Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-06-01
coUyTRY's DEFENDERS moNoREp
People Unite TO Lay Fresh Garlands on
the Graves of the Departed Dead-Dec-
Grafton Day Magnificent One-spIen-
did Parade and Patriotic Address.

What note of sorrow wounds the. joyo
The birds are music maddened In the dells,
From out myriad Threats the chorus
The jubilee for winter passed away
No cloudlet mars the splendor of the day,
Through glimmering arcs the sunbeams
weave their spells;
soft signs the amorous wind Ger fragrant
bells
OF valley lilies and narcissus gay
Yet like funeral dirges at the feast
A voice OF mourning sounds upon the air.
miserere beats upon the strand,
Fair freedom calls and will not be appeased;
Bring laurel wreaths and blossoms sweet
To grace their graves who died to ss.ve
the landn"
We presume there is no place in the
land where less ostentation prevails
aud more genuine patriotism is felt and
made manifest for the memory of the de.
parted heroes of the rebellion than 10
Viroqua. This is shown each recurring
Decoration day, when the people lay
aside the ordinary cares OF life and
unite in proper observance For miles
about the people assemble and join our
citizens in the solemn and sacred duty
of remembering the departed dead and
lay fresh tear stained spring tokens
upon mounds that contain their sacred
dust. 1t is solemn service freely given.
Monday last was not an exception in
the long series of memorial days in
Viroqda 1t was magnificent day and
well observed. The city was a perfect
scene of huttering flags. At 130 the
procession formed ON Main street 1t
was long ard imposing one aud pre-
ssnted most inspiring see le. First
came the martial band, firing party,
girls with flowers, Grand Army and old
soldiers, Woman's Relief Corps, Viro-
qua schools, Viroqua military company,
Juvenile home guards in uniform, and
citizens. When the formal march and
decoration of graves had been COM
pleted, the crowd assembled about the
pavilion, where the Grand Army and
Relief Corps ritual services were carried
through under Commander 0. p. Hill
and President Mrs. I. d. Bennett, as
sisted by their subordinates. To the
unknown dead monument was dedi-
ated, upon winch ea,h lady of the Re-
lief Corps laid floral Offering.
The memorial address was given by
Rev. A J. Coram. 1t was in his re-
t,sshing and vigorous style, meeting
the appreciation and hearty applause
of his hearers. Mr. Coram spoke feel
ingly of the yalor OF the boys in the
| field and the trials of the home guard
the one suffered in bodily hurts and
| fatigue, the other in mental anguish.
AS the boys of '6l and '65 we're true to
the nation aud the flag, SO are the boys
of '9S true to the call of suffering hu-
manity on our borders, and will sacri-
flee life and home 10 appease the suffer
ing and defend the weak.
The services were interspersed with
vocal and martial music Many fingered
at the cemetery to drop tear on the
grave of some departed relative or
friend, while the major portion of the
large assemblage formed and remarched
to the city.
The Meth 1dist church was filled to
its fullest capacity, Sunday morning, in
anon memorial service. Tue G A. r.
Post and Relief Corps marched in a
body and took seats IN the auditorium
of the church. The house was pro-
fusely decorated with flags, bunting and
flowers. Rev. Dixon offered prayer;
Rev Brown read portion of scripture,
and the sermon was by Pastor Coram,
IL is the common expression of the peo-
pie that they were never privileged to
listen TO more patciotic and eloquent
address. The Methodist choir provided
inspiring hymns.