The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-06-02
Decoration Day.

Decoration day in Paw Paw was spent
by our citizens in a manner appropriate
to the day, no games or sports of any
kind being held. The program of exer-
cises given in last weeks issue was car
ried out in full. A procession marched
to the cemetery in the morning, where
exercises were held at the grave of Com
rade Jennings, and in the afternoon the
program at the opera houses called out
full audience, and those in attendance
were well pleased with the exercises.
Rev. G.. Il. Huffer gave a scholarly
address, for which he received many
compliments and from it are taken these
extracts:
"War is wrong to man and thing of
hatred to God. Yet amidst our peace
and plenty, and the progress of our age,
the sound of strife comes to us from over
the sea and our pulses beat faster in
sympathy for the vanquished and Joy
for the victor. But to-day the throb of
drum and tread of marching feet in our
own land turn US back to that four years
OF sanguinary struggle when brothers
and fellow citizens were arrayed in the
accoutrements of war and in hostile at
titude. As we pay our tribute of love to
the sleeping heroes, the heart throbs
with JOY and gratitude in recognition of
debt that can never be paid.
"When Lee and Meade faced each
other at Gettysburg, the fate of the re.
/ public hung in the balance and the
drums of Lee, as they beat the retreat,
] Ha1 ha h.
federacy which was finished at Apo
matox. But the death throes we're also
! the birth pangs of a great cause. The
nation had been struggling under an i'm
mense burden. AS the warship becomes
/ foul with barnacles and sea plants so
| the ship Of state had her hull befouled
with the incubus of slavery, and the tide
of fortune did not turn for the north
until the immortal Lincoln signed the
/ declaration that freed four millions Of
! slaves. But it was more than the eman-
/ cipation of the slaves. 1t was the real
/ ization of purpose running through
/ the ages. To the army of the republic
belongs the sublime honor of consum-
mating and actualizng the brotherhood
of man. The declaration OF independ-
/ ence had declared all men born free and
/ equal and yet their original intention
| had not been to separate from the mother
country. But the divine purpose ordered
otherwise Independence was step in
| the movements of the ages.
1--WE might be proud to be a citizen
of any other nation, but there is sanity
/ in our pride in America and our hearts
are fired as we look upon the remnant of
that great army and note the flag decked
graves in the cemetery. These speak
more eloquently than words War is
curse, but the price of progress often.
Today we recall the price of the brother
hood of man. The boys in blue paid
/ that cost. Great were the leaders, but
as Grant said, it was the thousands be-
hind the leaders who won the vicrory.
/ The deaths, wounds and burdens were
too great price for the preservation of
the union. 1t was the larger heritage
for humanity they gave the world. Ger
minating in JUDAISM, the blood of mil
lions watered it until it bore fruit in the
generation of the grand army. To-day
lays upon us greater duty than TO make
demonstration. 1t is a recognition Of
an everlasting debt and an obligation to
preserve and enlarge that heritage.
"The legacy, however, is not to be
maintained without struggle. The
fruits of victory must be watched and
cared for in our day. There is no need
of alarm, yet we must be alert.
Industrial and social questions of the
day jeopardize our heritage. Trusts,
monopoies and unions which deny free
competition and exclude tie public from
its own thoroughfares approach ty-
ranny and despotism which subverts real
freedom. When there is growing dis
respect for law and fostering of class
hatred, we need the spirit of Decoration
day to refresh our patriotism and prevent
the cause of freedom and brotherhood
from miscarrying. The institution which
suppresses aud denies individual enter
prise and fosters men irrespective of
merit and initiative is peril to personal
rights and liberty. That which restricts
brotherhood to class or union is foreign
to the genius of our government and the
principle purchased by the boys In blue.
1--WE rejoice in our legacy; we honor
and cherish the memory of those who
met death in the southland, an Offering
on their country's altar; we pay tribute
to those who have gone to the beyond,
having responded to their country's need.
Yet the truest honoring of their memory
will be the appreciation of their handi-
work and the preservation of the prin-
ciples for which they fought
We believe Decoration day should be
free from anything that will detract
from its patriotic observance, and are
pleased to say that the exercises of the
day in our midst were such that it will
instill reverential spirit toward those
who offered up their lives to their
country.
Among the Clubs and Societies.