The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-06-07
Memorial Day.
An grafton by Louise waight delivered
7 on

An grafton by Louise Waight delivered ut
Leon. Iowa, May 3D. 1900.
MIR. Chairman, Veterans of the Grand
Army, Young Heroes of our late and
present War, Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t has been our pleasure on several
other Memorial days to speak a few
words of admiration for our dead heroes
and word of cheer, consolation and
admiration to our living heroes but this
beautiful Memorial Day, May 80, 1900,
prompts us to invite your more relig-
ious and sincere observance to this day,
more than any other day iE American
history. This day probably stands, or
at least should stand, at the head of
all days, Let us remember the strug-
giles for Liberty in the Revolution, the
sacrifice of the Union in the Civil War
and the blow for humanity in our war
with Spain. Let us remember the suffer.
ings of 1776, the valor of 1861, and the
loyalty up to May 80, 1900. Let us
remember that we owe DEBT of graft
tude to the defenders Of this nation
which we can never repay; then let us
manifest our gratitude and show our
appreciation Of their loyal work in a
sacred observance of this Memorial Day
by concentrating the brave deeds Of
the living and by decorating the graves
of some Of our dead.
This day comes every year entwined
with memories too sacred to be laid
aside, too important to be treated with
careless Indifference. We revere Chris
tinas, as the day on which Christ VAS
born. More than 10 centuries have
passed since then but nothing can turn
the ever advancing thought of Christ
ian civilization from the manger and
cross of the Redeemer of mankind.
Fourth of July marks the date upon
which the Declaration Of Independence
was read and there was proclaimed to
the world new nation was born.
More than century of freedom has
elapsed but no true American citizen
Each n5avsplly hail its annual coming;
the annais of lime anu- beer asfe man,
millions who gather about the fiesta
board to give thanks for the many bless
lngs strewn as flowers along the path.
way OF time. Dear as all these are tt
our hearts there is still another which
should be more fondly cherished-it i,
Memorial Dav and especially this 3Ott
day of May, 1900, day designated by
the highest national authority in mem
DRY OF those who fought for nationalit,
and for national honor, and of those
who died in Freedoms name in defense
OF manhood and of man. To the pat
rlotic heart that throbs beneath the
stars and stripes, this day will ever be
preserved as sacred to loyalty, to love
and to tears. True to the patriotic
custom OF their ancestors, future gen
erations and then the women and little
children who come upon the stage Of
human action in years long after the
soldier and sailor Of our Civil War and
our war with Spain, has reached camp
on the other shore, will come with sad,
dened hearts and fearful eyes to sine
their sweetest songs and strew theii
loveliest flowers beside the same monu-
ment and above the same grave, where
sing and weep the royal millions of to.
day. May God bless this both day Of
May! Patriot hands plucked it from
the heart of natures love'ie lest spring time
and reverently dedicated it to the mem.
DRY OF those who so sweetly sleep in the
Wlndowless rest of death, dedicated it as
the promised offering Of living hearts to
those who are yet to grow weary and
lay down their burden to answer Here