Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-06-04

these heroes and their brethren
in the Southern Colonies, there
appeared mighty advocates for
the people, attacking tyranny
and insulting disregard for
their rights with a more in
tense enthusiasm; with flaming
lip, burning eye, and voice
touched with Divine pleading;
until the great state paper, the
Declaration of independence
was signed and given to the
! cause of humanity. The end
was not yet.
independence firmly estab-
lished, patient thinkers with
profound convictions, and or
ators touched with the spirit of
Wexford, Runnymede, the May
flower and independence Hall,
inspired Abraham Lincoln to
produce the greatest state
paper-the Emancipation Pro-
clamation.
To the Veterans here assem-
bled, just from the sacred act
of decorating the graves of
their departed comrades, it
must be with jeweled memories
they recount the glorious part
they took in this great achieve
ment.
Only in a small way can we
ever pay our debt of gratitude.
Ourselves, we should grant, and
teach our children to give their
utmost respect and veneration
to those, who in our time of
peril, upheld the flag.
Within the past ten days,
acting for the pension bureau,
it was my privilege to examine
a veteran for increased pension.
He came tottering, led by his
aged wife, borne down by the
weight of eighty-nine years and
calmly submitted to the exam
nation. When about to de-
part asked himif he regretted
having enlisted and endured
the exposures and privations of
the army.
His eyes frightened with
patriotic fire, his soul stirred
with the echoes of martial
music, his breast heaved with
the excitement of battle, as he
replied: "No, sir, more than
forty years of peace and pros
perity have taught me that the
Union was worth saving, and |
am proud that have a son who
! also fought for the peace, which
| trust will endure forever.
With such heroes and their
descendants still among us, we
need have no fear for the per
petuity of our Government.
The mission of the Republic
is not finished. The truth de-
clared in former instruments
will go on, searching the hearts
and consciences of men, until
another great and important
state paper shall be written.
The hour demands a man of
wisdom, power, courage and
conviction, and above all whose
every tissue of brain, nerve and
heart are surcharged with a
sense of Justice.
Not a Cromwell, nor a Robe
spierre, but one like the Christ,
touched with the feelings of
our infirmities,' who can lay
the strong arm of authority
upon the invasion of combined
capital, and say, so far and no
farther. Thou shalt not opress.
And to the wage Garner, he
shall declare that upon obed-
fence to the law, rest, order, the
home, and the state. / believe
such a leader can take the hand
of capital and the hand of labor
and join them in an indissoluble
union forever.
| believe we have, as the
heritage of the ages, the man
for this supreme duty Theo-
dore Roosevelt.
1t gives me great pleasure to
introduce to you, Hon. Walter
|: Smith, our able representa-
tive in Congress, and the friend
of the soldier, at the Pension
Court.
Hon. w. |. Smith addressed
the meeting and said in part:
That while this day was spe-
cially set apart in honor of the
civil war, at this time our hearts
pay tribute to all soldiers of any
war who gave themselves to
preserve the integrity of the
country. AS years roll by we
are apt to make a mistake as to
what these soldiers fought for.