Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-05-30

treasuring in our hearts their noble
achievements, forgetting therein their
failures and shortcomings. If this is
done for those who have lived their
allotted span. but who, perhaps, have
made no great patriotic sacrifice for
native land, what should be our atti-
tude with reference TO those who laid
down their young lives or gave the
choicest years of their MANHOOD to
perpetually and securely plant as a
beacon of liberty and freedom to all,
safely above our loved land, our starry
banner, freed from all spot and stain.
May Not Know.
What, then, can be more appropri
ate, more fitting, than we should this
day strew the tombs, the last sad rest
ing place of our soldier dead, with
these beautiful flowers. 1t may be
that those sleeping their last sleep,
may not know of our actions | say
may not know" for | believe that the
immortal soul possesses an infinite
knowledge, but whether known or not,
it is a delight to the living to manifest
the love so earnestly felt, in this beau
tiful and time honored custom
This is not the first time that we
have assembled for this purpose, nor
will it be the last, for as the years
have rolled slowly around in the past,
and as those yet in the future glide
swiftly on in their relentless journey,
We have met, and will meet again,
among the graves of the dead COM
rades. to deck their silent homes, to
drop a tear, as we think of their suf
ferings and trials, and to give sigh
of sadness, when we think of the lone
ly firesides, even after many years.
still yearning for father, husband, son
or brother, gone. We will today glow
with a thrill of patriotism as we re-
member the glorious legacy handed
down to us of the younger generation
by you, gentlemen of the Grand Army.
and by your silent comrades, who are
now quietly sleeping beneath the sod.
This ceremony is not a mere mat
ter of form, nor is it mere idle show;
it is more than all this. II is living
object lesson, vivid portrait held ey-
er before the eyes of the young of this
country, teaching them that the no.
olest use man may make of his life
is to so hold it in readiness that when
lie hears his cOuntry's call, there shall
be no hesitation in his responses and
o remember that there can be no
greater, or more glorious fate than, if
necessary. to lay down his life for his
native land.
Memories Day Recalls.
CAS- we meet today the many recol-
ections of the past crowd swiftly upon
Zach other. in the memories of those
Who offered their lives in defense of
he dear old flag. There cannot fail
% be much that brings the unbidden
ear to the eye. and makes this a sad
md solemn day to those who know by
hat stern teacher, experience. what
he name of that dread monster war
means. What memories this day must
recall to the minds of wives and chill
lren who longingly waited at home
While their loved ones went bravely
Onward to the field? What memories
his day must arouse in the minds of
'ou gentlemen who so patiently,
)ravely and well defended our nations
honor? What memories are recalled
~ all who participated in those thrill
ng days of dark rebellion?
This day should mean much to this
country, and to this beautiful city.
None gave more freely to their coun-
ry than Rock Island. The long list
If eminent soldier dead cannot be sup
piled by me today. The longer list of
hose who. perhaps, persisted unknown
o the world at large, are here record
ID in blazing letters that will never
lie. in the hearts and the records of
his county.
Tribute to Local Soldiers.
What a glorious heritage is that of
he speaker who will address you this
afternoon in the knowledge of the he
'oic devotion and duty of his sire. How
much better than any order of nobility
hat can be conferred by king or po-
entate, is the order of nobility of man.
worth and brave devotion to duty
hat has been handed down to him in
he recollection of the service to his
country, of William B. Bruner?
ITO no one should be given greater
credit for patriotic sacrifice than to
Adam Ziegler, of Coe township, who
sent seven of his sons to the army, to
serve there with credit to their coun-
try and to themselves, an aggregate
of 81 years, or an average of three
years each.
"The board of supervisors of Rock
Island county. extended, for the relief
of soldiers families in this county,
over $4,000. s. t.
"The wives and mothers who have
always been the chief counsellors in
every good work, typical of the wo-
manhood that was last at the cross
and first at the sepulcher. gave of
their hard earned toll, $4,000 for the
relief of the soldiers in the field.
"The names of General John Buford,