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

Delivered This Afternoon
BY Frederick D. Let's
Of Davenport.

was closed; and those who were CIT
| down in the hour OF anxiety, amid the
thick gloom, ere they saw the fruition
OF their labors and those who survived
the great conflict and attained the
given years of allotted life and here
found rest; and those who larry vet
with us. full Of years and honors. to
make more real the glories Of this
day They belong to us. We declare
them our nations heroes.
This splendid gathering assembled
!! In the spirit of common gratitude:
this sea Of faces, lit with 10y and
aglow with kindly sympathy; pro.
| claim the virtue and the purpose OF
this sacred rite, and. as the awaken
Ing sun fortells the ardor OF the sum-
mer day, this present evidence be-
speaks the pride and reverence which
generations to follow will pour upon
| 1t.
/ II local association has any claim
upon the mind or the Imagination,
then indeed, we worship at the very
shrine of American patriotism and
heroic valor. We stand among the
graves Of the fallen, eloquent IN their
lessons Of faithful and distinguished
service. We are Americans. We see
with retrospective eye train of great
events. Our fortunes have been hap
PLY cast. The natural response OF
our hearts calls forth from the vaults
Of our inmost being a profound 10y
atty to our country; loyalty that
ruled the men; inspired the events
! and guided the course of the civil war;
| and blazed the trail OF liberty before
many of ts were born. Sirs: Not the
! vigor OF our nations life, not the ma
turing Of its powers will cause the
!, people of this broad and happy land to
forget the lessons which you have
taught. Today we turn to your page
!! In history and proclaim the import,
ance and magnitude OF the events
there recorded. We wish those Of
1everys age and every class to hear and
know that infancy may learn and
I rfpened age recoliect the precept o
j patriotism which the story OF you
i life suggests. I'VE wish that labol
may read and be proud in the mids
OF its toll. We wish that despondins
:! patriotism may turn its eye hither
ward and be assured that the foun
idations of our national power still
stand strong"
rs Veterans. you are the remnants o
n mighty army, the survivors of man.
| well fought field. You are met t
enjoy this hour, crowded with thu
fellowship OF your comrades, and t.
receive the expression of a universe
!, gratitude. But it is not Joy unmiA
+ ed with pain. The marks of battl'
and the ravages OF time are your con
slant companions.
II IN the fermentation OF, that great in
81 ternational controversy which culmi
mated ia our civil war, Iowa, peac
b loving Iowa, hoped for peace. AM
y vet daring not to believe that hope
she became the theatre of war tim
preparation: and as the time drey
.inigh which was to put professions Q
loyalty to the proof the conscience Q
J. this beautiful town and this prosper
Gus country was announced, convince
. Of the necessity of war. The smoult
ering fires Of patriotism burst int
, flames and burned most fiercely Thi
community added its young vigor t
Iowa's generous offering upon tn
, altar Of human liberty. At Wilson
!, Creek Pea Ridge, Belmont. Donnel
. son Shiloh, vicksburg, and where
: ever they went the sons of Iowa di
! heroic service and added luster
their loyal homes. Keokuk may we
!. be proud OF her war record; and prou
/ Of her men who have achieved hig
/. distinction in civil and military lif
i Keokuk sent more men to the fror
J than any other city in Iowa Thel
\ are eighty-two national cemeteries
the United States. One OF them
i. located In Iowa and that one at Re
j. kuk. These marble slabs and grant
blocks bear the names of your hero
t dead. Curtis, Terrence, Belkna
8 Reed, and Parrot, these are famili
J. and honored names. AS officers thu
. gained distinction in the service
q their country. But not one was mo
i heroic than the private soldiers who