Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-06-04

Guard, the children who are with US,
and will live after US, all give evil
dence of the republics strength. for
such meetings are held today in
every hamlet of the land. But numbers
do not disclose the real strength of
the nation. The little girl who brings
: the flowers with which to decorate
the veterans grave becomes the
mother of the future. Her faith. and
her courage will be the inspiration
for men of the next generation as
was the courage of her mother and
her mothers mother before her. No
zen can ever record the strength
given to the Union cause by the wo-
manhood Of the north. The world
knows the union would never have
3een saved but for the sacrificing
Spartan like wives and mothers of
1861. We can never forget their part
in the conflict; woman will ever ex-
ercise a potent influence over the af-
fairs of the nation, because she is
the mother of the statesman and of
the soldier"
Such was the admOnitiOn of Secre-
tarv of State James A. rear in his
decoration day address at Forest Hill
cemeterey yesterday. 1t was an address
, filled with the spirit Of patriotism
that strengthens the hearts of the
people, the spirit of liberty, if you
please that marked this people in the
days when the nation was born, when
the souls Of men were tried.
To-day the federal army is no
more" said Mr.. Frear. TT has
changed it's name and garb. The
Grand Army of the Republic is its
successor. An army that never re-
cruits and has never surrendered, as
dear to the people Of this country as
was the old guard of France. It's num-
bers are being mustered out here, as
they enlist across the river, and to-
day we are reminded Of the last re-
cruitfng officers summons, saying:
The boast of heraldIT
The pomp Of power, and all that
beauty. all that wealth e'er gave,
Await alike the inevitable hour,
The path of glory leads but to the
grave"
owe turn back the page today to
the time when these old soldiers were
boys. when peace reigned and the
Young republic was girding on new
strength. Scarcely a half century ago
they saw the doctrines Of states
rights and federal power meet in
mighty struggle in order that a
new understanding Of the cOnsti-
tuition might be had Our system Of
government wherein the complex
rights, duties and powers of the state
and nation are so closely interviewer,
became a divided house.
! The stability Of a government is
dependent upon conditions that may
become both its strength and weak
Vess. With our government the con-
sent of the governed III each indiyidu-
al state gives to the union it's power
Such consent was originally granted,
that rights of life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness vouchsafed by
the constitution might permanently
be secured.
Through long years of acqui
essence black men and women had be
come recognized subjects of property
and from the supposed property rights
arose protests by slave owners against
any limitation or infringement. These
so called rights of property placed
in the scales of justice, against con
fiictfng rights of liberty, were decided
bv the courts in favor of the slave
holder.
when bred Scott placed foot or
Wisconsin soil just three score anC
ten years ago, he was a free man
When he married in this territory, his
wife was a free woman, for both were
living in the free territorial govern
ment of Wisconsin where slavery was
prohibited. Yet the decision of the
highest court in the land, by ma
ioritv vote, determined that a slav,
owner could retake and retain his
property in Wisconsin and laugh a
the laws. Over two hundred pages o.
profound legal wisdom were required
to explain that decision and over
half million lives we're sacrificed tt
preserve intact divided country tina
found recognition and inspiration il
divided court"
Mr.. Frear declared that history is
> record of accidental happenings. Th'
failure of Grouchy to arrive, changed
the worlds map, leaving broken
spirited exile on st. Helena to mourn
for lost armies and lost empire
/ The election of Lincoln, the ap
: pointmeat of a Grant. the arrival 0
Monitor at Hampton Roads, the re
: pulse of Lee at Gettysburg were al
: critical events of the war that con
tributed toward the abolition of slay
: cry and maintenance Of the union.
: The price Of liberty is immeasur
: able" he said. ct is to man what sun
light is to the flower. Take away ligh
:, and only barren rocks remain. An
bition that makes men great ant
! builds nations strong, is gone whel
! freedom is lost. This liberty was de
, MED the negro by a free government
until finally it came to pass that il
reconcflabIe court decisions and CON
promise legislation We're swept asid
In the forum Of war and there was Sc
. cured for all men equal rights.
: Can we close our eyes to the fac
? that rights of citizenship guarantee
!. by the constitution are yet withheld
2 from the coIored man? However ser
Gus the negro problem may be, tn
: Acknowledgement of men in tho sout
! with congressional representation
bouad ,,nor7 that silent hpIDIpSS DODr
, Iation. has become a menace 10 tn