The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-05-31

4 MEMORIAIIDA " EXERCISES

Yesterday was proud day for

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Yesterday was proud day for
the survivors Of the war Of the
rebellion, and an inspiring one to
all who love to honor and to see
honored the boys, living and dead
who have placed within our hands
the privileges we all enjoy as citi-
!, zens Of this Union. The people
Of Bemidjl have as much reason to
respect Memorial day as those in
other localities, but the lack Of
amy soldiers grave to decorate
here robs the day Of much Of its
significance.
But the magnificent crowd that
gathered at the opera house yes
terday afternoon, and the general
closing of stores and saloons and
the large icession Of labor throug-
out the village, showed that even
Bemidji can pause and bow its
head before the altar Of patriot
ism. TWAS high compliment to
the day and to the men and wo-
men who sought proper observ-
ance Of, the day.
Members Of the local Ct. A. r..
post, their ladies, the speakers and
Others met at the Woodman hall
and marched to the opera house .
few minutes TO 2 o'clock pm. The
hall with encircled with a band Of
the beloved bunting and the stage
was festooned with flags and ferns.
IN the centerof the stage was a
stand Of wreaths AMI colors en-
circling the banner: ITO the
!. Memory Of Heroes Resting in, I'm
known Graves. e q '@
The hall was crowded-ladies
and children being largely in the
maioritywhen Chairman G. i.
Smith called the meeting to order
at 2:15. Rey. Watson offered a
fervid prayer, full of cheer and
tenderness, then the male quar-
tette--I.S. Boyer, ]. i. Reynolds,
E. H. Jerrard and j. Berry sang
the first Of their six selections,
each one Of which were excellent
II rendered. "The Vacant Chair"
as sang BY them was particularly
rich in harmony and pathos.
Lincoln's short but impressive
Gettysburg Address was read by
Mrs. Harmon, after which our
eloquent Chas. Scrutchin deliver
ed 4 short address, which, by the
zeal Of our shorthand reporter,
we are enabled to reproduce in
full. 49,
M. Smith told what a help and
a blessing was the Ladies' Circle as
IN auxiliary to the G. A. r. post,
and as the bows could not ny a
At q, ii, ladies have bonglt one
f., them. Mrs. Bailey. presl--
!. dent Of the Circle then III an IN
nlessiye address Presented lithd
some silk flag to the Harmon post.
, She recountea the hardships en-
dured by the soldiers on the battle
fields and in the prisons Of the
South; how the patriotism of the
sires must be cultivated by the
children in order that liberty may
continue TO live; and when the
last mber Of Harmon Post
has been mustered out this flag
shall be placed in the hands Of
the mayor of Bemidji as remind.
er to future generations OF the
loyalty, sacrifices and courage OF
the men and women of the past.
w. f. Street gave an address
that deserved, and received, the
hearty approval of the audience.
It was full of the fire of progress
sive Americanism. He told how
the war to preserve the Union ex-
ceeded its first intent; the war,
like thunder storm, cleared the
political atmosphere, and the
heart of the Caucasion spoke at
ter a silence of hundreds Of years
and the foot was lifted from the
4 neck Of the negro while he was
\ lifted to the heights of freedom.
MIR. Street was proud TO speak
from the same platform as one