The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-05-31
MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES.


MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES.
Once again Owosso in common will
cities throughout the country is to
day paying tribute to the memory o
her dead. While the men who fought
in the great war of the sixties, ant
have since crossed the earthly bor.
der, are naturally and properly giver
first honors in the memory of a CRATE
full people, it is nevertheless evident
in this city that the others have not
been forgotten. For a number OF
days the cemetery has been under
going Frightening process, and last
evening scores Of people went to Oak
Hill to decorate the graves of loved
ones with flowers. Many more went
today.
The solemnity and dignity of the
day was observed down town and at
the cemetery today, with speeches,
music, prayer, military maneuvers and
salute; many citizens and children,
the W. r. c. and several other local
societies assisting the members of the
G. A. r. and the younger military
men in doing full justice to the oc-
casion
The opening exercises at the arm
ory this afternoon were largely at
tended, and the program was of an
inspiring character. Mayor D. H.
Lamb conducted the exercises. A
prelude by the band,prayer by Rev
C. H. Hanks, and music by the Con-
gregational choir were the opening
numbers.
superintendent j. w. Simmons of
the Owosso schools then read
Lincoln's Gettysburg address. An
ether appropriate selection by the
choir was followed by the address of
the day, delivered by Rev. D. w. Wise.
Singing of America by the audience,
and the benediction closed the exer-,
cises.
At the conclusion of the program,
the parade was formed, moving to
to the cemetery. The band led, and
following were the members of Quack-
enbush Post G.. A. R., Company H.,
a body of school children, the uni
form rank Knights of Pythias, and
other local organizations altogether
constituting not unimposing page
ant. Captain Zenas Ross was the
Marshal of the day.
At the cemetery where large num-
Der OF people were congregated, the
program was concluded in the usual
manner. The graves were decorated
by the members of the G. A. r. and
w. R. c., and Company H., NJ. N. G.,
with an abundance of flowers and
flags, and following this tribute the
impressive memorial exercises of the
G. A. r. were carried out at the
soldiers monument The day closed
with the rendition by many voices of
the imperishable hymn, Nearer My
God to Thee" and the firing of salute.
The memorial address delivered by
Rev. D. H. Wise at the armory was
in part as follows:
"Mr. Chairman, venerable veter-
ans of the G. A. r. and fellow citi-
zens: There Is a sacredness and
charm about this hallowed day we
delight to honor, which does not
diminish, but increase with the pas
sage of years. In the perspective of
the history made by that great
struggle which 1t commentaries, we
are comprehending more clearly as
time goes by it's stupendous and sub
lime significance. A grateful nation
bows with profound reverence and
emotion at the sepulchres of it's saw
iors and is honored and elevated
by the honor 1t sincerely and un-
stintingly bestows upon them.
The patriots, whose valor and hero
ism made this day, are assured of a
fame as enduring as the Union for
which they counted not their lives
dear unto themselves; for,
Upon Nations grateful heart,
They're written down by men,
ory's pen,
And time shall never dare erase,
The deeds of patriotic men,
"The charm and glory of this day
consist in it's memorial character.
For this purpose it was set apart;
and for this reason it will continue
to live whichever the Republic
stands. The world has always had
it's memorials and its memorial days.