Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-01
TRIBUTE TO THE VETERANS
Young Man Sounds the Praises Of the
Gray-Haired Grand Army.
LARGE CROWD IN ATTENDANCE
General G. VI. Dodge, who was to
Preside, TO His Home by
Illness and r. J. Abbott
D. Fills the Place.

with euiogistic speech and patriotic music
Council Bluffs paid tribute TO the men,
living and dead, who fought TO preserve the
union, Saturday afternoon at Fairmont
park. where public exercises commemorative
OF the nations heroes we're held. In the
morning more than 100 boys from the pub
lie schools Of the city, accompanied by
members Of the Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie marched to Fairview and Walnut Hill
cemeteries. where they decorated the graves
in the soldiers burial lots.
Some 1000 people gathered in front Of
and around the bandstand at Paramount
park where the exercises were held, while
the members OF the Grand Army Of the
Republic and the woman's Relief corps oc-
cupied seats on the platform. Much disap-
pointment was felt by the old soldiers, as
well as everyone else, at the inability OF
General Grenville NJ. Dodge to be present
and preside. as had been expected. but III
ness kept him in his home. In his absence
Colonel Edwin J. Abbott acted as master of
ceremonies.
The address Of the afternoon, delivered by
Clyde T. Genung Of Glenwood, was an elo-
ouent tribute to the heroes Of 81. He
said in part:
Tribute of Youth.
Nearly half a century has passed since
the last hostile shot was fired in our
great civil war. Today we assemble TO
the greatest army Of citizen soldiery that
ever went forth to do battle for a just
cause. Not only are we here today 20 do
honor to the heroic dead. but to say a
word of good cheer TO the remnants of
the Grand Army of the Republic, whose
presence will bless our national life for a
few years yet TO come. But in a few
short years the recall will be sounded
and the old soldier who wore the blue
from 1851, to 1855 will answer the final
roll call.
I have tried to remember what we owe
to the boys in blue. I have tried TO re-
member our obligations as individuals,
But understand that today for the
first time since the beautiful services OF
Decoration day have been established
that these exercises are not under the
direct control of the remaining members
the grand old hero, a man whom Council
Bluffs Is proud to claim as its citizen
and whom Iowa and the nation loves Sc
much, General Grenville M. Dodge. re.
quested your mayor to take charge OF
these exercises and relieve the men who
are now bent down with their three score
and ten years from this task. Ny friends
It is a pleasure to me and it ought to be
a pleasure to all the young blood of the
country to help with these exercises. we
who have inherited so much. seeing as
we have the light of day Cor the first
time with a nation that Is free, no north
no south. no east. no west. but a Slorlou;
tees of the constitution and under on
grand old Declaration OF Independence
every man who has the right TO claim
American citizenship can under the flae
our government has improved upon the
implements of warfare since you. my Ole
sherman and Grant. they have .im,
proved upon the arms and ammunition
camp equippage and all, with the eXcep.
ton OF one. They have never improved