Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-05-29
Hon. L. D. Thomason's Ora
ton and Tribute.
Procession and Other Fea.
lures of the Occasion.

county soldiers monument in court
house square. These we're preceded
by . procession, which formed on
Third avenue and Sixteenth street
under the direction OF Marshal of the
Day G. J. SearIe and aids, and the
column as compo ed moved east on
Third avenue to Twentieth street,
north to Second avenue. and west to
Fifteenth street, aud thence to the
monument in the following order:
Marshal and Aids.
Platoon of Police, Chief Fender Com
handing.
Bleuer's Band.
Rodman Rifles, Capt. William McConochie,
Rock Island Fire Department, Chief Collier
Commanding.
Civic Societies.
Speakers in Carriages.
Sons OF Veterans, Capt. LADDERS COMMANDING
Old Soldiers and Visiting Posts.
Union Veterans Union.
Buford Post, 243, g. A. R.
At the Monument.
Mayor T. j. Medill. Jr., presided
in the ceremonies on the platform
near the county monument, the pro-
gram opening with q bugle cali to
the assembly, and the rendition of
..America" by Bleuer's band. Then
Rev. &. F. Sweet. rector of Trinity
church. offered prayer, speaking as
follows:
20, God. who art the blessed and
only Potentate, the King of kings
and Lord of lords; the Almig hIy
Ruler of nations; We adore and mag
nifty Thy glorious name for all the
great things which Thou hast done
us; we render Tnee thanks for the
goodly heritage which Thou
hast given us; for the
civil and religious privileges
which we enjoy. and for the
multiplied manifestations Of Thy
favor toward us. Grant that we may
show forth our thankfulness for these,
Thy mercies. by living in reverence
of Thy almighty power and domin-
ion. in humble reliance on Thy good
ness and mercy. and in holy obedi-
enoe to Thy righteous laws. Pre-
serve, we beseech Thee, to our
country the blessings Of peace; re-
store them to nations deprived Of
them, and secure them to all the
people Of the earth. May the King
dom of the Prince of Peace come. and
reignin in the hearts aud
lives of men; unite them
in holy fellowship; that so their
only strife may be. who shall show
forth with most humble and holy
iervor the praises of Him who hath
loved them, and made them kings
and priests unto God. We implore
Thy blessing on all legislative. ju.
dicial and executive authority, that
they may have grace. wisdom and
understanding, SO to discharge their
duties as most effectually to pro.
mote Thy glory, the interests CT true
religion and virtue and the peace,
good order and welfare OF this state
aud nation; We pray for those whom
we especially commemorat. this day,
whose lives were 80 unselishly given
to the great cause of country and
home. May the lesson of their de-
votion be deeply imprinted o. our
hearts, and may their graves be ever
watered with 'he tears of . grateful
people. Bless all those who still
survive as witnesses of what men
can do for the support of law and
| order, make their declining years
happy with the tribute OF country:
lgratitude, and finally bring them te
a peaceful rest in Jesus. 0, AL.
mighty God. who hiss never failed
those who have put their trust in
Thee; and dost honor the people who
honor Thee; imprint on our hearts
We beseech Thee. q deep and habitua
sense Of this great truth that thu
only security for the continuance o.
the blessings which We enjoy con.
sists in our acknowledgment OF Thy
sovereign and gracious Providence
and in humble and holy submission
to the gospel Of Thy son. jesus
Christ; to Whom all power is given
on heaven and earth, and Who is one
with the Father and the Holy Ghos
in the eternal Godhead, our Mediator
and Redeemer. Amen"
The H. 0. quartet sang 1--WE
Gather Here With Reverence" and
Mayor Medill made q short addr ess
in which he said that this Assem-
blage met today for the purpose o
lpaying tribute to the vast army o
unnum bered dead, who gave NJ
their lives that the nation nigh
live. He spoke of the propriety o.
such . custom, when We review tn,
memories Of their acts OF valor, an,
In . feeling manner mentioned th'
iParting scenes Of loved ones Who's
homecoming was waited for in vain
In closing he paid . high tribute Il
the old soldiers who preserved
single flag for the grandest nation Of
learth.
| TAs Oratssa Of the Day.
| Hon. L. D. Thomson, Of Alsdo
then delivered the Grafton Of tn
1 day. "Of one thing I am truly con