The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1903-06-05
HONOR FOR NATIONS HEROES.
Loving Tribute Of Praise and Bios
som to the Dead.
Soldiers Of the Civil War March in Mem
CRY Of Gallant Men who Fought in
Nations Defense-H. W. Stewart
Gives the Soldiers EuIOgy.

As the light broke upon the 3oth
day Of May, 1903, the sky was dotted
with clouds, and as they moved leis-
urely along, the sun burst through the
riffs with resplendsnt beauty. Il was
Decoration day. Nature was clad
for the occasion. The somber curtains
overhead seemed to wear a face Of sad
remembrance for the honored dead,
while the bursts Of golden sunshine
mantled the earth with a sweet smile Of
love for the surviving soldiers and the
patriotic hearts Of the nation.
Early in the morning the stars and
stripes played in the breeze, from the
fronts Of the buildings and from flag
stats. The air was contagious with the
spirit Of patriotism Perhaps never be-
fore in the history Of this city we're there
such visible signs Of reverence and de-
votion for the day and its meaning.
The increasing veal Of our country has
been accompanied with increasing love
Aged men and women, young men and.
maidens, ali find a new Joy in the ami
versary Of Decoration day.
1t was after ten o'clock in the fore
noon when the old soldiers formed in
line, in front of the Memorial hall, fol-
lowed by the Relief Corps and the child
ren.
Already many people had gone to the
cemetery and spread flowers upon the
graves Of loved ones As the eye be-
held the grassy mounds strewn with
blossoms. from the east side Of the
grounds to the west side, where the dec
orations figured against the marble tab
lets of the soldiers group, huttering
with flags, the scene vas beautiful and
impressive.
The services Of the @. A. R. ritual
were held over the IL or u soldiers
graves and brief remarks made by Com
rade J. 81. Stewart.
Little sprinkles of ram now and then
hurried the work of decoration, yet it
was almost noon before the cemetery
was left to its quiet solitude.
The threatening appearance of storm
clouds had passed when two o'clock
came, the time for the services at the
opera house. The west front seats of
the hall were occupied by the q. A. R.
On the rostrum were seated the W. r.
c., the choir, and others IN charge of the
services. The seating capacity of the
opera house was taxed to its utmost
limit. Five hundred people, or more,
were crowded within its walls, and
many were turned away from the lack
of room.
Commander J. A. Trent called the
meeting to order. The choir sang
America" for the opening hymn, after
which Rev. G. P. Miller gave the iuvo-
cation. Lincoln's Gettysburg speech
was read. The choir sang an anthem,
and then came the Grafton by Herbert
". Stewart. The chairman, in intrOduc-
ing the speaker, said that the observance
of Decoration day is indeed a solemn &C.
casion and is becoming more and more
significant among the commemorative
days of the nation.
There was perfect quiet in the hall
during the delivery of the Grafton. Mr..
Stewart, who appeared to be full of in
tellectual strength and pathos for the
occasion, said in part:
"When Abraham Lincoln was inaug-
urated president Of the United States,
he took the reins Of a government that
Law in ruins. The army of 5000 men
was scattered to different parts of the
country; the navy had been sent to re-
mote seas; the treasury was empty; the
custom houses, navy yards, arSenals,
forts and pOstOfhces, in the seeding
territory. were seized; seven states had
already passed ordinances Of secession;
the border states were rebellious in
spirit; England, France, Spain and
= Portugal recognized the belligerency
Of the confederate states early in 1861;
the ablest generals Of the army went
over to the cause; southern leaders in
and out of congress fred the southern
heart with vehement elOQuence; q
steamer sent to bear supplies to Fort
Sumpter had been fred upon in Jan
uary, and the rebel leaders declared
that any attempt to relieve the fort
would be regarded as q declaration of
war. The conspiracy Of 80 years had
eliminated in open rebeiiiOul
"Wsr was forced upon the national
authority; there was no putting by the
gauntlet thrown at the nations feet.
Grim Vissged war had raised his Wrin-
kIed front, and thus was ushed IN the
greatest war in history.
5000 miles from east to west, Loo miles
from north to south. There were 90
100000 people on the one side and
100000 on the other, with 100000
slaves. a coast 900 miles in length
was blockaded with 400 ships. In the
short space of years fighting occurred
in 81 states and territories, with the
sangainary record of more than {, OOC
battles an3 sl1irmishes. The senses be
come bewiIdered when We see 1855, O0Q
boys in blue passing from the peaceful
shadows Of home to the turbulent
scenes Of war. But the saddest Of all
is the fact, that Of this great host Of
men, $4,000 gave up their lives for the
union. The civil war cost, in ali, 200,
coo lives. to say nothing Of a six billion
dollar incubus fastened upon the
north, and one Of two billion upon th'
south from the loss Of slaves alone
Pen has no name, nor i'm 3ginRtion nc
picture which can portray the suffering
and idesOlation OF this fratricjdRi war
Affection smiled; Sorrow sat. eB
throned; but al the while God stoOs
within the shade IS and guided safely
-.