Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-06-07
Honors !or the Hero DEAD.


battle and privation which brought
sorrow to so many homes, to pay
tribute Of respect to the dead heroes
wherever they may be buried. Each
year finds lesser mum Der OF the pre-
servers Of the nation living and more
graves to decorate.
In a most fitting manner was Me-
mortal day celebrated in Lancaster.
Under clear blue sky that spoke of
peace and quiet was it heralded. 1t
was verify day Of flowers and sun
shine and the people assembled in I'M
usually large mum bers to do honor to
the nations hero-dead. Thirty-one
years ago the people of America cele-
brated their first Memorial or Decora-
ton day. The memory of the dead
was then fresh in the minds of all, but
today few live to recall the names
even of the departed hero IS. who sleep
in Lancaster cemetery and those round
about. The sentiment, however, has
remained and the flowers distributed
last Wednesday over the soldier
graves were as bounteous and as rich
as in the past. Every tribute of hon
or allowed a generation ago was ex
tended again to those who died for the
Union and for liberty More than
that, the day had gained in breath and
depth of significance. For the ma
tons tribute was extended through
out this broad land for the second
time in the history of the country to
the heroes of more than one war, whose
l Al
bond of unity between the warning
factions of former years and had made
the 30th of May memorial day for
federal and confederate alike. Youth
and memory went together. The
veterans. OF course, did not fail to
march in line, for to them Memorial
day is the day Of the year around
which the most intense and most ro-
mantle associations of earlier youth
must cluster. There was a galaxy of
sturdy blue coats, and also as usual
the veteran here and there lettering
with age and infrmity, scarcely able
to keep up the slow march of the pa
rade, but nevertheless ready to endure
any hardship rather than forego par
ticipation in the program.
The procession formed at the G. A.
K. hall and proceeded to the city hall
where it was Joined by a cavalcade OF
school children. Headed by the Lam
caster band the march was taken up.
to the cemetery where the veterans
were kept busy until nearly noon dec
Grating the graves Of the hero-dead.
In the afternoon were held the Gus
tomary beautiful ceremonies about
the soldiers monument in the Court
park.
One Of the most interesting portions
OF this part of the days program was
the responsive service between Column
bia, represented by Grace Morse, and
a group of boys and girls.
We give this in print below:
Columbia to = boys with flags
And who are YOU with banners bright
That fash 50 proudly on my sight?
Who come with staid and stately tread
Like those by martial music led?
we are the guards who stand for all
Who for their couutrys honor Tell.
For those WHO tell in lonely glen
Eunumhercd the sons of men.
For those who went our sag to fiE
Beneath the dome ot feedom sky.
For those VINO FOUGHT the eoodly tight
For home ana country ana the right.
For tho-c wHot'er were stauuch aud true
When aH tle blasts IF battle blew
For SuNerlug. starving tortured men
Wha braTtIy died ja la-l9on pen
For those who tatttred not nor lied
Though am lro.lU Was dark ana dread
For those who counted -e5fas aaueht
When hoNc tuo country CLAIMED their