Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-30
derive benefit from the memorial of
such examples Of self-sacrifice and
Sufforinp ME- tt.5S .a

derive benefit from the memorial OF
such examples Of self-sacrifice and
suffering.
A Precious Gift.
The memorial to the honored dead is
a precious gift to the rising and f,l-
ture generations that we fail not to
turn our thoughts to those who have
finished the battles of life and have
gone to their rest leaving to us her
itage such as never has been recorded
in the annals OF history that their In
fluence and example may perfect our
lives and the lives Of unborn genera
tons.
1t is good for those who have gone
from us; 1t Is good for the surviving
veterans; 1t is good for us and will be
good for future sons and daughters to
commemorate those who, having serv-
ed God and country. have passed TO
their reward.
One might say OF Memorial day as
we say of our church festival, "All
Saints Day" when we especially re-
member the departed Of our families
and friends. IT'S day to visit
graves and burial places and to fling
wreaIhs Of remembrance upon the
spot that holds beloved dust. So
mourn we-not as without hope.
Too much honor cannot be given to
the veterans of the civil war, living
or dead, because Of the great sacri-
fees that they made and the patient
suffering they endured. How hard 1t
must have been to leave everything
near and dear to them! In many In
stances 1t was the husband and father
that bid farewell that he might serve
in his country's need. 1t is hard for
us who enjoy the triumphs Of our
fathers to realize these great sacri-
fees. Can we imagine anything that
would take greater heroism! It may
have been a mother or sweetheart
that was left behind, in any case the
chain was unlinked, the goodbye was
said as under the stars and stripes
they marched into the very jaws of
death. It was the time in many q
mans life when he was just finishing
or entering on q preparation for lifes
work and business. Opportunities
were forfeited that could never be re-
gained. My father gave over, his
chance of an education that never
came to him again which always has
been great regret to him. To an
swer the call meant sacrifice and prov
ed the patriotic spirit and the temper
Of the metal necessary to the saliva
ton OF nations unity.
Nor were they the only ones to saci-
fice and to suffer What Of the wom-
en-? In lonely solitude of dreadful
days and sleepless nights they proved
themselves brave and true in giving up
loved ones and remaining behind to
watch and pray and work in an agony
of anxiety beyond all measure. Thank
God for the wondrous men and WON
en- of that day who have set us ex-
amples Of bravery. and heroism that
must make US the more courageous to
meet the vicissitudes Of life, more pa
triotic to do greater service to our
country.
Yet again we and succeeding gener-
atoms cannot give too great honor
and reverence to the men Of the
Grand army of the Republic because
as the results witness they proved
themselves men of value and courage,
men worthy to receive our homage.
That which will stand out in history
a living memory, that which will APP
peal to those In future generations
when time has DESTROYED the personal
touch, is the great monument Of q
nations union for ever.
Three Periods.
Let us for our immediate purpose
make an arbitrary division of our, ma
tons building, into three periods:
from the adoption of the constitution
to the war Of the rebellion; the civil
war itself to the present; the present
and future development.
During the first period the tremen-
duous work of construction took place.
great and solid foundations OF gov
eminent were laid deep and true. AS
a great wall was nation builded,
stones OF justice and nDerty were set
In place, tested and plummed.. The
most s,lilful architects and builders
enlisted their marvellous abilities and
wondrous energies In it's construc-
ton, calling into action all their vtgor
and resources. 1t Is an observation
from history that God raises up men Of
stature according to the needs of the
time. What mighty men these toilers
were, mighty in strength, mind, char
acter and purpose Of soul. Slowly,
cautiously, skillfully, each stone was
laid in its place until all was built.
Then comes time when some founda-
ton stone In this great wall proved to
be untrue, badly chiseled; some
where the workmen, in spite Of their
wisdom and skill made mistakes and
there Is q great rent in the wall.
Again there was enlisted whatever
awaiting resources the nation afforded.
Men giving their best powers OF mind
and body, nay more. their very life
blood to repair and prevent the breach
that meant destruction; to cement the
rent. to re-chisel certain stones and
to set them into permanent place.
What toll was needed, what suffer-
ing, endurance and sacrifice did the
workmen undergo to keep the mighty
structure from ruin! Once the
cementing accomplished, the archi-
lecture restored. 1t must be maintained
protected, adorned and beautified.
Two OF these periods the building
and cementing have been recorded on
the pages Of immortal history, the
other period. the maintenance, Is the
work in progression.
The designing and building Of the
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