The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-06-03
THOUSANDS JOIN
IN THE EXERCISES
General Ed. s. Meyer Had I'm
Nmense Audience In the Tab
ernacle --Westiawn At
80. tracted Visitors.

The old soldier was king In Canton
Friday. Living, he was the hero Of the
hour; dead, he was held in grateful re-
membrance and upon his tomb ma
ture's sweetest offerings were laid and
from the lips of the orators much
praise was given.
In all the shops and factories Friday
was a holiday. At noon all business
was SUSPENDED and the thousands of
Canton citizens turned out to pay
tribute to the soldiers who sleep in
Westlawn and the ether cemeteries in
Canton.
1t was not alone to the dead that
homage was paid. The grlzzled vet
Grams of the rebellion, men who had
fought through the greatest war the
world ever saw. were in line two hun
dred strong. They were members of
the Mckinley and George d. Harter
posts.
When they formed upon the square
there were men still erect and strong
despite their years. but the greater
number were bent with age and broken
In health from the results of their
years in the ranks and weary months
in southern strife. There were SOL
diers from every battlefield of the war.
Some leaned heavily upon their canes
and walked with effort, yet when the
music gave the time they dropped into
step and their forms Strengthened, the
eyes frightened and once more they
were the veterans who had made the
cohntry famous upon many sangui-
naty field.
YOUNGER MEN WERE THERE.
In the rear was younger body Of
soldiers--young men In the prime of
their early manhood. who had, when
the country called. gone forth to meet
foreign foe and strike blow for Gu
ban liberty. Their task was not so
great. yet what they had to do they did
well. Cuba is free and the Canton
soldier had somewhat to do with ac-
complishing the end. These young
men gave first place to the veterans.
and the old soldiers in turn felt hon
ored that their boys were with them
on this day which is set aside for the
glorihcation of military heroes
The line formed and marched
to the tabernacle. where the program
arranged was carried out in every de-
tail. After the vast throng had crowd
ed iuto the building. the band played,
"Way Down South in the Land of Dix
ie." and followed with medley COM
posed of patriotic airs.
Col. J. ]. Clark, commander of the
post. introduced Judge M. e. Aungst
as president of the meeting. Mr..
Aungst expressed his gratitude for the
honor conferred upon him. He thought
that some soldier should have been
given the place.
"The observance of Decoration day
is peculiarly an American CUSTOM"
said Judge Aungst. 1T has been said
that republics are ungrateful, but when
We consider the observance Of this day,
this statement must be modified.
Never before In the history of Can
ton posts were there so many deaths
during one year. This is solemn and
imp essive fact and shows how death
is decimating the ranks of the surviv-
ors of the rebellion"
LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
Rev. DR.. John Hall was then intro
duced and offered a fervent prayer to
the God of nations. He returned
thanka to the Almighty that He had
raised up men who priced liberty more
than silver and gold who still keep
alive the illustrious names of the dead,
and asked a blessing upon those who
were willing to sacrifice their lives
upon the country's altar. but who were
saved from the carnage
The flower girls sang, FLOWERS for
the Brave" after which the president
stated that Col. Clark would read an
address of Abraham Lincoln, which
had taken its place among the classics,
the address at Gettysburg. Col Clark
then read the address afler which the
girls sang another selection, "One Flag
One Country"
General Ed s. Meyer. who had just
arrived In the city. came upon the
stage and was introduced as one who
had achieved distinction in military
and civil life. He came forward and
spoke as follows:
Comrades. ladies and gentlemen:
Truly. American people are once mors
gathering about the tomb of valor and