Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-06-01

On decoration day many of our bust
ness houses were closed, some of them,
and also many residences in the city bore
decorations in honor of the occasion.
At half past nine o'clock members of
Dan S. Root Post to the number of about
40 and the Womens Relief Corps of
about the same number together with a
number of school children, marched to
Bridge street bridge where the beautiful
water service in honor Of the sailors and
marines was observed in presence of
large crowd. w. H. Hedges and w. B.
Taylor, of Ionia, conducting the devotion
al exercises and Commander Olds and
Mrs. Coyille the ritualistc part of the
service. During the exercises the officers
of the Relief Corps and children from our
schools strewed flowers into the water in
memory of those whose lives had been
given up for their country from our navy
service. At the close of these exercises
the Post and Relief Corps marched to
the Methodist church where the address
Of the day was to be given. A large au
dience was present Commander Olds
called to order and called upon Adjutant
of Post, Frank r. Chase, to reae general
orders from headquarters, after which
Major Chase also read Lincoln's grand
address at Gettysburg given at the dedi-
cation Of the national cemetery in 1862,
grand words, the repetition of which
touches tender cord in the heart Of
every old soldier and inspires feeling of
patriotism in all.
Rev. H. N. Spear led the large audience
in prayer, Mrs. |. L. Hubbel and Miss
Merl Stall sang the beautiful duet-O
Mourning Land; Mr.. w. R. Olds in few
well chosen words gave most excellent
short address; the choir composed of Mrs.
|. L. Hubbell, Miss Mer Stall, Rev. A.
Secord and Mr.. Geo. Wagner. furnished
appropriate music for the occasion and
and then followed the address Of the day.
most masterful effort by Dwight c.
| Sheldon.
After thanking the G. A. r. Post for
inviting him to participate actively in the
ceremonies of the day. He said in part:
Today throughout our national COM
monwealth the mad whirl of commercial
and industrial life has lapsed to repose as
effectually as though in compliance with
the uplifted hand Of silencng power,
and millions Of appreciatve American
citizens, unified by the common sentiment
Of patriotism, are doing homage in mem
DRY Of these patriots, who by their deeds
of yalor on land and on sea. created, pre-
served and glorfied our union.
1t is indeed fitting that these services
are conducted with religious soemnity in
this temple Of worship for piety and pa
triotsm are closely allied. The potency
Of these kindred sentiments working in
the breast Of American citizenship has
evolved our unsurpassed governmental
institutions Bishop Simpson once said,
mail the flag just below the cross
Christ and country-nothing can come
between and nothing can prevail against
Patriotism is that instinct in each human
heart to defend the thing it loves. 1t in
spired the immortal words of Thomas
jefferson written in the preface to the
Declaration Of independence, "A men
are created equal"
In describing the hour Of the nations
birth contemporary said, The Star
Spangled Banner climbed the staff, its
folds were caught by the light wind as
thirteen guns Numbered from the block
houses, one for each colony that had
brayed king" Though the great army
has long since, to the muffled roll, cross
ed the great divide, and in peace bivouaced
upon the silent shores OF eternity, yet
their deeds Of valor still live and will live
so long as man, for they have written the
first chapter Of our national history in
deeds Of self-sacrifice and patriotic devo-
ton. When actual war bee anne immi- |
nent a pail Of gloom settled over the ma
ton shutting out every vestige Of the sun
light Of peace. In this hour OF crisis
there arose from obscurity. as though
preordained Of God, human being, child
like in simplicity Of manner, rough in APP
pearance, but the embodiment Of homely |
virtues, the grandest character Of Amer |