Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-06-02
MEMORIAL day WAS OBSERVED
SERVICES HELD AT OAKLAND
CElMETERY-ADDREss BY
REV. JOHN WATSON

SERVICES HELD AT OAKLAND
cEMETERY-ADDREss BY
REV. JOHN WATSON
Very impressive memorial services
were held at the Oakland cemetery on
Monday morning, to honor the mem
bers of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, living and dead. More than a
thousand people were present, the
weather being ideal. Old soldiers to
the number Of about thirty and an
equal number Of members Of the Wom-
ems Relief corps were also present, be-
ing conveyed in hacks. The parade
started from the city hall at 10 a. NJ,
and wound its way to the cemetery,
where the services were held imme-
diately upon arriving.
Rev. Hermann of the German Luth-
eran church delivered the invocation,
which was followed by the song "The
Star Splangled Banner'' by quartet
composed Of Misses Elaine Ruth and
Beatrice Severinson and Petrus Lille
dahl and Ernest Carlson. The G. A. r.
! ritual was then given by the officers of
that organization and this was follow
ed by the songs "Memorial Day Song'
| and "Long, Long Live America,' by
the quartet, with Miss Elvira Ruth as
accompanist. J. G. Burial read the
Gettysburg address and Miss Elaine
Ruth then sang a solo.
Rev. John Watson of the M. E.
church delivered a very fitting and
able memorial address. In opening he
stated that it would have been super
fuous for him to make a speech if all
had committed ito memory the great
Gettysburg address, Just previously
given by Mr.. Burial. Unfortunately
very few have done so, he said, and
for that reason it is necessary to call
ones attention to it.
The words which fell from the mouth
of Abraham Lincoln on the field at
Gettysburg still hold true, the speaker
said, and although the true national
spirit is shown on the battlefelds still
it is not always manifested there. Be-
hind national growth lies a knowledge
and reverence of it's laws. The law
from the pen Of Moses and a still
greater one, the law of the Jesus
Christ, are most essential in the growth
| and prosperity Of a nation, he said. It's
growth will also forever depend large
ly on the number of men and women
who qualify for service for the public
without seeking adequate payment for
the same
Since the European war broke out,
Rev. Watson stated, many situations
have arisen which have proven that
the question must be settled, not with
lblg guns, ETC., but by man, face to
face. At the outbreak of the war some
ridiculed France, saying that it's army
| could never Withstand the advance Of
the ae1ny, but still todayFrance. holds
practically the same place as she did
when the war broke out. Others ridi-
culed Germany, claiming that it's peo-
pie would never follow the plans and
ideas proposed by it's leaders, but still
they are doing so. The possible inva-
sion Of Belgium by Germany was treat
ed lightly but nevertheless it came
about; conscription in the British Isles
was ridiculed and said to be impossi-
pie but in spite Of it an army of over
i've million men was raised: the king
dom OF Turkey was said to be thing
OF the past, but still that little coun.
try is doing her share of the fighting
and is the same Turkey that it was
before the war. All Of this proves that
1t is not question Of big guns, etc.,
but question of man. When the final
day of reckoning comes, the question
must be decided between men, face to
face.
! Rev: Watson pointed out the need of
an intelligent community, an intelli-
gent nation with convictions. Not all
illiteracy here comes from the old
countries, he said. There are places
right here in Morrison county where
there can be found a large number OF
people who cannot read or write any
language under the heavens. True
Americanism means free speech, free
press, and a free ballot, subject to the
laws of the land, not subject to the
whim of any individual person or any
organization, be it political, churchly
or otherwise. People should take part
in their political privileges and in or
der to do so requires Informed and in
telligent citizens. A part of what we
have here we have inherited and a
part Of it has been wrought here and
therefore we should work out and give
to coming generations that which is
better. We should seek to be men and
women of conviction concerning these
things. In closing MS address Rev.
Watson stated that we shall finally
meet in land where creeds and par.
ties do not count, where we shall meet
each other as brothers and sisters be-
fore the Heavenly Father.
! The. services closed with songs
"Tenting On the Old Camp Grounds'
and "America' by the Quartet and
benediction by Rev. Hermann. The
band rendered several selections be-:
fore and after the services.
ELKs TAKE IN BIG CLASS
A class Of nineteen candidates were
initiated into the Elks lodge here last
night, at a special meeting held for