Douglas Island news., 1908-06-03
Memorial Day Exercises

All other things were propitious for the observance of Memorial Day, but the weather. The dark clouds hung low on the mountains and the rain, which for several days had been con- ing in showers, settled aown to a steady pour However this did not prevent a large crowd from gathering at the Natatorium Hall, where ehe pro gram was most gratifying. The music by the Treadwell Club Band was splendid. The songs and recatatloD9 by the school children were %eli worthy of the careful attention which they received. The oratiop by the Rev. John Forhan was a most master ly effort.
 The speaker said Gin part: The gathering together of the American people, in all parts of the country, on this day to do honor to the soldier dead, and living, is not only right and proper, but expresses 8 sentiment pe- culiar to the American people. While in other lands they may give to their soldiers, returning triumphant from successful wars, the plaudits of an ex- cited populace, yet in America alone is lAe memory of those who have fought their country 8 battles perpet- uated and honored by a grateful and loving people. This is true because the soldiers who went forth to do bat tie for the cause of the Union, by their efforts and by their sacrifices, preserved the life of this great nation.
 To understand the Importance of this achievement we must first realize the worth of the life preserved. All life is valpa6ls. The people of all ages have recognized the value of human life, and the an cients in their laws demanded an "eye for an eye, aud a tooth for tooth" The family IS the social unit. In d4feuse of the home and it's sanctity men will take with their own hands the life of it's would. be despoiler. But the law Is supreme, 1t is unfexible, 1t has no soul; and even he who attempts to aveuge the wrongs of his own house hold must feel it's heavy hand.
 The greatest dengDr to the life of this nation was pot when. a century and a quarter ago, the armies of Eng land attempted to trampIe under foot the rights o& the colouists on the American soil. Neither was it in 1912, nor when the necessity arose to snatch the island of Cuba or the Philippines from the tyraut hand and to give to these people an opportunity of free dom. Bat the greatest, the most ter rible danger to the life of the Ameri- can nation came when internal strife threatened to tear it asunder; when in the conflict brother was arrayed against brother and father against son. Consider the self-sacrificing bravery of the father who knew that the leaden missel from the gun he carried might in the conflict pierce the heart of the son he himself had begotten, and yet did not falter, but counted even the blood of his own child, his own life, of less import than the life of the nation be loved.
 We are sorry that we cannot give to our readers that Memorial Day ad- dress in its entirety. The language so simple and plain that a child might understand, yet expressing so fally those truths that cause the heart of the patriotic American to swell with gratitude and reverence for those who offered their lives Q willing sacrifice upon the altar of their country, and pride for the nation that could and did produce such heroes.
 After the ceremonies at the hallr and in spite of the rain which continued to fall, procession was formed under the direction of Marshal of the Day Mcdonald, and marched to the oeme- tery where the graves were decorated with flags and flowers.
 A fancy writing desk made of Alaska