The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1909-10-21

The program at the dedication of
Whitestone Hill monument on October
18th was one worthy the undertaking.
1t is to be regretted that larger num-
Der did not attend the exercises, but
this was owing to the sudden coldness
of the weather and misunderstanding
as to where the exercises were to be
held. A few over-zealous Monangoites
did all they could to have the program
pulled off in that town, and the result
was that some people were disappoint-
ed.
I As stated last week the exercises
were held on the south side of the hill,
where stands the monument, and the
SUMS warmth made it very comfortable
and the three hundred present enjoyed
every moment of the two-hour pro-
gram. 1t was interesting from begin
ming to end: Custer's last trumpeter,
Veteran B. F. Whitestone of Fred
erick, S. D., opened the exercises with
a bugle number, which was followed
by prayer by Rev. c. G. Williams of
Glendale.
/ President E. r. Kennedy was master
of ceremonies and next introduced Ex-
Congressman Thomas F. Marshall to
make the address of welcome. Mr..
/. Marshall was a great friend of the
movement in getting the necessary
legislation for the memorial. His ad-
dress is given here in full:
Address Of Welcome.
''It is always an agreeable task to
make an address of welcome, so l am
glad to extend to you all welcome on
behalf of our commission, which has so
ably represented the state and gone
about their duties so conscientiously
and industriously. and particularly do
we welcome all those who come from
the nearby sister states of Iowa and
Nebraska. We extend to them well
come limited only by our boundless
prairies and as joyous as Dakota sun
shine, than which there is none
brighter.
"Enjoy yourselves, eat freely at the
mess of your neighbors and friends and
drink deep of our sparkling life giving
waters of North Dakota. Make the
day enjoyable. memorable, never to be
forgotten. We are glad you came and
am sure you will be glad you came.
"You are standing on soil made
sacred by the blood of the soldiers
of 1863 who braved the dangers and
-discomforts of those times and con-
ditions in order that you and other
thousands might enjoy the comforts of
civilization and each drop of their
sacred blood has consecrated many
happy homes for all time to come. Let
US stop moment and think of this, let
us never forget these brave, unselfish
men who endured discomfort of camp
and the frontier, shed their blood, gave
up their lives, that we, our children,
and generations to come. might enjoy
the blessings and emoluments of peace.
.sLet us thank the Giver Of all good
+, things that such men, men of the hour.
were ready to undertake the arduous
task of supplanting the red man, thus
working out the law of the survival of
the fittest, in order that the white
man, the highest type of civilization,
should have full sway.
.'By our presence here today and
particularly by the presence of those
from distant places, we pay to these
dead heroes worthy and we'll deserved
tribute. Our presence here, this beau
tiful monument and grounds, the tire
less labor Of our commission (them
selves all veterans) all stand as wit
nesses that patriotism is alive in oul
hearts and that people and states are
not altogether ungrateful and forget
full.
II am glad to see this beautiful ant
substantial monument dedicated to sucf
cause. We are an altogether busy
people, too much devoted to businea,
and the practical affairs of life. ane
not enough swayed by finer feelings
and sentiments Of which love of coun
....:..:.,, ord gratitude m M,