The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-06-07
time. TO PENSION
every VETERAN SAYS
GOVERNOR CRAWFORD

observed Memorial day in becomingl
manner, the occasion being graced by
the presence of Governor Crawford Of
address. He eNtolled the patriotism
and courage of the soldiers in eloquent
manner and declared emphatically that
the time had arrived when every veter-,
am of the war of the rebellion who
could show an honorable discharge
should be entitled to a pension Suffi-
cient TO afford him an adequate liveli-
hood and that he be not subjected to
too much red tape in the securing Of
it,. The attendance was very large,
hundreds coming from out of the city,
The governors address in full was as
follows:
influential Characters of Men.
Occasions of this character WELD a
mystic and powerful influence upon the
lives and character of men. They lead the
mind and heart into regions of profound
fore it various subjects which enter deep
patriotism, citizenship, goeernment reiig-
ion. liberty. traditions, cherished ideals,
personal and moral courage, heroism and
self-sacritice. They cause one to pause
and review the changes that have come
during the short span of an average life
time, and to reflect upon individual eX-
pertence in its relations to the home the
family, ia the state, and to the e, complexity
OF human affairs in general. They present
to the mind that higher and broader view
which lies beyond the environment of mar
row seltishness and materalism and which
brings one into closer touch and deeper
sympathy with humanity. They are oc-
casions which awaken within us feelings,
OF profound gratitude and reverence for
those who by sacrifice, service, and loyalty
in the past. secured to US our great and
Invaluable Inheritance.
Permit me to pause for moment tol
those witnessed
whose presence here today is in ITSELF
without the utterance of one single word
fore us.
Greatest Army of Citizen Soldiers.
| When you, veteran members of the
grand army of the republic, march in rap
ia Idly ~, DIMINISHING numbers, in public view,'
| behind the flag of your country, and from
time to time follow a departing comrade
to his last resting place-or upon these
| public occasions, when your little group
takes its place of honor in a public as
semblage-all recognize that you represent
the scattered and broken remnants of the
marshalled for the defense of liberty and
constitutional government upon this earth
We note that time, toll and privation
Upon your heads the fleetng years have
traced their going in silver locks. Upon
your your races $. they have written the graphic
| story OF life. AS we read the tale thus
written and remember the thousands of
your comrades who have been pillowed
in the bosom of mother earth. we love you
as Desdemona did Qthello. for the dan
i gers Ao1 has'a pssgsed and we rejoi u that
you have been spared to be with us this
More than forty years have, indeed
made sad havoc with you and yours. Then
70 you ,I possessed two of the priceless jewels
1 of life-youth and health. You had en-
thusiasm. You had hope. You were self
reliant and undaunted. AS you faced the
future all life was buoyant and thrilling.
Great events were happening. You be-
lieved in yourself and faced danger with
that courage which refuses to be con-
quered. You We're the flower Of the land.
Back Over the Winding Way.
Now you are old men and a great change
/ has come with the fast f1eetng years.
Travel worn and weary. you are looking
back down the long and winding way over
which which you ,hat have passed since then. You
changes time has made in your lives.
More than once, no doubt-the grim
reaper has taken away members of your.
family circle. Friends Of your youth are
dead and gone n
As the shadows deepen and you face the
sunset, you are lonely and somewhat tired;
many Of you are not unwilling perhaps
to lay down the burden on this side Of
the river and go to your long rest on
But each of you has proud conscious
ness within him OF having once offered up
his life-when life was sweetest-for his
country. You know that you have not
lived in vain. because, when life was full
OF bloom and yigor, you placed it in the
hands of Abraham Lincoln to be sacri-
feed, if need be- for the cause of liberty.
SO that government of the people by the he
people and for the people should not for
ever perish from the earth You followed
this act of conservation with a faithful
service of your country in a terrible war;
This alone has secured for each of you a
place within the ranks Of the nobility. Not
a nobility founded upon wealth, or fam
lily, or intellect, but a nobility founded.
upon service to country, fidelity to duty,
conservation to patriotism.
%l,fr
probation of those who cannot claim COM
radeship with you; and the particular re-
gard of the younger generation which.
fondly seeks TO learn from Your example
the highest lessons of civic duty. May you
find consolation in the comforting thought
that you became by impact part of the
vitalizing spirit that issues out of the very
4 heart of the great republic itself, when
your your life was was welded D. to its life in the
blood of sacrifice. SO that it's glorious his
tory cannot be written without entering
in the roll of honor the name of every man.
who received an honorable discharge from
its service. You doubtless preserve that
discharge as a priceless testimonial and
Your children and their offspring in gem
eratons unborn will value it, if possible,
more than you value it.
Entitled to Supporting Pension.
The time has come when the veteran who
can present an honorable discharge from
service as union soldier is entitled to a
the remainder, of mis- days comfortable
sustenance without any technical inquiry
as to whether the ills from which his old
and worn out body is suffering, had their
origin over forty years ago in exposure
upon the field, or in camp, or in prison.
1t is wrong and cruel to ask him to as
sumo he burden of collecting such proofs.
when, frequently, all the witnesses are
dead. He should have the benefit of every
presumption.
Ii is the wish of the people everywhere
that the government shall be both just and
generous towards the men who defended
II in the darkest period of its existence
With these advancing years, your ability
10 earn has constantly declined. Your
right to be secure from anxiety about mat
J.. tiers pertaining to bodily comfort should
not be made subject for bubble nor long
delay, because the time viii be here very
soon when the power to be just to you will
nave gone.
We ali join in wishing that your re-
naming days may be serene and free from
want and perpleIing care SO that when
the, times comes for You to lie down and
take your last slong sleep, you can do so.
feeling that you fought good fight and
that the nation you loved so well, returned
, your love in full measure. May the end
for you. when it comes, be as peaceful as
hat sought by England's aged poet when