The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-05-31

bravery and loyalty made their honor
possible.
Let US learn the lesson Of loyalty
and devotion taught by the lives of the
private soldiers. They composed the
army of the union. Upon them was
thrown the real burdens and the I'M
natural hardships Of war; upon them
was laid the last hope Of degraded
people. And in them reposed the con-
fidence Of Lincoln and the north.
They gloried in their country. They
were inspired with the business OF
their cause. That inspiration, like a
thing of life, went with them always.
1t tramped with them the weary
march. It hungered but did not faint
1t was with them at Wilson's Creek
Int fought with them at Shiloh, and
stood invincible at Gettysburg. 1t led
them above the clouds at ook-Out
| Mountain. 1t made them irresistible
from the wilderness to Appomattox.
1t made light their footsteps from At
lanta to the sea.
There is no language rich enough to
express our sentiment for the union
army. Length of time has not awak.
ened the adhesions Of comradship IN
| that great welded mass. No word can
describe, no future situation repro.
duce, that wonderful fellowship, which
now listens to the hush-music of de.
parting day.
we have assembled to commemorate
the establishment of great public
principles Of liberty, and to do honor
+ to the distinguished dead. The per
Torrance of that purpose would fail
| in the essentials OF completeness
were nothing now said of those count
less heroes. who shared the hardships
of war. endured its privations and de
feats. and Joined in the exultation o.
Its victories; who now find peace be
meath the green of unbound graves OF
here lie where modest shafts look vi
to heaven and impart the sad intel
ligence. their sorrowful fate, unknown
We add our poor tribute to them
known and loved at home. they die
not withhold themselves from the per
/ lions trial. Known and honoree
among their comrades, they contribut
ed their lives to their country cause
and like vessels, adrift, found thei
own and unknown mornings.
The union soldiers played well thei
mart in the great drama OF human al
fairs "They lived in most extra
ordinary age. Events so various an
On important that they might crow
and distinguish centuries. were y
!, their time compressed within the CON
mass Of a single life" At length the
cav the waters of darkness recede
and liberty lifted herself from tn
hlackness of midnight into the ligf
81 the MONDAY sun. The day
Y peace had succeeded.
Z There was a new creation. ~
otion was born again. The hous
) divided against itself was reunite'
The great trust descended to ne
: hands. The process OF reconstru
ton opened new fields of endeavo
The example Of the union soldier We
a faithful and efficient guide. 1t le
rs into a high plane of national po'
or IT babe labor find its employmel
and its reward. 1t sailed the SCI
and offered protection beneath Il
floating stars and stripes 1t trampe
the soil of foreign lands and entere
the markets of the world.
It leads us today beside the ST
waters of peace and bids us breath
the pure air of freedom.
There are fond hopes for us whit
appear with the dawn of each ava
ening day and stretch onward towart
!. reckoning gates, the enchanting lar
of possibilities. There are duties ar
labors of peace which transfer
illusive ideals into realities. The
are no laurels for us to gather In Il
CLEAN of battle or in lannon's glar
There is no place for us by the sic