Fergus County argus., 1906-06-01
THE MEMORIAL
DAY EXERCISES
Continued from page u

with to guide their feet in discharg-
ing the duties and responsibilities
which appertain to the priceless boon
of American citizenship.
Among all our holidays Christmas
day is the most universally observed,
because it belongs to the Christian
people of the whole civilized world.
It is a day which brings JOY and glad
ness to millions of hearts and firesldes
for it concentrates the birth OF the
Master of Him whose lowly life was
the perfection of all that is gentle and
Just and charitable and forgivins in
human nature: whose simple code Of
laws and morals constitute a safe and
certain guide to all possible happiness
for both present and future. and whose
sorrows and sufferings, patiently borne
in behalf of humanity, have ever called
forth the profound pity and deep love
OF all mankind.
The Fourth of July is Of course. an
exclusively American institution 1t
Is the naJal day Of our liberty anl ~
dependence and is the most eventful
dav in all our history. because il is the
birthday OF the great republic. On
that day one hundred ana thirty years
ago there was promu gated 10 the world
the strange and new doctrine that hui
man governments are instituted for
the purpose Of securing the happiness
Of the people governed. and that all
meen are created equal That start.
ling declaration was the boldest assault
ever vet made on the prerogatiye Of
those who claimed to rule over their
feIlowmen by divine right And from
that moment 10 this kings and emper-
ors and arbitrary rulers have gradual
Iy been stripped Of their unjust and
absolute power over the lives and des-
TIMES of men. And may | here ex-
press the hope that the day is not far
distant when every kingly crown and
every despotic sceptre shall have
crumplei and fallen, when all distinc-
tions Of class and birth shall have
been swept away; when industry, in
tegrty morality, intelligence, learn
ing and patriotism shall be the only
passports to honor and greatness. and
when every civilized nation shall have
been brought under the benelicent RUE
OF a free. repre- sentative and Repubi
can form Of government such as VIC
ourselves njoy. where the rulers ar,
the servants of the people a govern
ment which has made us -ha richest
most powerful ana mo>t potent inflI
ence for good among the nations of til,
world.
And then we have THANKSGIVING day
bequeathed TO us by he sturdy OLE
Pilgrim fathers in recognition am
gratitude Tor the bounteous gifts Of
generous Providence. We have Wash
inglon's birthday, dedicated to tn
memory Of the first ana greatest Of al
Americans-one OF the grandest am
stateliest figures to be found in al
history. We have Iincoln's birthday
which brings back to Us the gentl
life and the cruel martyrdom of on
of the truest, sweetest and kindlies
characters the world has ever knowr
And now we are coming 10 a yer
general observance of the birthday G
that latest martyr to civilization an
human progress, the innocent victir
OF anarchy's evil teachings. William
Mckinley. a man whose life was
bencdiction to his fellowmen and al
inspiration to every youth in our lant
And in recent years another da
has been set apart in recognition G
the dignity OF labor and in honor O
that vast multitude OF our fellow cit
zens who earn their living by manua
toll and through the medium Of who's
Drawn and brain and muscle come
the wealth Of the nation. For il i
true rhal all wealth comes from th
earth through the channels Of labor
and that the raw materials which fiji
the vast stOrehOuses OF nature, 70
supplying every human want and nee,
are useless and yalueless until mould
ed and fashioned 10 mans use am
enjoyment by the magic touch Of toi
But the sad causes which led TO III
Inauguration of The day we have gatl
cred here TO observe mark il as sepa
ate and apart from all other holiday
In the nature OF its origin. it's sorroy
ful memories and associations. il
not a day for noisy demonstration, iu
ilation, nor for festivities and rejoi
lnss. II is rather a day for serio,
contemplations. for patriotic reaction
Tor enobling sentiments and elevate,
Ideals. 1t is day when | believe '
may indulge a little introspectio
when we should examine our own N
uVes. inspect our own consciences al
endeaVor TO lift ourselves above t
grosser considerations OF life to a hie
er and nobler plane And, above a
il is a day and a time for an earne
contemplation of the commendat
deeds and virtues of those whose me-
ory We honor, and for resolving
emulate all that was good and wortl
in their lives