The San Francisco call., 1908-05-31
FLAYS GRAFT AIDS
IN HONOR SERMON
Rev. II. j. VOsburgh Scores
Higher Ups" and Corrupt
Press in Grafton


of freedom than the Dred Scott deci-
sion of former generation. The
press Is the strongest influence in cur
land. We need a press that will ex-
ercise the function of moral LEADER
ship today. Some papers are purchased
outright by the great corporations
others are brfbed into silence. Many
pander to the basest appetftes of the
vicious element. sensationalism and
the desire for large profits have led
many Journals TO violate the finest ira
dftiOns of their order.
"Neterans, be careful of the papers
you patronize, help 10 create vigil
liant and high minded press that can
lead our country into greater fu-
ture.--Extracf from Memorial day ad-
dress delivered at Oakland by Rev. H.
J. NOsburgh, pastor of the First Bap-
tist church of Oakland.
OAKLAND. May s0.--f lower laden,
the citizens Of Alameda county
thronged the cemeteries Of Oakland to-
day and with full observance OF the
sad. sweet rites which tradition has
made a part OF Memorial day, beauti-
fed the graves and made green the
memory Of their dead. Very early IN
the morning the loving pilgrimages
were begun and long before noon the
mound capped hills OF Mountain View,
ST Mary's and Evergreen were bright
with garlands. wreaths and clusters
Of bloom. The cemeteries. rich in nat
ural beauty and luxuriant with shrub
berry and blossoming plants and trees
in full foliage. made wonderfully ef-
fective BACKGROUND Cor the city's vari-
colored tribute TO its past
Perhaps the most impressive cere-
monies OF the day were those OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic. School
hcG nj
flags and bouquets and solemn, earnest
faces. trudged soberly behind the pro-
cession Of gray, bent veterans in their
age worn uniforms OF blue TO the @.
A r. plats in Mountain View There
they laid their fragrant burdens on the
grassy mounds and raised their young
voices in the martial strains OF the
nations patriotic hymns.
CHILDREN JOIN DIRGE
Occasionally their high chorus was
swelled and deepened by the quaver-
ing notes Of their aged companions,
who seemed TO delight in the part
played by the children in their cele-
bratlon At the close Of the cere-
monies the Spanish war veterans
formed in firing line at the head Of the
burial plat and gave teh military sa-
lutte Of three volleys over the graves
of the dead soldiers.
held at 10 a. N. by the members Of
Porter and Lyon posts. G. A R., supple
mented by the Woman relief corps,
Sons Of veterans and Spanish war vet
erans Headed by DR.. J. c. Stout. the
procession formed outside Of the ceme-
terry gates and marched through the
grounds TO the upper G. A r. plat
where the services were opened by
Frank A Leach Jr-. president OF the
f-r, NV
Rev. Frederick H Maar. and the pupils
Of the Piedmont schools. accompanied
by the Salvation Army band, rendered
several OF the classic patriotic songs
Ifncoln's Gettysburg address was read
By Major Il. T. Curzon of Liscom camp
10. = United Spanish war veterans
VINO was followed by the orator OF the
DAY, Rev William Day Simonds-
Dr Sfmonds' address was an eloquent
tribute 70 the men who gave up their
lives In the preservation Of the union
He said in part:
The world has been born anew in
tie last 40 years. New men, new meas
ures, new interests, new problems COM
mand our attention and absorb our en-
ergy. II is already a long way back
10 Gettysburg and Appomattox To US
men Of a succeeding generation, the
war IS not living and heroic memory
ss il sssuredly is TO you, veterans OF
the great conflict To us il is history
20 our children it VIII be history twice
removed.
davs? VIII the courage and patriotism
Of the volunteer soldier be fttingly
honored when the last veteran has gone
10 his reward2
Let us humbly acknowledge that il
VIII be fmpossibie for the men and
women OF the future TO enter fully into
the sacred associations and the hal
lowed memories of Memorial day. This
say belongs to you. veterans Of the
grand army, as IL can never belong
again 10 living men. We may indeed
wear YOUR mantle of loyalty and devo-
.fon 10 union and liberty, but you wore
L first. bearing it through scenes OF
battle and danger. giving ii a sacred
ness in your eyes of which we car
be but dimly conscious. We, to whom
the war is history, or the indistinct
memory of early childhood, we did not
Rear Lincoln's call for volunteers. we
lid not bid with aching hearts oul
5earest friends farewell and then hurry
b. the front
While tho flag you followed through
The blood and terror of battle waves or
any sea or shore Memorial day will bs
attingly and reverently observed. I be.
ieve this, because certain characters.
ties Of American manhood evidenced in
me civil war viii make a permanent
appeal to the consciences and hearts OF
the people.
WAR. CALAMITY OR CRIME
4 am not here TO glorify war. War
always either a calamity or q crime
Usually both. An ultra peace man, de-
.lare that the age Of war is over. The
aolld must seek and will find a better
and . more just way to settle national
and internationai disputes; but for all
hat. candid men must admit that in q
Rar which the people believe TO be just
certain resplendent virtues are devei-
5ped. the noblest of which our poor hu-
nan nature is capable. l. therefore, de-
routly believe that future generations
viii honor the courage and self-sacri-
ice OF the volunteer soldier of union
and liberty"
The formal decorating OF the graves
vas led by Colonel z. D. Baker, Camp
40. ]. Sons of Veterans, who placed Q
lag on each grave. The mounds were
hen strewn with flowers by the school
children. At the conclusion of the exer-
Uses taps" were sounded by c. i. Wes-
sci OF the Spanish war veterans.
Edwin Stearns was chief of staff to