Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-06-07
boy in A|TI0.
Under Auspices of 6. A R. and
W.RC. if was Most Fittin9ly
Observed
Eloquent Address by Hon. J. ". Ames

ELOQUENT AqITeSS py non. }. " AWeS
over forty years have passed since the
war clouds I'm the south concentrated
and over Fort Sumpter the IRON hail fcl
until the fortress surrendered. Thai
was the beginning of the war for the dc
struction of the Union. In the terrible
four years that followed. more of ouI
sons We're SLAIN i'm battle than EPglano
has lost i'm the eight hundred years that
she has been nation. We fought NOR,
awful bloody battles than any other
nation in existence ON the earth more
than one hundred ana twenty-five
thousand were actually killed in battle
nearly three thousand were wounded
two hundred thousand died i'm hospitals,
and seventy-onc thousand died IN rebel
prisons. all that the nation might bc pre-
served. Their deeds of valor and bray
cry will never bc forgotten 80 long as
memory holds sacred heroic acts. and
so long as liberty shall last, laurels Will
be placed i'm memory of the hero who
fought for the defense of the country :
flag
Never since the cdict of Gen. John y.
Logan. that ~oldicr-idol Of the people.
on May 9Th lSGS, has Decoration Day
been observed throughout the states
with more sincerity and popular accord
than in 1901. In this village. hundreds
of people congrcgated TO do honor TO
the occasion. Whether it was because
the weather-man' fathcris command
er of the GAR, deponent saith not but
the day was faultlcss one in every re-
spect
Very appropriate services were held
at the Wright cemetery in the forenoon.
conducted 10y VIM. Meyer Post. GAR.
and W.RC assisted by the teacher and
pupils of the Wright school
The exercises in this village were held
in the afternoon, and opened in the
opera house at 300 O'Clock. Shortly
before this hour, the band marched TO
the college and escorted the students 20
the hall. and il was with some difficulty
that all were able to find seats "a the
house was pretty well filed and many
who came later were unable TO gam adj
mission The exercises opened with
music 10y the high school chorus fol
lowed by invocation 10y Rev. J. Chzbe.
g
ceremonies, and in his opening gave
brief, but appropriate address. The
welcoming address and official orders
were read bv Commander V NJ. Wilson,
and Adjt. John Greig. DR.. Pringle
gave a ten minute talk 10 the members
of the order, and was followed by w.
A. Bahlke. president of the village Mr..
Bahlke gave a short but able address;
he charged the people TO always keep in
remembrance the services and sacrifices
of the noble and patriotic men who
fought that the union might be pre-.
served. that such occasions as these
teach patriotism TO the young, and was
pleased to see so much interest taken
on this occasion by the teacher, and
pupils of our schools throughout the
land.
At the close Of the address, the orator
of the day Hon. j. w. Ames, of De
troit was introduced. Mr.. Amcs gave
an eloquent address; he paid glowing
tribute to the boys who wore the blue,
also 70 the members of the, w r. c..
and soldiers of the Spanish sh-Amcrican
War, number Of the latter being pres
ent We will not try to quote from the
address as it would be almost impossible
to give even brief conception of the
effort. 1t is hoped that we
may be able TO have him with us again
on some future occasion.
The exercises closed with a cornet solo
Tramp, Tramp" by r.. ID. Wagner and
singing of "America" by the audience.
Hundreds of people were in waiting up
on the streets and the procession was
quickly formed, and in the following
order: Alma Band, members of com
mon council, G. A. r., w r. O., Alma
Fire Department, pupils of the union