Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-05-31
A NATIONS GRATITUDE,
Words Of Patriotism Spoken Over Sol
diers' Graves.

The services at the cemeteries YES
terday afternoon commemorative of
Memorial day We're as fitting and i'm
posing as We're the exercises in the
city in the morning. During the
forenoon the cemetery committee of
John Buford post 243. &. A. r.. Wis
tied Chippiannock and decorated over
two hundred soldiers graves with
flowers and small flags. Ir the after
noon the exercises were held in the
open space about the monument
TO the Unknown Dead" John Bu-
ford post, q. A. r.. and John Morris
camp. ). Of ", with the ladies' auX-
illaries. accompanied by Bleuer' 5
band. met At the monument. where a
square was formed, the exercises being
opened with a call to the assembly by
Miss Holt. Come Ye DisconsOlate. =
by the band was followed by the OPEN
ing PRAYER by Dr. TAYLOR. Capt. j. Nj.
Beardslev then introduced Mavor r.
j. Medill, Jr.. who made an appro-
pirate address. saving in the course
OF his remarks that though years
have passed since these heroes
wrought deeds of valor for our COM
mon cause. their glories are undimmcd
and our gratitude finds action in the
decoration of soldiers graves on Mem
orlai day. The speaker then passed
to patriotism and love of country that
inspired the defenders of the har
when they tore themselves from
all that was dear to - offer
their lives if need might be.
that the nation might live.
Continuing Mr.. MediIl said that it was
most proper that we should meet on
4 day dedicated to the memory of
those true sons of freedom to strew
their graves with fragrant flowers
and tell again of their patriotism and
victories SO nobly won. Here he
touchingly referred to the devotion of
the dear mothers and sisters and
wives OF the fallen heroes whose no.
bility OF character has been a shining
light to the world. Referring to the
present strife he told of this nation
efforts toward releasing down trod-
den people from a vile bondage and
the response from the entire nation
north and south at the call to arms:
the mingling of the blue and the
gray and the righteous cause that in
the end shall triumph.
Capt. A. NJ. Blakeslev was next
presented. He said it was indeed be-
hitting that we should meet in this
beautiful spot each year with bowed
heads on day when all nature is r,e
Joicing in its newness of life to pav
tribute to the memory of our sacred
dead. Capt. Blakesley reviewed the
struggles of the nation, and expressed
the belief that the God of all is work
ing out still more glorious destiny
for America today. He praised the
deeds of those who gave their lives
in freedoms cause and bespoke tri-
umphant victory for American arms.
Following Mr.. Blakcsley's remarks
the band rendered Our Illustrious
Dead. > Rev. c. II. Mitchell. of Kan
sas. made appropriate remarks. after
which the band played the dirre
.lDolore. Commander Bladel. of
Buford post, then conducted the G..
a. k. service for the dead after which
the squad from the Sons of Veterans
hred the salute for the dead. After
taps was sounded by Miss Holt and
the singing of My Country 'Tis of
Thee, Rev. f. T. Gee pronounced the
benediction, and the services were at
an end. Following this the Sons of
Veterans and Ladies Aid societies Wis
tied the graves of the late Capt. John
}. McConochie and seven other MEM
bers of Company A, and Sons of Vet
Grams, holding services and firing
three volleys over each grave.
The services at the National Gene
terry at Rock Island arsenal were
H.,