The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1915-06-03
FITTlNCLY OBSERVED
Impressive Services in Princeton
Mark the Annual Observance
of Memorial Day.
DR.. S. F. Kerfoot, President of ham,
line University, Delivers an
Eloquent Address.

served on Monday, and citizens
throughout the United States con-
gregated at various places to again
pay tribute to our honored soldier
dead. 1t is entirely fitting that the
people of this nation should thus
gather once year to honor the
memory of those men who partici.
pated in the memorable conflict that
decided whether the union should
endure, and the citizens realize that
to pay reverent tribute to those
brave men is sacred duty.
Impressive services marked the
annual observance of the day in
Princeton-services for those who
are still with US as we'll as for those
who have been called to the ranks
on the other side. Each year the
list of survivors grows shorter, and
all should endeavor to treat the few
who remain with kindly courtesy and
respect. The services we're con-
Quoted at the armory and that
spacious building was crowded. All
realized the true significance Of the
day. and the audience listened to the
exercises in solemn and thoughtful
manner.
About l 80 p. M. the drum corps,
Company G, M. N. G.. Wallace 7.
Rines post and the Woman's Relief
corps formed in line at the T. H.
Galley residence and marched to the
armory, which was then almost
filed Seats had been reserved for
tile old veterans in the center row
we'll up toward the front, and they
were in position to hear everyt thing
with distinctness.
The Citizens band rendered sew
eral selections at the opening of the
program, and stirring number by
= the Jones' drum corps followed.
After another pleasing band selec-
tion, mixed chorus of about 80
voices favored the audience with a
song. A prayer by Rev: Samuel
Johnson Of the Princeton Congrega-
tional church was next, and then
DR.. S. F. Kerfoot, president Of
Hamline university: delivered an
eloquent and patriotic address. r..
Princeton was fortunate in secur-
ing the services of DR.. Kerfoot upon
this occasion, and his remarks were
particularly appropriate. He called
attention to the fact that the people
were assembled upon this occasion
as a tribute to American patriotism.
That they we're assembled as one
people, not as representatives of
various nationalities. Memorial day
was designated as Americas All
Saints day, not that all the soldiers
were saints but because they had
nobly done their part in building up
and preserving the honor, integrity
and ideals of the nation. The
speaker then stated that the genius
of America is to face forward as this
country is still in it's YOUTH but
upon Memorial day the nation turns
about to face the past and again con-
slider the old problems. While En-
rope has often declared that the
United States has no traditions and
no past, DR.. Kerfoot called atten-
tion to the fact that the history of
the best nations of the world is ours.
The streams that flowed together to
make this country were people of
Europe. People who loved liberty,
and who would sacrifice anything
rather than principle. They had
learned through the fires of persecu-
tion to value liberty. Puritans and
cavaliers, Protestants and Catholics
who had sought this land were all
cited as examples of the splendid
class of citizens that established
this government, at time when
persecution and intolerance was rife
in Europe. They were cultured and
refined, loyal to traditions and loyal
to convictions. They planted their
homes here against tremendous odds,
but the hardships endured built up
stalwart and vigorous people. All
endeavored to live up to the, Ideals
and traditions of the past, said the
speaker, but there came time
when demands were made that they
could not endure, and it was then
that the country began to shape
toward national life. The colonies
realized that in union alone is there
safety. and representatives of the
colonies met and sent forth the
Declaration of Independence. The
Liberty Bell then sounded the first
tones of freedom that had ever been
heard in the nation, and the struggle
soon followed. Great sacrifices were