Fergus County argus., 1906-06-01

of our people that the original thought
/ has been broadened and extended un-
til now. not only do We observe it to
honor the memory of those who wore
the blue. but We make it the occasion
for kindly and reverent remembrance
of all those who have laid down the
cares and burdens of life. and who
have entered upon that journey
whence none return.
Today. therefore. We naturally turn
back to that fearful crisis in our coun-
trys history and to the memorable
events which then transpired. events
which left an indellble mark upon hu.
man progress and which changed the
current of history of the whole civ
ilized world Today we recall with pa
triotic pride the splendid achievements
birth to this occasion; we remember,
too with profound sympathy and re-
spect. those other brave but mistaken
cOuntrymen Of ours who freely gave
their lives for a cause they then be-
lieved to be right. but which is now
almost universally conceded to have
been wrong. Today also we bring
back 10 memory those friends and
neighbors and companions with whom
we associated in life and We are filled
with tender and chastening recollec-
ti0ns of all those near and dear ones
who We're bound to us by the close
ties of family and affection.
Significance of the Day.
Thus Memorial day has come to
posses an exceptional significance. a
profound interest. 1t brings us togeth
er upon common level Of sympathy
and appeals TO all that which Is
best in our nature. And although it
may open up the fountain of memory
and revive hidden sorrows, and per-
haps bring a sob TO the lips and d tear
to the eye of many. it yet brings its
consultations. for it is my observation
and experience that there is a pathet-
ic pleasure. a satisfaction, sorrowful
though it may be, in standing by the
last resting place Of those We have
dearly loved in life. in recalling their
virtues. their many acts of kindness
2 their tender love and their patient de
: votion. Such reflections bring us so
= lace and comfort; they give us in,
creased faith in the present and renew
d our hope and courage for the future
g In reviewing the causese and Incl
e dents of the civil war upon Memoria,
/ day, it would be ungenerous and un
g wise, and contrary 10 the well nigh uni
2 ersal feeling OF the American people
L To give expression to views or senti
t, ments which would tend in the leas
Il 10 revive any Of the old animositie.
e which formerly divided our country
But this does not mean that we ma,
Y, not upon these occasions very appro
i'd priatcly refer to that unhappy perio
ID OF our country's history for the in
structive purpose of gathering there
h from the inspiration to patriotism an
le the essential lessons of loyalty an
II devotion TO duty, as we'll as to Civ
III due praise and honor TO those VIII
III then rendered the nation such priceless
v. service.
lie The Shot Heard Around the World
ne II is now forty-fiva years since wa
st fired that fatefu shot at Fort Sum-
n. ter, which sned the first blood in d,
ry Tense OF the flag of the Union, an
OF which directly preciptated the war {
Id the Rebellion; a war which stirre
m the passions of men to their yer
m depths, which arrayed father agains
son and brother against brother
III which trampled beneath the cruel he.
d. OF sectional and partisan hatred bot
iy friendship and kinship, and all III
OF sweetest and tenderest relations {
Of life, and which eventually drenche
Il the land in the blood and tears of til
al nations noblest sons and daughter
Sc But it is good, even now, to reca
IS thar in that supreme crisis there sti
Is lived the sublime sentiments of lov,
le OF liberty, of pure patriotism, of loya
T, ~ to the Union and devotion to th
II constitution and the flag. and that III
1r .lerlying those sentiments was tn
I'd stern resolve that no matter what tn
a. cost in blood and treasure might b.
I'd the flag which foated over Washin
H. ton and his men at Valley Forge, an
le Trenton and Yorktown; which ha
h smiled in victory over Perry on Il
ir- great lakes; which had been wave
IS. in triumph over Scott and Taylor
w Mexico, and which had sanctified Il
is birth of the Republic, should not con
10 down, and that it should never wa
'ic- over a divided nation or a single h
'us man being wearing the manacles OF
ms. slave
ng And of all that invincible army
we patriots who sprang eagerly forwa
on, in defense of the Union at the call
no Abraham Lincoln, few remain. No
md of them have joined the silent mai
the ity; their names have been strick
gh- from the roster of the Grand Army
all, the dead. For them
est The muffled drums sad roll has bes
-. h.. oil n,', Loo