The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-05-31
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVED
Continued from page one.)
Members of the Grand Army of the Re-

Members of the Grand Array of the Re-
public, ladies and Gentlemen:
The exercises of this day recalls that
period in our history when the fabric
Of this government was put to its sever
est. test Our minds lily revert to
that bloody struggle, which began at Fort
Sulnpter and ended at Aupam1-sI Court
House. The sIirring scenes of that period
are this day re-enacted. We hear again
that marshall music; that beating for
volunteers in every city, town and viii
lage of the land We attend again those
monstrous meetings and listen to the inn
passioned eloquent and patriotic appeals
in behalf of the union. We witness the
final. pathetic, and heart-rending leave
taking. We hear the last goodbye. We
see the tears-those sacred tears-that
moistened the mothers cheek, as she kiss
ed her boy, perhaps for the last time on
earth. We follow the boys in blue" all
all through t1e years of Il at memorable
struggle. We see them on the weary
march, in the camp, and on the field of
carnage: now in the bitterness of defeat:
now, in the glory of victc"y-but in de-
feat or Victory-always with honor. Fin
ally, we witness that grand review, when
our victorious army paraded along the
streets and avenues of our national capi-
tai, homeward bound. to receive that
royal welcome sue has ony a great and
free people could give tn ir conquering
heroes
Thirty-five yeasr have come and gone.
And now, by custom, as well as by law,
One Of our great holidays comes in mid
winter when all nature is locked in ice
and snow; another comes In autumn,
when the granaries are overflowing with
the products Cf the soil another comes in
midsummer, when the suns rays beat
with greatest intensity upon the earth;
and still another comes nthe glorious
sprngtime, when all nature is resplendent
with beauty and glory; when the earth
is carpeted with velvet green; when the
trees and the shrubs have donned their
richest foliage; and when the woods and
prairies. the hillsides and valleys, the or
"hards, the gardens and the lawns are
decked with flowers OF the rarest beauty.
60 in harmony with n ,ture at this sea-
5 of the ear, and embematic OF the
patriotic impulses actuating their hearts,
grateful people, on this 3Oth day of
May, deck with flowers and foliage the
graves of it's fallen heroes From every
.
and a nation of seventy-fve millions of
people, join in a chorus OF praise, to
those who have suffered and died, that
others might live and enjoy the blessings
OF freedom and liberty.
II is pertinent to inquire what is the
object OF Memorial Day? Why all this
demonstration? What is the meaning OF
the solemn procession, leading 10 every
cemetery OF the North land? What is
the sentiment in the heart that prompts
the hand to gather the flowers and place
them tenderly upon the graves OF the
dead soldiers Why gatf.r the people
the 30th day of May has been solemnly
dedicated as Memorial dly that a CRATE
full people may fttingly honor the dead,
and appr opriately recognize the virtues
OF the living.
THAT DAY WE CELEBRATE.
The people of the United States observe
four great holidays. These are Christ
mas, Thanksgiving, our nations birth
day and Decoration Day. The FIRST two
are largely rel gious the last two patriot
ic The first mentioned is = season OF gift
making, JOY. good cheer The second is
set apart as a day OF Thanksgiving. 10
the Great Ruler OF the Universe for man