Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1899-06-02

The sun smiled benignantly Tue sdsy
as though he meant to signify in his
own way that Decoration Day was one
of the red letter dates upon the calen-
dsr. The country people turned out for
miles around, and the merchants, espe-
cialy those dealing in confectionery
and the like, were favored with a goo
business. Early in the afternoon the
members of the grand army numbering
exactly fifty-nine, and the members of
Company II formed a column, with the
Reed band at its head and marched to
the court house Rev. o. +. Thorn
bury was the orator of the day and
took conspicuous position upon the
court house steps just north of the
choir. The latter, ma.ie up chiefly of
masculine voices, rendered more than
one delightful selection. In the open
air their voices were not allowed the
customary reverberation, and added
to this obstacle were the disturbances
OccasiOned the distant rumble of a
freight train besides the annoying buzz
felt they must talk regardless of the
momen'ous occasion. However, the
singers entered into their work with
animation and their songs were duly
appreciated by all who lent an attentive
ear. Without procrasCination Rev.
DeLong advanced and made the open
ing prayer; an eloquent appeal indeed /;
in which he recounted our debts of
gratitude with God for the successful
elimination of the civil war and the
war of '9S
Comrsde W. + Bailey made an in
tr0ductory address which was neatly
put. Referring to the present occasion
he said, "The world will long forget
what we say here. but it can never for
get what we did then. He referred, of
course, TO the civil war, and not one
present who heard the remarks could
help but grasp its truth and feel their
spirits rise In veneration of the ola
soldiers there assembled. When Com
rade Bailey resumed his seat Rev
| Thornbury arose and held the audience
for about three-quarters of an hour
His speech was unique and full of
striking expressions, put in round and
to hold the ever fl citing attention of an
outdoor audience. He did not delve
into his text immediately but at first
took casual notice of the growing i'm
portance of Decorator day. There are
but two holidays calculs:ed to inspire
patriotism to the highest degree. One,
OF course, is July Fourth and the other
Decoration Day. 1t is singular, but un-
deniable, that the latter is gradually
growing in Importance. Mr.. Thorn
bury's subject was an odd one, but
strictly In accordance with propriety
and the occasion. He did not ask the
audience to listen to the rattle of
musketry nor witness again the con-
fusion and distress of the half forgot
ten battle. at is possible for the living
10 speak without words. it is possible
for the dying to do likewise, and so is it
possible for the dead" 1t was to those
finer and more delicate elements of
truth which he asked his audience to
turn their ears. "What do the flowers
say ?" he asked, and then charged the
veteran to look into bouquet and hear
the manifold voices. If they listened
one would tell of storm, another of love,
another of gratitude and friendship,
and another of the dead. One will
speak of the unknown grave which no
friend or relative ever decks, and then
TO drown remOrse or sorrow, another
would sing of nature and tell how she
forgets no one. All of her days are
decoration days. Thus he carried OH
his theme, which We regret we cannot
reproduce in full. 1t was magnificent
speech and the audience was not tired
when he sat down.
The bugle call was instantly sounded
and the hundreds present joined in a
long procession which took it's way
slowly to Oak Hill Here the usual re
spects were shown to the dead heroes In
whose memory the whole affair was