The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1915-06-03
OLD SOLDIERS
SET EXAMPLES
THEIR PATRIOTISM HAS INSpIR-
ED YOUTH OF NATION TO
HIGHER SENSE OF RE
SPONSIBILITIES.

That the patriotic services of the
Grand Army of the Republic half a
century ago had established an ex-
ample in patriotism that ever thrill
ed the hearts and minds of the young
er generation, setting a eve stand
ard in civic Righteousness, was the
theme of the Memorial day address
delivered at the city hall auditorium
this afternoon by Frank w. Mitchell
NJ. Boice. commander of the G. a
r. and S. Cattrell. adjutant, hat
charge of the services this afternoon
Music was furnished by the higI
school girls glee club, under the di
~rection of Miss Mabelle Price anc
by Louis L%ovinger and Stanley Yer
milyea. in a duet. Lincoln's Gettys
lurg address was read by j. III. Nol'
The singing of "America'' by tho
audience closed the exercises.
Il am old-fashioned enough to
believe" said Mr.. Mitchell. chat al
occasion of this kind should not be
used to preach a sermon or to de.
Velop 0y ideas of how this nation
should be run and the policies that
should govern the administration OF
our government: but rather that this
should be an hour devoted to recall
ing the deeds of men who saved the
union in the civil war, and to voice
IL need of praise to the men who
preserved our nation from the shock
of rebellion.
1--WE are gathered to honor the
dead and rnna11 fhpir InnHS of Na1nr
The youth, entering upon life's strug-
giles, who can look back upon a
noble and manly ancestry. II which
fought and won life's battles, can
turn and plunge into the conflict with
a confidence that is half the victory
Won The heroism that thrilled his
forefathers will come back to him
in a flood of memory that will tune
his heart to a song of victory. AS it
is with the individual so with the
nation. The nation that can look
back upon an honorable and heroic
past is better nerved for the con
hict of the present day.
To-day a nation pauses in the
busy struggle for commercial su-
premacv to pay honor TIC the memory
u .CuV SOILS WIZ ollticN tilCii
lives, if need be, a sacrifice to coun-
try and to home; and to the uncom-
planning folaitude of their mothers.
wives and sisters. Their deeds re-
mind us we can make II lives a liv-
ing sacrifice for that same country.
Every drop of blood shed by YOU and
by your departed comrades, every
hardship endured, when recalled in
story, in song or in history. eNerts
an untold influence for loyalty and
patriotism.
AS your thinning ranks march
down our streets, year after year,
and your deeds are recalled. the spir-
jt of patriotism takes new life in the
hearts of. the people and their souls
are filled with q lofty love of coun-
try. Many a young man renews the
covenant between himself and God,
that if ever the cali ome for such
a sacrifice on his part, it Will be
promptly met. Love of country per
vades our land as perhaps no other,
and these Memorial and Decoration
days have had a mighty influence
upon that spirit until it knows no
distinction of race, in creed, in color
u in section.
at fires the heart of the dusky
Black man and he rushcs up the side
.,f San Juan hill in the face OF o
leaden rain from an unseen foe OF
thrice his number, stands day after
lay in the miasmatic trench, night
litter night upon sleepless guard, un-
complaining and unconquerable by
human foe or deadly pestilence. The
jpirit of union for which you fought,
now %prevades the southland unit
he sons of your bitterest enemies
seek in every way TO testify thei1
loyalty.
1T is a record that your children
fathers fought in the great American
conflict. Costly monuments are rear
I'd over the graves of the wealthy
lead, shafts of purest marble mark
the resting place of the powerful and
mighty men of the earth, but as tne
lines of blue enter the cemeteries OF
our northland today and place their
lowers and wreaths, they will lay
hem not alone on the grave marked
1y marble shaft, but upon the grave
over which float the tiny flag that
marks it as a soldiers resting place
"That little flag flying over the
raves in our cemeteries is a grander
monument than any marble column
III it's folds is fritten an epitaph that
will asst longer and sink deeper in
he hearts OF your countrymen thar
my chiselled in stone. I proclaimS
hat here lies one who had some part
n that great conflict. one who offer
ID his life upon the country's altar
)ne who struck at least one blow tc
freak the shackles from three mil
ION peope, one perhaps, whose life
flood helped to swell the crimson
ide that was required to wash away
hat national sin of slavery, one
whose energy and vitality was sap
oed in an effort to hurl back the re
5ellious hordes which held their hui
nan chattles more dear than coun-
ry Vigilant. indeed, should every
Nd soldier be that no word or deed
'hould ever mar a record like .hat.
out that untarnished it should de
;cend to his children and his child