The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1912-06-06

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we will unfurl the stars and stripes,
and let it revel in the breeze as a
token of our loving gratitude to the
men of the Grand Army.
II have known seaman on the
New England coast to leave his home
to go on a voyage that would last
several weeks. I have seen this man
return from an unsuccessful voyage
tired, cold and wet from winters
trip. Silent and discouraged he
would enter his little home. But in
the sitting room stove there was a
hard coal fire and by the stove neat
ly folded was a dry warm pair of.
thick wooden socks for him; there
was one Of the very best women God
ever let live with CHEEKY smile and
words for him; there was his young
est son to ask all sorts of questions
about his trip, and not to be for
gotten was the hot cup of strong tea.
Soon this seaman would begin to
cheer up; the blues were dispelled,
and time and time again have I
heard him speak in highest terms of
his home. Let any one seek to do
harm to that home and that loving
husband and father became a living
terror. We all love our homes. The
one who attacks us through our
homes makes of us a most bitter
enemy. God bless my home! Don't
you seek to attack me there, is the
heartfelt thought Of every man who
is a man. Thus men love to hear
wives and mothers praised. We
praise and we reverence the women
of the days Of sixty-one. Do you
doubt many a woman bore more ex-
circulating pain than the husband or
son at the front? The young wife
with the babe had to fight her
battles alone. There is strength in
being shoulder to shoulder with
brave men. There is inspiration in
martial music. There is encourage
ment in seen victories. But the
women were alone. God alone knows
how anxiety always tugged at their
hearts. Our mothers were heroines.
Their sorrowing sacrifice, their
fortitude and brave deeds, with
those of the veteran, should always
be remembered. Men were men, be-
cause true women had taught them
the meaning of home.
''There is nothing on Gods earth
in the way Of an institution that is
not found fault with. Our eyes are
not blind to certain defects in our
army and navy, and in our National
Guard system. We are not Ignorant
OF some weaknesses in our industrial
and social life. But with all our
faults, the present day patriotism of
the American youth is a source of
satisfaction. In ninety-eight the
United States as a whole sustained
the heritage of the fathers. Sec
tlonalism was knocked into cooked
hat. Our ships were not toy ships,
our sailors are not imitation
men, and the world knows it. The
personnel, individuality and ability
of our army is a marvel to the old
world. Read of our troops when in
China. Our flag demands and COM
mands respect the world over. The
American youth are the fathers
own sons. Veterans and fathers,
women of the Relief corps and
mothers; this day is yours. We have
tried to stick to the text
Forrest McVicar gave very good
rendition of Lincoln's Gettysburg
address and A. z. Norton read
General Logan's orders. The inyo-
cation was offered by Rev. Service
and the benediction pronounced bv
Rev. Fisher.
The veterans then fell into line
and, headed by the band, proceeded
to Oak Knoll cemetery, where the
roll call of the dead was read and
the Impressive ritualistic ceremonies
of the Grand Army of the Republic
were conducted. Chaplain r. W.
Freer read the service and was as
sisted by Commander f. A. Lowell. |
"A squad of the National Guard then
fired three volleys over the graves,
the bugles sounded and the old SOL |
oilers proceeded to decorate the
graves of their dead comrades with
flowers and flags. Veterans of the
spanlsh-American war, accompanied
by the militia, also placed blossoms
upon the last resting places of their
comrades-two of whom are buried
at Oak Knoll. During these OBJ