Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-31
MEMORY Of DEAD
HEROES HONORED
BY OLD AND YOUNG
SiIvered Veterans of Civil War
Parade with Juniors of
Spanish Conflict
DECORATION DAY OBSERVED
Orator Hughes Pays Splendid
Tribute to Citizen Soldiers
Who Saved Nation

IN tors recalled the stirring times
A'-A of nearly half a century ago yes
terday when the survivors of the civil
conflict gathered at cemeteries, parks
and public halls to commemorate their
dead. Every battle was fought over
again by these grizzled veterans. Cen
trail park was the favorite gathering
place, and at night the bare soil was
scratched on all its surface where canes
and flag sticks had drawn diagrams of
battlefelds of almost fifty years ago.
The principal observance of the day
was at Simpson auditorium, and that
large gathering place was much too
small to accommodate the big crowd of
silver-haired veterans and patriotic cit
liens who gathered to hear Rev. Matt
Hughes of Pasadena deliver the grafton
of the day.
The Grand Army posts and their aux
iliary organizations formed at Central
park and marched to Simpson audito-
rum. The parade was headed by
platoon of police under Sergeant Ad-
ans. The police were followed by the
Spanish War Veterans and then fife
and drum corps led the posts of the
G. A. r. Mayor Alexander, in blue coat
and brass buttons, with gold cord
around his hat, marched with Stanton
post, of which he is a member, and for
the day was just a private citizen and
a veteran. The WOmen's Relief corps
followed the G.. A. r., and following
their mothers came the Daughters OF
Veterans, each proudly bearing a yell
low ribbon across her breast with the
words, MY Father Was a Soldier"
The line of march was on Sixth street
to Hope and on Hope to the auditorium.
There the men in line formed in two
files on either side of the streets while
the women marched past them and into
the auditorium.
VETERANS AT AUDITORIUM
Commanders of posts, presidents of
relief corps and other dignitaries were
assembled on the platform by Grand
Marshal T. A. Large. The veterans
drumb corps opened the program with
the Assembly" Grand Marshal Large
introduced DR.. w. A. Bentley, president
of the day, who made an Introductory
address. DR.. Bentley announced the
purpose of the gathering and then SAID:
Don't wait until these veterans are
dead to give them kindly word of
remembrance and loving service. They
need it more while they live"
He told of how the soldier mad shown
his ability in peace as well as in war;
and pointed out the legislators, the
authors, the editors, lawyers, presidents
who had become prominent after their
fighting days.
Bugle calls by o. T. Thomas and mar
tial music on the organ by j. M. Loretz
carried the old soldiers back to the
DAYS they so vividly remembered. Rev.
Will A. Knighten delivered the invoca-
tfon. G. NJ. Fairbanks read Lincoln's
Gettysburg address, and Prof j. A f'o-
shaw sang the star Spangled Banner,
in which the audience Joined.
All this was preliminary to what
every veteran present said was the best
Memorial day address he had ever
heard. and each had heard many. They
showed their appreciation after Rev.
Tatt TJughes had concluded by giving
him three rousing cheers and a tiger
that nearly tore the roof from the old
auditorium. He said:
HUGHES SPEECH
-bera is n national memory. Nations do not
forget their achievements. The great and IN
auential events and periods in history have
been commen~ ted in many ways. Splendid
PROFESSIONS have marched under triumphal
q, les sculptured with victorious scenes, mute
but eloquent messages to unborn generauons.
Heroic monuments divide the currents of life
an crowded city streets, stand like posted
sentinels in the deserted solitudes of battle
fields. to perpetuate by expressive symbolism
or appropriate inscription the achievements OF
former days. Proclamations have been lssueu'
medals have been struck, poets nave sung
orators have eulogized. and memorial days
have been consecrated to the purpose OF keep
inr alive in the national mind the memories
o the mast and of reviving in the hearts OF
tbe neonle the sentiment of gratitude for sacri-
eces made in behalf of the common defense
and general welfare. No nation fit to live Is
willing that It's ~0st should die.
Pursuant to this ancient and honorable GUS
tom we are assembled today. Again we have
reacbed Memorial day in the calendar Of the
year. again our people have stood with un-
covered heads among the green mounds Of the
cities of the dead; again they have brought
their offerings flowers beautiful and fra
grant testimonials of grateful remembrance.
And now, that privilege enjoyed and that duty
discharged YOU have come here in sober but
exalted mood. to rehearse once more the story
of the struggle which in the fire of conflict,
with battle blows. welded together the states
OF the Union and made them one and IN
separable This day and this occasion Is sa-
cred to the soldiers Of the republic in tho
great Civil War. and there is but one appro-
priate theme for the speaker Of the hour.
That is a theme worn threadbare by constant
renetition yet richer and greater with each
ma ssing year. and throbbing with a larger life
than It possessed whe7 first 1t was told In
former generation. So putting aside the allure
ments of sing events. and choosing single
a. .pect of the general theme, your attention is
called to the specific subject of "The Citizen
Soldier"
WAR NOT GLORIOUS
Let us have a frank understanding between
the sneaker and his audience at the beginning
or we shall be at cross-purposes throughout.
What do we celebrate this memorial day2
at do we glorify in song and speech? Not
War, in itseli, My voice shall never be given
to the proclamation Of the glories and grand
eurs of deadly conflict. I would be as willing
to speak the glories Of Famne-the horrible
destruction that wasteth at noonday' am
az ready for the apotheosls OF the Pestilence.
the CHASTITY destroyer that walketh in dark
-c1."
War is not glorious! 1t means ruined citie7'
prostrated villages desoated fields famine
pestilence, conhagration. violent and untmely
death, broken lives and bitter grief. War is
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