Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-10-09
Address Given at Lincoln High
School by Register Of Deeds
E. A. Upham.
WAR is NOT NECESSARY
TO TRUE PATRIOTISM
Splendid Opportunities in This
City to Secure Liberal
Education.

oSAOA StocSo C1O IL OSllOOl w CbhSOtoJ
morning on the subject of ''Patriotism
and Education" The address was
both interesting and Instructive and
held the undivided attention of all
present. Mr.. Upham said in part:
cit is the duty Of every citizen OF
this or any other country, when
called upon to perform any honorable
duty for the public, to accept that
obligation and discharge his duty to
the best of his ability. Having been
requested to speak to youa few mo-
mentS this morning, | confess it was
with some degree of reluctance that
[ accepted this obligation, meyer hav-
ing been placed in like position be-
fore.
Important Questions.
81 invite your attention for short
time on the subject Of Patriotism and
Education Many of the young
people are apt to look lightly upon
these questions as they are pursuing
their studies and do not fully realize
what the development unity and
magnitude of this country has cost.
While we all learn in the study of
history of the various periods Of
settlement and progress made, we do
not always stop to consider what our
forefatherS endured, from the time
they landed on our Eastern shores to
the present time. We learn Of a few
hardy settlers coming to this country
and struggling against many obstacles,
enduring many privations and hard
ships, we learn of their efforts and
progress as the years go by.
"We learn of their formulating GER
tain laws and establishing forms Of
government, believing they were en-
titled to the reward of their own
labors. We learn of the gradual en-
crouchment of Great Britain in
assuming to dictate to and control
the people who had by their toll and sa-
crifces built up many settlements and
were gradually expanding their scope
of territory until the laws and edicts
promulgated by the British crown be-
come SO oppressive that the war of
the Revolution was declared, and
only by a careful study of the condi-
tlonS prevailing at that time, can you
in very remote degree comprehend
the length and breadth of that strUg-
gle,
Noble Deeds of Patriots.
"The many noble and patriotic lives
that were given to the cause OF
liberty, to recite many Of these in
dividual cases would require more
time than [ have at my disposal but
| can not refrain from calling your
attention to the example of Capt
Nathan Hale, who, acting as a spy
for the American forces, was captured
and executed by the British. History
tells us that i'll reply TO the taunts
Of his executioners, just before his life
was snuffed out, he said his only re
gret was that he had but one life tC
give for his country. What noble
example of true patriotism!
"We see these patriots wiz
victories until finally the British are
compelled to surrender and acknoWl
edge our Independence. We see ou
country rapidly grow and expant
during which time many importan
incidents of a historical nature occur
until finally a cloud appears upor
the horizon and we are plunged int
civil war-a war that has never beer
equaled in the history Of this worlC
for its severity and loss OF life.
Heroic Struggle OF Civil War.
''No tongue can describe, no picture
can portray to you the awful carnag,
wrought and the thousands ant
thousands of sacrifices made during
that four years of struggle. Should
you ask yourself why that war laStet
so long, just remember that American
citizens met American citizens
patriots met patriots, and neithe
would yield, and we see our flag bory
home by our victorious troops with
out one star eraced nor one blot there
on to tarnish it's splendor.
Loyalty Of Young Men.
"When the news went forth from