Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-01
WOMAN. HONORS
old VETERANS
MRS. EMMA sWINNEY WALKER
PAID LASTING TRIBUTE TO
SOLDIER DEAD SUNDAY.
FORC Full ADDRESS
All Were Inspired With Spirit Of
Honor at Services Held In Jay
Cemetery Near BIakesburg
Largely Attended.


Cemetery Near BIakesburo
Largely Attended.
Blakesburg, May 31.-A lasting trib
ute was paid to the soldier dead b!
| Mrs. Emma Swinney Walker at the
/ memorial services held in the Jay
cemetery, near Blakesburg, Sunday at
ternoon. The address was most force,
full, wildly picturing to the company
congregated to pay honor to the vet
Grams, the respect in which the mem
bers of the G. A. r. should be held by
all. Following is the address of Mrs.
Walker:
Mr.. Chairman, Surviving Veterans
and Friends: -Forty-six years have
now been added to the cycles of time
since peace was restored to our dis
] tracted country at the close of the
| great civil war, and yet on this par
ticular occasion of the year, the men,
DRY of those four years Of fearful
struggle is as fresh as the flowers
strewn upon the graves of friends and
heroes dead.
Biblical history teaches us how
| Moses led the children Of Israel out OF
Egyptian bondage, but our United
| States school histories OF the present
| day teach us how our own beloved
| land was freed from slavery by the
union soldiers-the best men of our
country They went enmasse at the
call of their country to fight and die
for the eternal right, and nothing could
be more fitting than for the north.
south, east and west to unite one day
each year and honor those to whom
honor is due and to show our graft
tude and respect to the few living
soldiers and offer tears and flowers
for the dead.
The war for the union was war for
righteousness. We have put aside
such hurtful nonsense as that it was a
little unpleasantness, or a late mis-
understanding AS to its essential
meaning 1t was not a war between the
states, nor was it under any funda-
mental sense a war between the north
and the south. 1t was the war of the
rebellion.
The North Was Right.
Rebellion was treason. Treason
against lawful government, human
rights and God. On this occasion 1t
is fitting time to tell the young the
dreadful facts of war; the sublime
bravery of our soldiers; the terrible
hardships which they endured, and
why.
Not because they were forced into
service by despotic government, or
because they, being restless at home,
sought adventure; not that they fought
and won simply because they were
stronger than the enemy, but because
the cause of the north was right, and
the cause of the south was wrong.
Our cause was right because it champ
toned that grand principle OF the
rights Of man and liberty of the In
dividual-for which the world has
struggled since the earliest ages of
history records.
How true the words Of Gen. Logan
when referring to this grand principle
when he said, Our comrades gave
their lives to perpetuate it's growth
and progress to the end of time. They
died not only for their country, but
fer all mankind"
Teaching these facts to the young
while we have some of the soldiers
with us. gives them more just and
proper appreciation of what consti-
tntes real patriotism, and what 1t was
they were willing to suffer In order
that liberty-the grandest gift vouch-
safed to man-might endure.
Our Heroes Were Many.
Let us impress upon their young
minds how our fathers followed that
beautiful tri-colored banner four, long
bloody years, Offering their bright
young lives, honestly and willingly up
on the affairs to God--the battlefields.
Ours is the only country that can
boast of heroes who have won for
their fellowmen homes of peace and
wealth and for themselves only death |
less fame. Other countries looked on
in wonder: they could not realize a
soldier fighting with his heart in it.
They understood not this American
ism. Our private soldiers did have
hearts and fought valiantly for our |
freedom. which was dearer to them
than all else. Friends, a few years
ago when some one said that soon
would our soldiers all have camped on
heavens campground, we thought lit
tie of it's meaning, but now We fully |
realize the fact that rapidly as they
are dropping from the ranks, they Will
soon all be gone and their warfare on
earth peacefully ended. "
we are prOuU IOQdy W say LILY
father was one of those who gave his
best for his country" and friends,
there will come time when others
will saw with pride, Il once saw civil
war soldier" So before they are all
gone, let us try to prove to them that
since they preserved us nation, that
we can live the true American spirit
loving and protecting every fold of our
flag, and keep our union safe forever.
wonder if we always think Of
our flag as we should. A few years
ago friend was waiting for train
to bear him away as missionary to
India. While sauntering up and down
the station platform, he stopped by a
little flag and said, I never thought
very much about that flag until now.
just now realize that that little flag !
will be my sole protection in heather !
land 1t cannot be compared with any
other banner. Of more than 100 flags
representing as many nations. none
are so cherished by SO many other
nations as our own beloved Star
30 |