The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-06-24
Shiawassee Battalion Picnic.


The annual picnic of the Shiawassee County
Battalion was held at Caledonia Park on Wed
nesday of this week and was well attended by
old soldiers, their wives, children and friends
from all over the county.
In the afternoon the literary exercises were
held in the pavilion and were opened by the
drum corps
Rev. Henry King invoked the divine blessing
after which the audience led by Col. Moyses
sang America Miss Lena Parker presiding
at the piano.
Col Henry Clark, colonel of the battalion,
warmly welcomed the old soldiers and their
friends in few well chosen words.
marching Through Georgia." prepared the
audience for the strong address of Rev. Mr..
Marshall, of Corunna, who paid an eloquent
tribute to the "boys in blue" "Boys in blue,
we called you in the days of strife and rebel
lion. Boys we shall always call you You
made it possible to place this nation just where
1t is now-the defender OF humanity"
| Referring to the Cuban struggle for liberty
the speaker justified the present resort to
armed force on the part of the United States,
| in the cause OF humanity.
Mr.. Marshall then sang the following original
song set to music of his own:
WAVE ON
Although your gray we call you boys,
And such you are in TRUTH
The flag you gave your all to save,
Has clothed you with eternal youth.
That Dear Old Flag" you fought to save,
That sat this people free,
Your sons shall plant with manly pride,
On many islands Of the sea.
No ensign floats on sea or land,
With such glorious hue,
| Her sacred folds hold dear the names
OF all the Loyal Boys in Blue"
The breeze OF every cline shall watt
Freedom from her folds
Till all the world it's fruits enjoy,
Where God has planted human souls
Wave on "old Glory" we will hold
| Thy STAFF with steady hand
No other ensign eer shall float
Above thee on thy native land,
Wave on and on and on.
Rev. G. ". Northrop, of Owosso here paid an
eloquent tribute to the soldiers of the rebellion,
and his we'll known fund of anecdotes Afforded
the audience much entertainment.
The solo with chorus "The Old Army Bean,''
with Col Moyses as soloist was heartily ap.
plauded.
Miss Millie Reynolds, "The Daughter of the
Regiment" recited an appropriate selection in
a very pleasing way.
Comrade II. II. Pulver being called for re-
sponded in his well known entertaining manner.
He claimed the old soldiers had the right to
boast OF many things. They faced and subdued
the greatest rebellion OF modern times. In the
execution of which duty upwards OF 5000 bat
ties were fought, some of them the most bloody
of all times The soldiers OF the late war were
taught to preserve the flag at all costs. That
sentiment was and is the all prevailing one.
Mr.. Pulver paid his respects to the Spanish
Dons and made hit in alluding TO the game
OF Pedro as taught the Dons by our Dewey.
Comrade @. H. Cobb then gave laughable
description OF the ''army mule"-not Blanco's
mule but the genuine mule
Rev. w. II. Simmons. of Corunna, in his ad
dress gave merited praise to the patriotic
spirit OF the young men OF these days. Taking
the self-sacrihcing act of Lieut.. Hobson and his
brave companions in blocking the harbor oi
Santiago, he claimed young men OF the same
spirit million strong could be mustered into
the service of the United States. "Does It all
pay" eloquently asked the speaker, referring
TO the sacrifice Of life and property in the late
rebellion AT fearful cost Of life and property
the nations life being at stake, it paid to save
SuCn u 0dblOH tNtu db ouOh o"SiihSO' AASh
the speaker likened the present strife Will
Spain to the strife OF the rebellion, In that The
idea Of emancipation had place In each.
Comrads Moyses being called upon spoke
briefly, but decidedly to the point
Comrade J. w. Turner In well worded
thoughtful and eloquent effort showed the
reason for all war is self-preservatlon The
destiny of this nation is that OF guardianship
oror tbo ryaalr and down trodden With Eng
land we will stand against the absolutlsm ant
despotism OF all the world, II need be-.
Comrade Turner favored the idea OF guar
dianship of the conquered Islands.
AT any rate the speaker humorously inter
iected awe will take pay for the expense Y
which we have been put in this war, out OF th'
PHILIPPINES or elsewhere"