Semi-weekly herald., 1913-02-17
MEMORIAL EXERCISES

By special invitation The G. A. R.
and W. r. C. had tn pleasure of
listening to a very instructive and
well rendered sermon sunday even
ing at the Methodist Episcopal church.
The altar and choir raniag was artis-
tically decorated with the national col
crs and the music was appropriate
for the occasion. Though muchc dis
cussed it seems one can always find
something new in the history of Abra-
ham Lincoln. But Rev Mr. Vermil-
lions talk Sunday night, while very
interesting, was littlc beyond the
ordinary, and while Lincoln has been
claimed at times by most all denomi-
nations and accused of being a free
thinker, agnostic or atheist yet he
proved beyond a doubt that Lincoln
when he came face to fsce with grave
difficulties or the deener things of
life slipped quietly away by himself
and asked divine blessing and aid. He
described Lincoln's visit to the hospi-
tai to call upon General Sickles, the
hero of Gettysburg, who had had his
leg amputated, and not knowing that
messenger was already on the way
with news of victory he told General
Sickles they must win as he had
prayed for victory at Vicksburg. He
described the visit OF delegation of
ignorant negroes (for they were al
lowed no privilege of an education at
that time) who to show their appre-
ciatlon of being free from slavery pre-
sented Lincoln with beautiful Bible,
and Lincoln told them it was good
book and for them to follow it's in
structions, for without it one could
never hope to attain th9 greatest sue
cess.
The G. A. R., W. r. C. and public
met last night at the hall to honor
the 104th anniversary of Abraham
Lincoln. The Durango band gave an
open air serenade at the foot of the
stairs. The lodge room was beauti-
fully decorated, appropriate for the
OCCASION AS the crowd commenced
to gather Mrs. Adelaide Sickenger ia
vored the audience with few instru-
mental selections on the piano. The
audience joined in singing the great
national anthem "The Star Spangied
Banner Mr.. Wingate then made a
short address and among other things
declared 1t was customary and be-
fitting for the boys of fifty years ago
who bravely marched to the front un-
der the Stars and Stripes to meet to-
gether each year and honor the i'm
mortal Lincoln who had liberated
human race and made freedom a real
ity. few veterans were present who
had the honor of shaking hands with
| Lincoln and hearing him speak. Rev.
Mr.. Vermillion then offered up
beautiful and touching prayer. Next
on program was the recitation of a
poem by Mrs. Rhoda Hubbard, en-
titled, "The Two Voices" One voice
represented an old man, an ardent
follower of Lee who had worn the
gray of the southland, and the othe.
had been follower of Grant and had
worn the blue uniform of the north.
AT the end of their argument they
clasped hands in friendship and up
held the grand old Stars and Stripes.
The audience joined in singing one
of our best loved hymns ever print
ed, The Battle Hymn of the Repub-
lie. The Mandolin club, consisting
of Elbert Hubbard, Sim Stanley, Rich
ard Cram and Harry Harper, volun-
teered their services and played
couple of lively pieces, Marching
Thro' Georgia" and Dixie Land" that
were greatly enjoyed by ALL Mr. Win
gate then introduced the Rev. Mr..
Vermilllon who made most elo-
quent address on the Qualities of
Lincoln He spoke of the ancient Ro-
man custom of placing marble busts
OF great men in every house but tilat
was not necessary now for the feel
ing OF patriotism was so instilled in
every child that the name of Lincoln,
our first martyred president, would be
eulogized thousand years hence
when we are dead and forgotten. He
declared no better story could be told
to encourage young men than the
story of Lincoln born in poverty and
penury with no opportunities, a back
woods boy in home spun, yet he walk
ed from the log cabin to the White
house and gained one of the greatest
victories for the American people. the
freeing from bondage of a human
race. He spoke of the worlds prog
ress since then and thought if it were
possible for Lincoln to return to earth
he might see the same old sun shin
ing in the heavens and the same deep
ocean dash against the rocky shore.
the same large body of water flow
to the gulf but there would be such
a transformation in commercial and
industrial activities he would hardly
recognize it as the same place. He
touched lightly on politics and said he
was anxious to see the electoral COL
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