Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-06-04
A DAY WITH THE PAST.
FALLEN HEROES REMEMBERED At
THE COUNTY SEAT

Madison.
The night that preceded Memorial
day was a rainy one, but the morning
broke in splendor and by noon the
streets Of Lancaster were thronged
with people who came clad in gar
ments of spring and bearing garlands
of blooms in their hands to revive he
role memories. But little back
across.the feeting years, across the
silenced tears, across our buried fears
but little back slumber the mem
cries Of days when many martialed
feet sent waves Of leaden music thrill
ling through our land; a dropping
flag. nodding flower, mutfied drum
awakens them now; but every year
the slumber deepens; every year
times drapery thickens, and every
wear more slowly quickens the blood
patriotic Of the average American
citizen An awful question comes to
US. VIII the time come when we
shall entLuse no more over the things
that have made US the most glorious
nation among nations2 Win the
time come when. our furled banners.
our world-admired legends, our pa
triotic declarations, given over as
food for moths, stored in unused
chambers to await times dissolution.
viii be remembered no longer, while
we revel in the frivolous fashions, the
dizzy customs, the minded
thoughtlessness of today? VIII the
time come when the people cannot
spare one day in the year away from
horse-racing. bicycle meets, baseball
games and beer drinking to discuss
the motives and means that freed four
million slaves and kept intact the
greatest country on the face of the
earth9 We cannot believe that the
people love their country less than in
other days. 1t is the drudgery OF
earnestness and the burden Of con-
centrated thought that causes the
crowd to dwindle year by year away
fr5m gatherings Of this sort.
Twelve years ago the court house
park and adjacent streets could bare
II afford standing room for the peo-
pie who gathered about the soldiers
monument. On,saturday the park was
Il little more than half filed. Thoughts
similar to those outlined at the be-
ginning of this report seemed to bur-
den the minds of the faithful persons
present; but at length the shadows
rolled away and the only thought to
mar the soul-inspiring splendors Of
the occasion was one Of regret that
any had missed this rare opportunity
TO renew,the loyalty of heart and soul.
The different committees had per-
formed their respective duties in a
manner highly commendable. The
monument and grounds were nicely
festooned with flowers, flags and
mourning draperies, with here and
there portrait of some noble warrior
or statesman gone. Music in fitting
variety both vocal and instrumental
was never surpassed by any preceding
like event. and the exercises at the
stand were especially interesting.
Rain on the preceding night inter-
fered with carrying out the program
of the morning. At 1870 O'Clock the
Post and Corps formed in imposing
procession and headed by the Lancas-
ter band marched around the court
house square and halted at the monu-
ment where pretty children
beautifully dressed in white sang
Cover them over with beautiful
flowers and decorated with choicest
floral offerings the noble shaft
From the monument the audience
congregated about the speakers stand
where Post Commander Geo. Budd
called the people to order and opened
the exercises with appropriate read
ing from the G. A. r.. ritual.
President Sohloesser. following the
program, announced music by the
band That organization Just then
happening to be absent, heartfelt
and eloquent prayer WAS offered by
Rev A y. Macs followed BY the
dirge. Hail Columbia, by the band
Failing into line One ~ the
heroes 80, dropping from the ranks, .
was beautifully rendered by choir
composed Of the following persons:
Messrs Geo Carter, James Wood