Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-06-03
ESTABLISHED IN 1861"

plimentary remarks relating toIhis
military record
AS the occasion Monday was a me-
morable one so General Stewards ad-
dress, in scope, in eloquence, in senti-
ment and the general appropriateness
OF the thoughts expressed, has gone on
record as one of the best and most stir
ring discourses ever heard in Danville.
Leaving out the fabulous wars of
antiquity the civil war, the speaker
said, in the enormous area involved,
the number Of soldiers engaged, the
lives and treasurers sacrificed, was the
greatest conflict that ever took place
in the history of mankind. AS a great
civil war it was the test of republican
government. 1t was not local in it's
nature The entire civilized world
was looking on--iu suspense. Tt was
not war of one nation; it was a war
OF the human race. The Importance
aud the true glory Of the victory
achieved, therefore, can be measured
only by considering what was at stake.
The object Of prosecuting the war,
the speaker said. was distinctively the
preservation Of the Union. The free
ing Of the slaves was incidental.
The speaker paid magnificent tri-
butte to the soldiers of Pennsy ylvania.
They were the most stubborn fighters
and the determining factors in the bat
tie OF Gettysburg and scores of other
hard fought engagements. This sug-
gested our own county and General
Stewart paid the same glowing tribute
to the soldiers that went out from lit
tie Montour.
AT this point, after speaking for
about an hour, General Stewart made
his first allusion to the soldiers
monument. Addressing the citizens
OF Montour county he most effectively
enlarged on the thought that after the
lapse Of years when many still survive
that participated in the great war
those of another generation, who share
in the benefits of united country and
OF liberty and equality firmly estab-
lished, in recognition of the heroism
and sacrifice of the soldier have reared
costly memorial on which shis deeds
are inscribed and his name perpetual
ed.
Turning 20 the monument and dwell
ling upon its elegance, its stately pro-
portions, he oontrasted it with a me-
mortal reared to the great Napoleon.
The latter, he said, perpetuates the
memory of one man, great in arms,
who made a continent tremble.
Our soldiers monument he said,
magnifies the career of no one man.
but Of every soldier Of Montour coun-
ty that fought in the civil war. 1t has
nothing to do with the principles that
made Napoleon great-with conquest
nor empire. 1t stands for the pure
principles of freedom and equality and
tells of deeds that perpetuated repub-
lie that guarantees TO each and every
one his individual rights.
It VIII endure, the speaker eloquent
ly affirmed, for ages-iu the time of
our children and of our children's
children. 1t will be unto the far IN.
ture message from the past, mess
age Of love and memory, teaching les
sons Of patriotism.
THE DEDICATION.
In conclusion very impressively aud
very dramatically General Stewart de-
dicated the monument to the great
principles OF patriotism and freedom to
the great republic of America and to
the memory Of the soldiers who fought
to quell rebellion and preserve the
Union.
In CONCLUSION on penalf of the COM
mtttee and Post No. %, G. A. R.. and
of the people of Montour county Hon.
James Foster, Chairman, rendered to
the care Of the borough of DanvilIe
the monument just dedicated, hoping
that it would be zeslously guarded
and preserved in memory of the men
who fought for the preservation of the
Union.
The exercises closed with singing
The Star Spangled Banner