The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-31
NOT A CRAVE FORGOTTEN
FLOWERS STREWN OVER THE
i MINNEAPOLIS SOLDIER DEAD
- fore in the History of the City
An Imposing Parade, with Thou
sands on the Streets to Witness
the 0utpOurinE--Serv Over
the Remains of "a Soldier.

the Remains of "a Soldier.
Never before has Minneapolis had
such a Memorial day at the cemeteries,
in the streets or in the halls where it's
people gathered in memoriam.
This year of 1898 comes as a lesson
10 those few who may have scoffed
at the observance of the most beautiful
- all American days. For years it
has been the practice to strew with
flowers the graves of departed soldiers.
ii is more than thirty-five years since
0he last of them fell in battle, yet be
iN said in honor of a nation of peace.
ttS1t never for year or a day have
the dead been forgotten. never for an
I hour has a grateful nation ceased to
honor its dead from the bullets of an
enemy.
This year more than any other it has
been brought to mind, what beautiful
, custom is this Memorial day. This
year thousands of loved ones have gone
away TO battlef1eldS. Even now they
are being put through the schooling of
: wars stern requisites, and in a few
weeks they. TOO, will be on the field of
an enemy, they, too, will be drawn up,
column on column, to face, if neces-
sary, death, and death in it's sudden
est form. They, too, will rally round
the Stars and Stripes, and carry them
to the midst of the enemy, and it is
something for those who are left be-
hind to think, indeed, to know that,
when it is all over. if God so wills it
that some loved life may be taken for
. the honor of the nation, and for tie
service of human liberty, in the days
To come, no matter how many years
may pass, a grateful nation will honor
rtle memory of that hero who is gone.
and, with saddened hearts, the people
, of the nation will strew with fragrant
blossoms the sod that covers the ashes
of the beloved.
Some such thoughts as these must
T. have come to the people of Minneapo-
lis and caused them to gather in such
great numbers, even early in the morn
ing at the rendezvous of the dead.
Z They came sad-faced and fiower-laden,
/, and, when all was over, not a grave had
been forgotten, not a simple cross had
been overlooked in the labor of love.
r 1t is something for the brave boys
y away out West, away down South,
ready to meet the foe, to know that
in the peaceful Cities everywhere in
this glorious country thousands upon
I thousands, hundreds upon hundreds of
peaceful armies have marched to the
resting places of the soldier dead, and
sweet flowers, that are the gift of God
to his we'll beloved people, upon those
who. years ago, died or gave them
selves freely to the bullets of an enc
my, for the everlasting glory of the
Stars and Stripes. and the principles
they represent.
Never was there a more beautiful
\ day. Early in the morning the people
Z began to gather on the street corners,
to speed by on bicycles, to drive in car
ria geS, to walk in many cases, and
every one of them had their load of
flowers and blossoms to lay in loving
tribute to the dead. There were thou
sands of school children to add their
! bright faces to the throng. and show
that they were taking their first les
sons in patriotism, by learning their
Z duty to those who had made it posi-
bic for them to live in a happy and
prosperous country.
The most successful feature of the
DAY was the parade, which occurred in
the afternoon. 1t had been announced
that this was to be the greatest dis
play of the kind ever attempted in the
city, and the promise Of the general
committee was more than fulfilled. 1t
Twas an inspiring sight and was wit
messed by an immense throng of hui
mainly. which packed the streets 50
iSnsely that it was with difficulty a
--ath was cleared for the men compris-
e-lg the marching columns.
= The formation was made on Second
avenue south, with the head of the pa
rade resting on Sixth street The line
of march was taken up at 2:45, Just
fifteen minutes after the time fixed At
THE corner of Fourth and Nicollet were
stationed the various G. A r. posts of
the city, the eX-prisoners of war; the
naval veterans and the school children,
and as the various divisions passed this
point the men in line removed their
Shafts and walked by with uncovered
j teads. When the other marching
.jodies had all passed by the veterans
turned in and formed the final division.
marching in good order to the EXPOSE
ion building.
; The exercises at the auditorium were
istened to by 5000 people. The ora
ION of the day was delivered by Rev.
Matt Hughes.
The evening pageant preceding the
the Red Cross entertainment at the EX-
position auditorium, was another bril-
liant event of the days history AL
though not as elaborate as the after
moon demonstration its many features
were excellent.
The concert for the benefit Of the Red Cross
league was a fitting close to the ceremonies
/ of the day. More than 1000 people composed
ithe audience, which responded eagerly to the
patriotic spirit of the programme. Among
those who took part was Mrs. S. O. Harris
of st. Paul.