The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-20
GOVERNORS
PROCLAMATION
Is ISSUED
Governor Ferguson Issues
One for Memorial Day
IN FL0WERY LANGUAGE
Asks 0klahomanS to Observe
Day Fittingly
IN FLOWERY LANGUAGE

Guthrie, o. T, May lS.-Governor 1. B.
Ferguson today issued his annual Memo
rial day proclamation, as follows:
Patriotism is the corner stone OF ma
tionaI grandeur. Commenwealths be-
come great in proportion as the sentiment
OF love for country and devotion TO flag
is promoted among the people. our na-
tion has the best civilization that has
ever been known because its spirit Of
patriotism has had no rival in any age
OF the worlds history. The approach
ing SOth day OF May will afford another
opportunity for the people of our beloved
land TO manifest their gratitude 10 the
heroes of the army and navy who conse-
Grated their lives to liberty.
1T has. been from time immemorial
the custom of nations to indulge in ny
pocrisy's soulless mourning. The rostrum,
the sacred desk, the halls of art. the
sculptor's ch-sel. the painters brush, the
songster's melody and the poets imag
ination have all been used 10 attribute to
departed reputed greatness virtues that
it never possessed and deeds that were
never its own. The gilded mausoleum
and the bronze statue have evev been
used by other nations TO perpetuate the
memory of the great and express senti-
meuts in which the masses never Joined
and record history OF which the people
knew but little and cared less. Not so
with US when We assemble on Decoration
day to strew upon heroes graves beauti-
full emblems of heartfelt love and undy-
ing devotion 10 the memory of our ma
tons dead. The fragrant flowers which
We wreathe are visible tokens of a sin
cerity which is felt far beyond the power
of expression.
The soldiers OF the union wrot a new
history. Their work was an important
factor in the march OF civilization. They
rewrote the constitution of the United
States and wrote an explanatory COM
mentary on the declaration of independ-
ence. Yes, they wrote a history that all
may read. They wrote il on the dizzy
heights of Lookout mountain. In letters
Of inspiration they chronicled it upon
the storm-swept field of Stone river.
They wrote it upon the blood-stained
slopes at Gettysburg. at Shiloh. and OF
a hundred other fields of fame and glory
they wrote the story of freedoms con
quest. Again. there are new claims upoi
our love and gratitude which must no
be forgotten. Within recent years thc
roll OF the drum beating for volunteer
has been heard in our land. Patriots
again responded TO the call, and in III,
burning heat OF the southern sun. una
the tropical skies OF Cuba. in the jungles
and among the swamps Of the far-awas
Philippines. upon the land and upon tia
sea. our soldier boys in the late Spanish
war have upheld the honor and main
tanned the glory Of the starry banner o
our republic. Let US strew flowers fo
them. They are enshrined in every loya
heart.
''The purpose of Decoration day is no
TO celebrate the triumph of the victo
over the vanquished. but with malic'
toward none and charity for all 10 ten
DERBY perpetuate the memory OF thos
who died in a sacred cause. Then let III
wreathe flowers and place them upor
the graves of our patriotic dead. Le
us show our love and appreciation by na
ture's tenderest symbols They have lef
us If they pitch their tents. il is no
on the camping ground Of time. II the.
march. IL Is not 10 earth's music Pa
away over on the shores Of the Grea
Eternal they bivouac together. no NOR
70 Iseep step 20 the music OF the war. N
more TO listen TO the bugle call TO bat
tie but to listen with joy and raptur
10 the gentle murmurings OF that beau
tifuI stream that makes glad the cit
Of God as it leaves with ripping som
the dreamless shores OF the realms o
the blest
Therefore. 7 recommend that the 30tl
day OF May. 1919. day authorized by Law
! and established by custom. he obssrve'
in an approopri- manner By the peopl
Of Oklahoma. and that all the citizen
join with the Gran Army OF the Re
public in patriotic exercises and pay trib
utes Of honor TO the memory Of the sol
diers Of the army and navy who hay
fallen in the service OF their country.
Given under my hani and the grea
| seal OF the territory Of Oklahoma. AZ tn
! city OF Guthrie, this 18th - ~ May
1eos. 7. Z FERGUSON.
Governor.
BY ths Governor:
WM. GRIMES.