The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1906-06-01

weather conditions, were of the usual
character. At 10 a. m the veterans,
school children aud citizens formed in
line in front of the G.. A. r. hall and
headed by the Paw Paw band proceeded
to the cemetery, where the exercises
were held AT the grave of Comrade
Henry Drown. The graves of the de-
parted comrades, 20 in number, we're
decorated with flags and flowers, pre-
senting a beautiful appearance. After
the ceremonies we're over all returned to
the village and dispersed to their homes
In the afternoon the Grand Army, pre-
ceeded by the band and company of
school children and followed by the w.
r. &. was escorted to the opera house
where the exercises of the afternoon
we're held. Rev. Mumford opened them
with prayer, the male quartette, consist
ing of Messrs Mosier, Ayars, Cummings
and HawOrth led the audience in singing
America" This was followed by flag
drill given by the pupils of the public
school. Several recitations, an oration
by Leo Mather, and then the oratiou of
the day given by Judge Heckert. That
the audience was pleased was evidenced
by the applause given the Judge at fire.
queut intervals He spoke In part as
follows:
"The American soldier is and always
has been an object of solicitude on the part
of the Nation. In every war, from the
French and Indian war in 1856, to the
suppression of the insurgents in the
PHILIPPINES, he has acquitted himself
with courage and patriotism.
The French and Indian war is some
times called the seven year war. The
| French formed an alliance with the In
dians and attempted to wrest the north
west territory FROM the colonies by
marching to the Ohio and building Fort
city of Pittsburg. 1t was IL a campaign
operating from the banks of the Poto-
mac, under the leadership of Gen. Brad
dock In which be lost his life, that the
French design was thwarted, and this
vast territory was preserved for the
American Republic The genius of
Washington, in his youug manhood, was
the potent and directing influence in
this Achievement.
The revolutionary struggle for inde-
pendence was precipitated about 20 years
afterwards. The house of Brunswick
became alarmed at the growing spirit
for liberty, and the kings soldiers mas
sacred the citizens of Boston like dogs in
its streets. Three years later the decla-
ration of independence was promulgated
and the world notified that the colonies
''are and of right ought to be free and
independent states" The struggle then
began in earnest aud after seven years of
fighting, retreating, suffering, depriva-
ton and Valley Forge the declaration
was made good. No people ever made
such Titanic efforts to demonstrate to
Kings and the world that self govern
ment was possible and that hereditary
rule was a snare and delusion. Free
government prior to that had failed
Were the high ideals of that struggle to
succeed or were they to terminate in
miserable failureY Were the heroes who
whipped the British lion until he purred
like kitten to be at last shown to have
been guided by an ignus fatum, or we're
the pages of the worlds history to glow
with the refulgence OF glorious achieve
ments ia the interest of humanity? Were
the fiery zeal, loyalty and devotion of the
maids and matrous who stood behind
these patriots, cheering them on to deeds
of valor, to place a stigma on the char
to stand forth like blazing star in the
! trmamentY
"Was Deborah Sampson, who fought
in disguise and received pension and
grant of lands for her services, a myth?
Was Rebecca Mott, who furnished light
ed arrows with which to fire the roof of
her own house while occupied by the
British as fort, an unreasoning enthus-
iastY Was Flora Mcdonald, who brave
ly engaged in the fight when the ship on
which she was sailing was attacked by
the enemy, receiving a broken arm in
the encounter, a foolish old dameY Was
Mrs. Murray, who entertained the Brit
ish officers at her home with wine and
vivacIous conversation, in order that
Gen. Putnam might retreat from New
York, simply coquettingS Was Molly
Pitcher, who was by Washington com
missioned a lieutenant at the battle of
Monmouth for taking her husbands
place and serving a field piece Of artillery
after his death, nothing but an audac-