The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-06-04

business were closed in
the afternoon, during
the parade, the exercises at the fair
grounds and while the beautiful cere-
mony at the G.. A. r. lot in Oak Knoll
was observed. The day was all that
could be desired, and while the weather
was a trife cool in the morning, the al
ternoon was very agreeable, and almost
ideal weather for Decoration day, es-
pecially so for marching.
There was a large crowd in town.
The morning train brought q lot Of
people from neighboring: points, while
country folks drove in from all points,
some coming long ways to see Prince
ton observe Memorial day.
The parade formed according to pro-
gram and reached the fair grounds at
about , o'clock. The old soldiers and
members of the L. A. S. were given
seats directly in front of the speakers
stand, and the grand stand was filled,
while the grounds in front OF the stand
were crowded with private rigs and
cOnveyances.
Alexander Hughes of Minneapolis
who was to have delivered the address
in place of Perry Starkw Gather of that
city who could not be present, owing to
an accident, came up with his wife Fri
day evening, but after reaching here
hot Io ,,-o,,1I 1o +o Ia
the address as his throat was troubling
him, having made an address in Loring
Park, Minneapolis that afternoon. He
notified the local committee who Sc
cured G.. A. Dickey to deliver the adj
dress. and Notwithstanding the short
notice Mr.. Dickey had in which to pre-
pare himself his address was much bet
ter than that of many persons who have
had several days instead of but few
hours in which to prepare a speech.
The balance of the program at the fair
grounds was as published in the UNION
last week.
Mr.. Dickey's address was one Of
great interest to all classes, not only
the old soldiers, but the business man.
the man of the field and workshop and
the children as we'll. He said that
Memorial day had become the typical
American day. The Fourth of July
had lost much of it's meaning in it's
celebration by the American people,
and young America now kept the day
with much noise and patriotic devotion,
while Memorial day, commemorating
the gallant deeds of our soldiers was
now observed throughout the country
in a way BETTING it's Importance.
Great wars and conflicts were mile
stones of history, marking the progress
of events. Memorial day was observed
to perpetuate the noble deeds and sac
rifce of the soldiers who achieved VIC
tory in the Civil war. When the COL
onies rebelled because of taxation with
out representation, and the immortal
document, the declaration of independ-
ence was framed, and it was asserted
that all men are created equal, and
were entitled to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness, our forefathers,
the speaker thought, erred knowingly
when they maintained in serfdom the
black man, who was to be freed by the
great Civil conflict.
Selfshness was found in all people,
but Notwithstanding mans greed and
averice nations and people were as a
rule just, and great issues were settled
on this basis.
A grand tribute was paid to the old
soldiers, both the living and the dead,
and their sacrifice was a great object
lesson to the youth of the land who
must be entrusted with the govern
ment in few years. They might see
in the record of those whose memory is
revered by Memorial day observance,
an example that would tend to make
them truer and better citizens. The
day should be so kept and observed
that our children would become more
loyal, and then, also that those who
come to our shores from foreign climes
to become citizens might know what
sacrifice was made by our soldiers in
order to preserve the Union and make
here refuge and free government for
the people from every nation of the
whole earth.
The observance of Memorial day
should be in such a spirit that our
children and foreigners who know lit
tie of our history would not look upon
it as meaningless and devoid of sacred