Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-06-13
Memorial Address by senator Weeks. De-
Iiyered at Lancaster. May so, 80.

Iiyered at Lancaster. May 80. 80.
Continued from editorial page.l
tendency was gaining unless some
thing could be done to stay the tide.
Slavery had been recognized by the
constitution as local institution. ex-
listing only by virtue of local law.
(The South now sought to engraft a
new political dogma by saying that
slavery could be continued by virtue
of positive law enacted by the terri
tory or state) In other words that
slavery was national and freedom was
local. On this issue they were beat
en- in the election of 1870 and Abra-
ham Lincoln, the grandest character
in our history or perhaps any other,
was chosen president of the United
States. Then came the threatened
act of secession. Fort Sumter was
surrounded and the flag-that old
flag that we had been taught to love
from our childhood up-that flag that
was to us an emblem of country of
equality of liberty-that flag that was
an inspiration to the oppressed OF all
pride-was fired on by hostile hands.
All, fatal mistake! They little knew
the wealth of patriotism, the courage,
the resources of the North. Hardly
had the echoes of Sumter died away
from the hills OF the East and the val
levs of the West. when the Drawn and
muscle of the North rallied to its de-
Tense. The spirit of liberty was
abroad in the land: all nationalities
and all ages pressed to the front.
They came from the store, the shop,
the Office and the farm. and the bur-
den of the song all over this land was
'.Rally round the flag. boys, Rally
once again--Shouting the battle cry
of Freedom" They knew what war
meant. They loved home as we love
home; loved sweethearts and children
and fathers and mothers as we love
them, and yet under the flag they
loved so well they CALAMITY marched
away to danger and to death. Per-
sons here can remember the stirring
scenes that occurred in this village
and in your surrounding villages and
in the country. In imagination | see
them as they make preparations for
the march. No time for sentiment;
the willing mother packs no trunk;
loving hands of wife fill no satchel.
In the journey they have undertaken,
little need for such as these. And
though they know they may never re-
turn, even little keepsakes are left
behind. With fond embrace for
wife and kiss for child and a ..God
bless you" to father and mother. they
are away. And the wife, though her
heart is breaking, bids her husband
Godspeed and the mother says to her
darling boy, her pride and her hope
'sMv son, bring back your shield or
be brought back upon it." Do you
wonder that the boys were brave? A
Spartan commander, when asked why
it was that Spartan soldiers were the
brayest in the world, replied THAT
none but Spartans had Spartan wom-
en- for Mothers (Applause.) No
true heroism. more love for country,
or who did more to alleviate the suf-
ferings of its defenders in camp and
hospital and field. than tine mothers
we have the honor to call ours. And
so from the homes of the North they
went to the war, went forth to cham
pion the cause of right. and to do and
dare for country and the flag. (Ap-
plause.) Do you think they were ever
forgotten at home or that they ever
forgot the parting kiss or the farewell
benedictiono On the weary march
in the swamps Of the South-around
the bivouac fires-on the battlefield
in the prison, their thoughts were
ever of the loved ones at home. How
they would look for their letters, how
they longed to greet them once more
in Gods country way up North But
alas, the enemy was pressing, the flag
was in danger. deity must be done.
We need not stop to recount their
deeds of daring on the many bloody
battle-fields of the South. They were
with Grant at Vicksburg, in the
Wilderness and at Appomatox; with
Rosecrans at Chattanooga; with Sher-
man at Atlanta; and on his march to
the Sea; with the brave Thomas at
clouds at Lookout Mountain; with
Meade at Gettysburg and Sheridan at
Winchester. Ever cool, determined,
resolute, brave. Amid the smoking
conflict was your darling boy. But
wherever danger most threatened,
wherever the line was weakest, wher
ever the crowd of battle lowest. you
can see him on the very front line OF
battle. wounded or it may be dead.
And that is the history OF many a
brave soldier whose grave you so be-
fittingly decorate. 1t was not love of
arms that called them to the field.
Their associations and habits and
tastes were those ofpeace. The small
pittance they received was no induce
ment. They went to the front not to
gain honor or glory; an imperilled
country called them, duty urged
them and patriotism responded to the