
religious exercises were held, the sermon
being delivered by Rev. NJ. b. Smith,
who was assisted by Rev. Sawyers: oil
the PRESBYTERIAN church. and Rev. fieg
enbaum, OF the German NJ. +. church.
At an early hour the thrOng began TO
arrive to witness the proceedings, and
listen to tho exercises, but many were
compelled to leave for want OF seats.
The first was song by n selected choir
for the occasion. and they sang, MY
Country 'Tis Of Thee" and at the re-
quest OF the leader Of the singing, the
large CONGREGATION engaged most hearti.
" with them in the song, and the effect
was good and softened the feeling OF the
vast audience, and tears started from
some eyes.
The 95th and part OF the goth Psalms
we're read by Rev. H A. Sawyers. pastor oil
the Presbyterian church Ut this CITY,
which was followed by prayer by the
, reader. This prayer embraced woe
: range OF subjects, and was very appro'
pirate for the occasion. ,
Another song was then sunR-"Sleep
Ill OIuloT, Oleep, anu "oo aeoNS'S~
some of the best singers We have, and
launched IN it's tenderness many a heart
and down many cheek flowed the brInJ
= tear.
Rev. NJ. d. Smith, Of the M. E. church
u of this city, then read for his text from
!, . Timothy, 4:7,"I have fought a gooc
- fight, have finished my course, ! have
. kept the faith"
g This world IS a great battlefield
- There hae been strife and war from al
most, IL not quite from the beginning o
the race. for in the bosom Of the frs
family hate abounded to that extent tina
d a brother raised his murderous han'
v against even dear brother.
n There have been bad wars. Their
J. have been wars where men were no
II fighting for the extension OF the bound
it OF their country, but for principle. His
n tory is q history of warfare. When OF
Q, the one hand the cause has been just
L the other from the necessity OF the cas-
It must be unjust.
10 The gray hairs OF many Of the me-
n. before me indicate that they went FORT
Al to their country's call in their youth an
" the full vigor Of their manhood. The
went forth to the war not knowing alto
It oether what results would be, and ye
at any keen. eyed philosopher could hav
at told, for God did not desire govern
r mept more established, when largely tn
,e other nations OF the earth had been ur
s. binding the letters OF their bondsmen.
r. Dempsey went to France and Englan
/. to get assistance and sympathy, but h
q. went too late and returned and died
J.; a broken heart. =,
-: These men before me went forth
So meet those against whom they held q
IS revenge, but they went to save tn
l., union from being broken up.
o. When General Grant was IN RUSS
n. and had all the men OF Office before HIN
OF he told them that he fought to prever
%. this union from being separated. Grar
o.. and the men before me did not want wa
,d but YOU and others we're standing Tor
he principle.
Our fathers had given US this countr
es til at had been purchased at the price
J." their blood, and it was sacred inner
lance. 1t had been entrusted to us
our fathers and for it and its 'ntere
a you were willing il need be to lay dow
~ your lives.
OF prophesied that We would fall tn piece
he and then some potentate OF that cou
ne Gft or LUOSS CUuutthCo "ooAN SSN.~
all establish his throne here.
he They did not fully realize that this
Is a government for the people and by u
We people. God gave US this country al
10 God did not want this nation to be 81
ID cred, and one established With the 10
tie blot OF human slavery as one OF its CO
ty, ner stones. Shall it be separated! Al
us we said one thousand times. No! WI
at such an emphasis on the no that o
.ge meaning could not be mistaken.
be better cause could have been fought I
70. than this. There was great brave
les manifested by you. but there was ECU
he bravery shown by those left behind. :,
wn A woman was left behind with Biz,
Oh tie childre.-her hands had not be
he used to toll. but she showed her loyal
Eat with her brawny hand and in thousa
,uy ways. Her husband returned on
in crutch and cane and che reached Q
Of her hand to grasp his just before che
let asleep in that sleep that knows no wa
,er. ing. There was battle fought IN tn
home by that woman that never will
told until the book Of Got's rene
brance is opened to the gaze OF all. re