The record-union., 1899-05-31
THE GRAFTON,
Eloquent and Patriotic Address by
Hon. EIwood Bruner.

| The feature of the exercises was the
| Grafton delivered by Hon. Elwood Bru-
ner Mr.. Bruner followed Miss Wag-
goner, and it was late in the afternoon
when he addressed the assemblage. Mr..
Burners address follows in full. He
said:
The nation mourns its dead By the
sanction of law. and the more solemn
demand issuing from the hearts of
mighty and grateful people, this day
has forever been set apart for the pur-
pose of honoring the memory of the
departed soldiers and sailors of the
Union.
And not alone those, for we garland
the graves of our Revolutionary sires
who won the first great victory for
freedom Of conscience, for liberty Of
speech. for popular government, and
who died that a union of States might
be formed one and indivisible, a heri-
tage of joy and hope and faith to sue
ceeding generations.
Standing by the grave of the patriot,
evidenced by the polished shaft that
ever points to the stars, bowing with
reverent head, we strew the tender yio-
let's and drop a silent tear to the men,
ory of our brave heroes, then rising
with exultant hearts, we thank God for
the comsummate bravery. the glorious
valor and the stalwart patriotism of
the men and women Of our great coun-
try. And how did they fall? On the
plains of Concord and Lexington, de-
manding justice and equality.
At Gettysburg and in the Wilderness.
demanding a united country and free
dom for all within its borders; at Ell
Caney and San Juan, and Manila. de-
manding that all the nations of the
earth shall recognize and enforce the
rights of common humanity.
In the trench and in the swamp. ever
pressing forward under the folds of
their country's flag, keeping step to the
music of the anthems of liberty-they
fell as heroes.
Alike in cottage and palace, the pa
tient, tender heart of womanhood,
which, while praying that God in his
mercy would spare the loved one, who,
quick to respond to his country's call.
shouldered the musket, and smiling
through his tears. marched away to
eternal glory-yet, like the spartan
mothers of old, nerved itself to the
duties of life. and dedicated to coun-
try father, brother, lover and son.
IL HAS DSeH SAID IfldI the Dl0Od OF the
martyrs was the seed of the church.
even so can we say that the blood OF
the American patriot is the seed Of
universal liberty.
Every war thus far carried on by the
American people has been to accomplish
a noble purpose The war of the rev.
olution was intended to secure civil and
religious freedom; out of that conflict
arose a constitutional Government. the
kindiiest and most beneficent the world
has yet known.
The war of the rebellion contempIat-
ed the preservation of the union of
States, and incidentally the emancipa-
ton of a race held in bondage. The
carnage was awful. On many a
bloody battlefield brave men fell like
blades of grass before the sickle, but
from out the ashes of fraternal discord.
new nation arose, greater, grander
than before.
The American people demanded of
Spain that the cruel slaughter of her
subjects within sight of our borders
should cease. but our demands were
treated With naughty disdain. In the
name of God and humanity, with will
ing hearts, we poured forth our wealth
Of life and treasure, and rescued from
disgrace and misery and death, mil
lions of our fellow human beings.
Let us consecrate this day to .he
memory of the nations dead. Let
every thankful, loyal citizen set aside