Omaha daily bee., 1910-06-29
F airmont DedicateS
Soldiers Monument
Impressive Ceremony and Eloquent
Address Mark the Occasion of
Patriotic Tribute.

FAIRMONT. Neb.. June 2s.-(special.)-
The handsome soldiers monument OF gran
tie and bronze. purchased by patriotic citi-
zens Of Fairmont and adjacent territory.
was dedicated Sunday Afternoon with most
appropriate services. Despite the fact that
an inch OF rain fell between early morning
and noon, and weather conditions remained
most threatening throughout the day,
large crowd was in attendance and a
highly interesting program was executed
without interruption. The Fairmont band
and the Kempton band furnished plenty OF
good music and the large chorus. assisted
by the assembled throng. sang several
patriotic airs. George z. Aldrtch, as
chairman of the finance committee pre-
sided and the dedicatory services proper
were conducted according to the ritual Of
the Grand Army of the Republic. About
thirty members of Company @. Nebraska
National Guard. Of Geneva, were present in
fun equipment and served as q guard Of
honor
The presentation speech was made by
Hon. Charles II. Sloan OF Geneva, who de-
nvered one Of the most eloquent addresses
ever given in Fairmont. His expressions
met with repeated hearty applause.
After recounting most eloquently the Ad-
and its results, Mr.. Sloan concluded:
At the dedication Of the great Washington
monument. kossuth, the Hungarian pa
trtot, told this story: An eminent aren't
tect, having planned and supervised the
construction OF a colossal cathedral, Whlch
was the GROWING work of his great career
asked TO be buried in Its shadow. He fur-
Their requested that no monument be erected
TO his memory, but at the entrance TO the
great building there should be inscribed
this legend above his name: You seek my
monument Look around.
Members Of the Grand Army Of the Re
public, those who would seek your monu-
ment should look around-to the govern
ment you saved, the stupendOus achieve
ments Of that government in the progress
of the world. In this you have built your
shakespeare said: III a man does not
erect In this age his own tomb ere he dies
he shall live no longer in memory than the
bell tolls and the widow weeps." True,
/ you have erected your own monument but
a grateful people are contradicung the pes
/ simistic sentiment of the English bard.
This is a period in monument building.
/ Columns of marble, shafts Of granite and
/ statues of bronze are being erected all over
/ the land to commemorate the departed
/ soldiers OF the republic. This Is especially
true in the great west-in Nebraska, the
soldiers state. There is ample and fitting
reason for remembering here the sainted
dead, because the west OF which Nebraska
I Is a part, has come into its own. 1t pro-
/ duces that which IL needs. 1t has become
I its own banker. Its citizenship walks with
prouder step, a greater civic pride Is felt
J by all its representatives in capitals Of ma
D ton and state are asserting the rights and
4 prerOgatives of the enerKe ttQ- state Of the
plains and is citizens and representative
1 VIII hereafter assert and wear their
rights as royal robes, their manhood as q
| crown
For the last quarter of century have
known the soldiers of Webb Post. OF its
| membership the living is still the majority
but soon it win be only the minority who
| walk, while the majority shall rest. Al
your country's call you stood erect, full
/ form and size, as that heroic figure in i'm
| passive bronze.
But WEAKNESS of march, bullet wound
wasting disease. durance in prison pen. al
allies Of remorseless time, have bent YOU
| forms. bowed your heads, whitened you
hair and dimmed your eyes. Still the fires
brightly as ever You see civic duty as
YOU once saw military duty, and seeing Il
is TO perform II. The citizens of Fairmon
and vicinity. from the promptingS OF ouI
hearts, deliver this monument to the Crane
Army of the Republic as a concrete ex
preston Of our gratitude and honor fol
the soldiers living and dead. Long may
il stand to attest the virtues and principle,
Of the Grand Army Of the Republic ans
the Womans Relief corps, for the lover
! daughter, sister, mother and wife. in tn,
dark rebellion days, exhibited fortitud,
unknown to the world, constant and true
unsustained by comrades cheer or MARTA
music
May 1t stand until These poor Hsping
stammering tongues lie silent In the grave
/ Until the sea shall give up its dead and
the divine herald shall proclaim. Time
I was. time is. but time shall be no more
Then shall fading human vision see carve,
legend in marble column effaced, granite
shaft cleft by earthquake shock, feature.
OF bronze obliterated by storm and change
but the true monument OF the Grand Army
Of the Republic self-erected, shall be tht
glory. dignity and power OF the nation
your blood ard sacrifice preserved for tn,
common good OF all mankind
Captain c. E. Adams OF Superior CAV,
the dedication address and spoke at length
along lines OF patriotism. Captain Adams
effort here today added many TO his al
ready extensive list of Fillmore count,
friends Fairmont feels proud OF tn,
liberality and patriotism of its citizens an,
friends who contributed TO the purchas
OF this handsome and durable nonumen
ard proud OF the successful manner II
which the dedication was accomplished. de
spite the rain and accompanying heav!
roads