The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1903-06-05

wings over all the land. Yet the prob
lem was solved, and there is now but
one Interpretation to the declaration
that all men are born free and equal
and endowed with certain inalienable
rights.
Thirty-seven years later we made the
demand that the same principle should
be enforced among other people in an
other land. For some years we listened
to the horrid tales that came across the
waters. The American heart was
stirred to its depth. The nation was
rocked in storm Of sympathy. Then
to crown all, the Maine-a grand battle
ship of our nation-lying peacefully in
Havana's harbor as guest of the
Spanish government, was stricken to
death by the hand of treachery, and
sinking beneath the tide, carried down
266 brave men. Then freemen and
lovers of freedom rose in their might to
establish equality of rights among the
citizens of another land. Again our
nation spent millions of treasure and
many precious lives were lost, but it
was one nations humanity in conflict
with another nations inhumanity and
humanity triumphed.
We today pay tribute to the heroism
and patriotism of those who fell in war,
or surviving it have passed away amid
scenes of peace.
But we cannot forget the important
part woman has played in war. In
truth, upon her rested the heaviest bur-
den of all-the supreme anguish of
suspense. Woman's hand was busy pre-
pairing and sending supplies to the front.
Overcoming the timidity natural to her
sex she went forth to minister in hospi-
tai and on battlefield. Her voice spoke
comfort and hope to the wounded and
dying. In '9S when the call for volun-
teer nurses came, a young woman born
in this town of Byron was one Of the
first to respond. Ellen May Tower was
the good angel to our Michigan boys
and others at Montank Point.
Woman's gentle ministry was needed in
Porto Rico and Miss Tower was the
first to offer her services. There, it was
her hand that dressed the wounds and
cooled the fevered brow; it was her
voice that spoke messages of cheer, her
tears that fell upon the dead. Early in
November she fell victim to the dread
fever and on the 9Th of December her
beautiful spirit went back to God. As
we think of her life we recall the words
spoken by the enemies of our Lord.
Standing under the shadow of his cross.
they exclaimed, HE saved others, him.
self he cannot save And they were
right. Jesus could not save himself
and be the Savior of others. So may
we say of Ellen May Tower: "She
saved Others herself she could not save. ;"
She gave her all for others. Today we
seek to give expression to our love for
her in the erection and dedication Of
this monument.
She proffered upon the altar of her
patriotism all she had to give-herself.
Was it not a precious giftP Then TO
Ellen May Tower, who In the line of
duty was heroic and self-forgetful shall
this monument be the memorial. II
tells that her deeds are remembered and
will be carried to the generations of the
future. This monument, so beautiful
so fitting, shall carry to other years tbe
noble inspiring story of her life. II
shall carry also the helpful story of the
gratitude of men, women and children
Its mission then is a glorious one. II
may, it ought, with increasing years 70
become more significant still, as IL tells