Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-06-05
1T WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY.
Filled With Endearing Memories and
Helpful Thoughts.-Memorial
Day Instilling Loving
Spirit Into the
Nation.

The rising sun which ushered in the
Memorial Day for 1900, seemed to smile
in benediction upon the nation, and the
brows of the old soldiers seemed tc
bear new halo of youthful days, as
they prepared to DO honor to their fall
len comrades, who lie in peace in every
city, village and hamlet throughout this
broad land OF ours. The significance
of Memorial Day is impressing itseli
more and more upon the minds of the
people as the years pass by, and few are
they who do not wend their steps to the
cemetery upon that occasion, to place
emblems of love and remembrance up
on the grassy mound of friend, be he
soldier or citizen. The impress left up
on the minds of the children of the
land, through the proper observance OF
this day, will do more to perpetuate
American patriotism and love of coun-
try than anything; for there is n deep
seated influence about it that inspires
one to nobler thoughts, a better man
hood and deeper affection for the re-
public and all that it represents.
The program of the days exercises,
as published in last week S issue of the
PILoT, was carried out, with one or two
exceptions. At two o'clock in the after
noon the procession formed on lower
Third street, under the direction of
Maj. j. ID. Womer There were con-
yeyances for old soldiers and their
wives, Cutler Post G. A. r. being pres
ent in a body. The flower girls also oc-
cnpied a bus. Cones Military Band
was at the head of the procession, and
Company G occupied conspicuous
position in the line, many of its men,
bers being Spanish American war vet
Grams. Other veterans of this last war
marched in the procession, and the
streets were thronged during ITS pas
sage down the Avenue, to strains of
music from the band.
Early in the morning throngs of peo-
pie began to gather at the cemetery,
taking with them baskets of flowers,
and itwas not long before the grassy
mounds presented a picture of beauty,
being festooned with garlands, the
beautiful snowballs predominating
The people were much interested in the
improvements which have been made
throughout the grounds, and the trans
planting of the hundreds of trees this
spring seems to have been very success
ful, for they are in flourishing condi-
ton aud are being well cared for
Upon arrival at the cemetery, the
procession gathered about the soldiers
monument. where the band rendered
couple of selections, after which the
services were in conformity with the
G. A. r. ritual. At the close, prayer
was offered by chanlain, J. n James,
and taps were sounded by Company
Gs bugler.
The large assemblage was then direct
ed to gather in front of the chapel,
where the band rendered the ''Star
Spangled Banner" after which the
speaker of the day, Hon. Neal Brown,
was appropriately introduced by Carl
Mueller. From his position on the
platform, Mr. Browns powerful voice
could be distinctly heard by the most
distant listener, and his remarks were
filled with depth of patriotism and
breadth of thought that were ennobling
and deeply interesting He traced the
war history of the republic from the
struggle for freedom in rs to the end
of the conflict with Spain in '9S, dwell
ling particularly upon the bloody years
between 6l-65, when 100000 men trod
the paths of glory to the grave. North
and South are now cemented together
in friendship, and common love of
country and flag, more than ever be-
fore, and their common blood mingled
upon the fields of Cuba, and they are
even now fighting side by side in the
Philippines. AS long as there is an
American people, the names and graves
of the soldier dead of great nation
will be kept in remembrance, and the
grassy mounds under which they sleep
viii be lovingly decorated on each re-
curing Memorial Day At the conclu-
sion of his address, Mr. Brown was
rendered three hearty cheers by the
assemblage, and many an old soldier
Shook his hand and said that If vxyaS ono
of the best Memorial addresses he had
ever had the pleasure of hearing. The
band played America, many of those
present joining in with their voices, and
the days exercises were closed with
benediction.