Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1899-10-27

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CANTON. SOUTH DAKOTA.
arches on which were the words, ''Wel.
come Home, pretty ship, a stand OF
mlniture guns, small drum, bugle
and small canon, all the handiwork
of Mrs. O. K. Brown and Mrs. D. Il
Hawn of Canton, although MIR. Hawn
carved the canon after the style he
thought was about right. Above the
canon on small banner were the
words, '"The canon Capt. VanHouten
carried across the bridge Other
decorations were q canon by Henry
Loomis and two pretty ships made by
Francis and Charley Bradshaw. and
trimmed by Miss Mary Dalgard and
Mrs. Henry Loomis. Flags, ferns,
roses and carnations were in profusion,
and altogether the scene was bewilder-
ing in it's magnifcence.
After those at the tables had ''satis-
fed the inner man" Judge G. H. Wig
gin stepped to the platform as acting
president of the day in place Of A. A.
Frezeman Rev. F. T. Drewett, of
Canton, invoked the divine blessing
and the president followed with a few
remarks They were so appropriate
that we print them. In clear, pene-
trating tone he said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: AS our presi-
dent is absent, your committee sand
wiched me into taking the entire
charge of the platform, Custom die
tates that the chair shall offer few
words of introduction. ~
Many of you will remember that on
the morning of Feb. 49, 1898, the tele-
graph wires flashed throughout the
length and breadth Of this land that on
the night previous-when all nature
seemed at repose-while anchored in
neutral waters, on waters she had a
right to anchor, one of our best ships,
the .sMaine," had, through the treach-
cry of some one, been blown from her
moorings and gone to the bottom, to-
gether with as brave set of seamen
as ever trod the deck, who had gone to
their last resting place.
The wires had hardly ceased to tick,
tick, tick the news, when this nation,
as in 81, when Fort Sumter was forced
to pull down her colors at the mandate
of Rebel shot and shell, was stirred
from center to circumference. From
the rocky shores of old Maine to the
placid slope on the Pacific; from the
Great Lakes on the north to the Gulf
on the south, as one man we demanded
redress
The American people from a religious
and political standpoint have agreed tC
disagree on some OF the main points OF
our belief. From religious stand
poiat we are travelling on different
roads, so to speak, yet these roads al
merge into one grand highway and il
we are ever fortunate enough to ente1
the pearly gate, no armed sentinel will
charge bayonets," and demand by
what church we came. So we from q
political standpoint view the great
principles of our government in diff
ferent light sharp is the contest on
the eve of election and low down are
the tricks Of the cheap politician
But my friend, when our flag de as.
sailed-when the dignity of the nation
is at stake, we forget We were repu bll-
cans, forget we were democrats, forget
we were populists, but never forget
we are Americans and as Americans
have duty to perform.
With bated breath and with what
patience, or impatience, we waited for
the verdict as to the cause of the sink
ing of this noble ship, and when it did
come, with call to arms on the Esd
of April, how our boys rushed to the
recruiting office, they came from every
hill top and mountain side; from every
valley and wooded dell; the farmer boy
left the plow, the merchant left his
counter, the harrister flung down his
books,-yes, and the preacher left his
pulpit,-taking in his one hand his
mothers bible and in the other his
trusty revolver and when he failed to
convert sinners of their evil ways he
was not 10th to resort to what kings
and queens in all ages have resorted-
to cold lead backed up by gunpowder
and with prayer to the God of battle
to save their miserable souls. He was
first in the fight and last to leave.
We have met here for two-fold
purpose. First, to honor the Lincoln
county boys who so bravely went
forth at their country's sake. Second,
as an object lesson to our young boys
and girls. Every generation Of men
from 1776 down to the present time has
seen it's war. As parent's it's our duty
to teach loyalty by their observing the
a. b. c. rules of home and school. What
ever the rules that govern us, old or
young, care not whether good or bad
must be observed if we would be loyal
citizen. Do this and will answer to a
higher tribunal for patriotism. -,
Boys of Co. 3D.: We felt proud of
you eighteen months ago when you
marched away so grandly, with your
floating banner, your bristling bayonets
your bright new uniforms; but we feel
more proud of you today. We have
watched you every step with a fathers
pride and when your brave captain
rushed over that bridge in the face of
shot and shell with the cannon on his
shoulder and turned it on the enemy,
how we cheered for Go. D's'' brave
leader You have made for yourself a
history to be proud of-one that your
children will read with pride and say,
Papa was there"
But let US remember we are not all
here. To some of your Company the
taps have sounded for the last time.
Lights out, they sleep to day in
far-cff land, their graves unknown,
unkept and uncared for.
When you take your place by the
ssI off tho n Moro0rio1 1ox,