Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-06-08
PRESIDENT At GETTYSBURG.
In Memorial Day Address He Pays
Tribute T. Heroes.

- GSNoNHs
"The place where we now are has won
a double distinction-here was fought
one of the great battles of all time and
here WAS spoken one of the few speeches
which shall last through the ages de-
clared President Roosevelt on the battle
field of Gettysburg, in opening his Me
mortal day address.
As President Roosevelt rose to speak
a downpour Of rain began and continued
throughout the time he addressed the
great assemblage. He was accorded an
enthusiastic reception, Notwithstanding
the rain, and the crowd Of 10000 people
in the cemetery remained to hear the
address despite the thorough drenching
it received.
AS long as this republic endures or its
history is known" continued the Presi-
dent, so long shall the memory or the
battle of Gettysburg likewise endure and
be known, ard as long as the English
tongue is undel stood so long shall Abra-
ham Lincolns Gettysburg speech thrill
the hearts of mankind.
"The Civil War +, as a great war for
righteousness; wan waged for the no
blest ideals, but wage1 also in thorough
going, practical fashion. 1t was one of
the few wars which mean, in their sue
cessful outcome. lift toward better
things for the nations o. mankind. Some
wars have meant the triumph of order
over anarchy and licentio, sness masque-
rading as liberty; some wars have meant
the triumph of liberty over tyranny mas
querading as order; but this victorious
war of ours meant the triumph of both
liberty and order, the triumph OF orderly
liberty. the bestowal of civil rights up
on the freed slaves, and al the sama
time the stern insistence on the supreln-
acy of the national law throughout the
length and breadth of the land
Moreover, this was one of those rare
Contests in which it was TO the lmmeas-
urable interest of the yanquished that
they should lose. while at the same time
the victors acquired the precious privi-
lege of transmitting to those who came
after them as a heritage of honor for
ever rot only the memory Of their own
valiant deeds. but the memory of the
deeds Of those who. no less yaliantly and
with equal sincerity Of purpose, fought
against the stars in their courses.
The war left To MS MI, as fellow coun-
trymen, as brothers. the right to rejoice
that the Union has been restored III in
destructible shape in country where
slavery no longer mocks the boast of
freedom, and also the right to rejoice
with ezutant pride in the courage. the
self-sacrifce. and the devotion. alike OF
the men who wore the blue and the men
who wore the gray.
He is n poor American who, looking
at this field. does not feel within him
self deeper reverence for the nations
past and a higher purpose to make the
nations future rise Level 10 her past.
Here fought the chosen soEs Of the
Nortl. and the South, the East and the
West.
Every spot on this field has its own
associations If soldierly duty nobly
done. of supreme self-sacri6ee freely
rendered. The names of the chiefs who
served IT. the two armies form a long
honor rcn. and the enlisted men were
worthy, and even more than worthy. Of
those who led them.
But the soldiers who won at Gettys-
burg. the soldiers who fought TO a finish
the Civil War and thereby made their
countrymen forever their debtors, have
left US far more oven than the memories
of the war itself They fought for four
years IN order tlat on tins contii ent
those who came after them. their chill
dren and their chi.arer's children. might
enjoy lasting peace. They took arms
not 70 destroy. but to save liberty; not
| to overthrow, bu' to establish the SUI
premacy of the law
"rhe crisis which they faced was TO
determine whether or not this people
was fit for self-government and there
fore fit FOR liberty. Freedom IS not a
Ri hich can be enjoyed save by those
who show themselves worthy Of il. In
this world no privilege can be perma-
rently appropriated by men who have
not the power and the win successfully
TO assume the responsibility Of using it
Alright.
To-day. MI over this land our people
meet to pay revereut homage to the dead
who died that the nation might live; and
we pay homage also to their comrades
who are still with us.
IAN are one now. the sons Of those
who wore the blue and the SONS of those
who wore the gray. and all can unite in
| paving respect to the memory OF those
who fell. each Of them giving his life
for his duty rs he saw il; and all should
be one in learning from the deaths Of
these men how 10 live usefElly while the
times call for the performance OF II =
countless necessary duties Of everyday
life. AVID how to hold ourselves ready 10
die nobly should the nation ever again
demand of her sous the ultimate proof
of loynlty.'