Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-01

!
publicans Of the Sixth Dis
trict.
by the G. A. r. posts Co. 9, l. N. e.
and patriotic citizens Crowds were
gathered at the court house and city
park during the formation of the pa
rade. The work being done about
the city park making the, use of that
place impractical. crowded the throngs
about the court house, library and st.
| Mary's church until the parade began
! to move. AS the band played dirges,
| the parade moved slowly toward the
Ottumwa cemetery where the exer-
cises of the day followed within an
hour
Hamilton Presided.
The crowds at the cemetery and
! about the entrance as the parade ap-
preached was larger and as the street
cars discharged their cargoes of pas
sengers, became larger, and proved
! a great manifestation of respect for
the departed who are honored today.
The flower detail of the G. A. R. with
a firing squad from Co. G halted at
the soldiers lot located prominently
along the Court street fence, and as
the salute was fired, school children
placed the garlands Of natures beau
ties upon the mounds that cover
the departed soldiers. The band was
seated about the grand stand which
was located in the usual spot shaded
nicely and centered within a large
space suitable for the gathering Of an
audience. Following the salute and
decoration Of graves, the program
proper was started by Major A. h.
Hamilton, president of the day, who
made a few remarks and announced
the various numbers. The invocation
was delivered by Rev. ]. F. Robertson,
who is his prayer fittingly alluded to
the character of the observance In
which all we're engaged. He also In.
voked the benediction at the close Of
the service. Selections by the band
we're delivered during the program.
Veteran Made Address.
The speaker of the day was SAINT
kirkpatrick of Greensboro, N. c.,
whose service in the internal revenue
department of the national govern
ment has kept him in the southland
d
is an Iowa veteran and claims Wapel-
10 county as his home, dividing his
time when on a furlough between OF.
tumwa and Highland township.
In his address, which vibrated with
patriotism, SAINT Kirkpatrick paid
lasting tribute to the veterans OF
the civil war who have passed to the
great beyond. The orator dwelled
upon the great possession of mother,
telling of her influence when the now
veterans were pushing side by side in
the line of battle. Mr. Kirkpatrick ex-
pressed his feeling that memorial day
should be held in deep conservation.
He recalled those soldiers with whom
he had fought shoulder to shoulder but
who have now entered eternity and
paid lasting tribute to them. Mr.
Kirkpatrick urged the sons OF veterans
to hold to old glory and the ways OF
Christian life that they may keep this
nation the greatest on earth. Follow
! ing is his address:
"Mr. Chairman, Comrades, Sons OF
Veterans, Ladies and Gentlemen:
STANDING as l do today, within the
shadows of where I spent my boy
hood days, I am forcibly impressed
with that sentiment so beautifully
woven into song by the poet when he
said there is no place like home The
| heroism of warriors may vanish be-
! fore the sunlight of progressive ages,
the chiselled efforts of the sculptor
may crumble into dust and find un-
disturbed repose in the valley Of yes
terday The pastor and the partisan
may lie buried together in the grave
yard of oblivion, but the matchless
lines of John Howard Payne will be
sung throughout all ages world with
out end. John Howard Payne never
had a home; never owned one; at the
age of sixty-two he died in foreign
land; his body was subsequently re-.
turned to this country and given a
Christian burial, and today all that is
mortal of that great man lies confined
within the silent walls of windowless
tomb. His spirit Is set free in some
mansion on high. mid the numberless
stars, of beautiful sky.
Mother.
| speaking of home, the soldier said
| Dreaming of home, dear old home,
home of my childhood and mother, oft
when wake tbs sweet to find I've been
dreaming of home and mother 1t was
only last year that I buried mother,
and if I'm permitted to follow on and
enter the gates ajar, and do not find
mother there, do not feel that such
| place would be heaven to me. 1t
was a mothers tears and mothers
prayers that encouraged you and I,
while in the thickest Of the battle.
The irrepressible conflict came the
great civil war has ended, tents have
Ebeen struck the camp fires have been
extinguished, but the memories of our
sacred dead still linger with us.
"The great architect and builder Of
the universe commanded that we re-
member the Sabbath day to keep it holy
otherwise would honor and revere
Memorial day as the most sacred Of