The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-31
ficers of the two posts, Governor Wells
was introduced.
THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.

THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
Governor Wells spoke as follows:
We have met today to pay tribut
of respect to the memory of our coun
trymen who have laid down their live
for us. Included within the roster O.
the dead are many illustrious names
Their memories are enshrined in oul
hearts forever; and on an occasion like
this it is the privilege and the joy Of
every true American to linger loving.
ly about the graves of his departed
comrades and speak their names in
whispered reverence. In honoring the
humblest soldier in the ranks who sac
rificed his life to preserve this glorious
Union we honor also the generals who
led the conquering hosts. The grim de-
Stroyer has leveled ali ranks, and to
day the dead drummer boy is as grear
hero as the loftiest conqueror. Lee
us strew their graves with forgetme-
nots and violets and sweet honeysuck-
les, and as we gaze upon the final rest
ing places of those of the nations dead
who sleep within the hallowed precincts
of our environs, let us reflect upon the
achievements of the soldiers of our
country.
Casting aside the curtain of the past
and gazing down the vista of years, we
behold the spectacle of thirteen Amer
lean colonies struggling for independ-
ence We hear the angry clamor of
their indignation meetings, and from
every town hall there echoes the cry:
No taxation without representation"
Anon they organize the militia, collect
scanty military stores and make ready
to fight. Though small in numbers the
soul of people contending against the
oppression of might vfbrates in every
bosom. 1t is not a war of pride and
ambition in which an island or a prov
ince is to be the award of success; it
is contest for personal liberty and
civil rights, coming down in its prin-
ciples to the very sanctuary of home
and f1reside, and determining for every
man the measure of responsibility he
shall have over his own condition, pos
sessions and happiness. 1t is the out
cry of a freedom loving people against
usurpation and tyranny. The soldiers
are unskilled in the arts of war, yet
linked together in the cause of liberty
as with hooks of steel they fight and
bleed like tigers. They are minute
men" at Lexington, Green Mountain
DOyo CT 1tSOHQSlOSd 1eI
with fowling pieces" at Concord and
Bunker Hill. Holding an inalienable
rights life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness, they fire ait their embat-
tied oppressors from behind trees,
rocks and stone fences. When their
ammunition is exhausted they join in
the inspiring shout that all men are
born equal and melting the leaden
statue of King George the Third they
run it into bullets. When these are
gone, still swarming like maddened
bees and appealing to the Supreme
Judge of the world for the rectitude of
their intentions they fight with the
butts and barrels of their guns. Pic
ture the heroism of these more than
Spartan menI Think of great Wash
ington crossing the Delaware, cutting
his way Through the floating ice and
surprising the Hessian hosts at their
Christmas revels! Think of Paul Re-
we're and his courageous ride from
Charlestown to warn the people of i'm
pending danger. Think of Sergeant
Jasper and his heroic devotion TO the
flag. Think of Ethan Allen and his
eighty backwocdsmen sweeping down
upon a garrisoned fort and taking pos
session of the English army lin the
name of the Great Jehovah and the
continental congress" Honor to them
all; and honor to that unselfish and
staunch friend of human liberty, La
fayettei