The Irish standard., 1916-02-19
First Volunteer of Civil War
Buried from St. Paul
Cathedral

An eloquent sermon was delivered
by Archbishop Ireland at the funeral
of ]. R. King. The first man to an
.swer President Lincoln's call for 75,-
600 volunteers during the civil war
was buried on Lincoln's Birthday
from the st. Paul Cathedral, st. Paul.
Most Reverend John Ireland, Arch
bishop Of st. Paul, himself veteran
of the Civil War, preached an elo.
Quent sermon over the body of the
man who had the distinction of be.
ing the first to answer the call of the
martyred president. The funeral was
held at 9 a. m. It was attended by
Gov. BurnQuist, Adj. Gen. Wood, men,
bers of the Governors staff, Mayor
Powers, members of the City Coun-
Gil. Veterans of the Grand Army of
the Republic. as we'll as the Sons of
Veterans and many hundreds of citi-
zens. Rev. Father Finley celebrated
Solemn High mass. The body of Col.
King was borne to Calvary Gene.
terry on the same caisson as that
which bore the remains of Gov. Ham
mond. Members of the First Regi-
ment Minnesota National Guard act
ed as an escort. The pail bearers
were chosen from among the Sons of
Veterans. Archbishop Ireland in de.
livering his eloquent sermon spoke in
part as follows:
"F'or citizen to enlist in the de.
tense of his country fifty-five years
ago calls for your greatest admira-
tion. A short time before this event
a cannon ball crushed through the
waters OF Charleston bay, aimed at
the flag of our country-an insult to
that flag. It meant secession; it
meant the disruption of the Union and
the probable destruction Of the ma
tion. i
''The moment the proclamation
came from President Lincoln at the
White House in Washington calling
to arms $4,000 volunteers, Alexander
Ramsey, Governor Of Minnesota, was
at Lincoln's side. Immediately he
wired to the State Capitol of his
state asking the men of Minnesota
to get ready to assist in preserving
the Union.
THE word was flashed to the hall
of the old Pioneer Guards of Mime
sofa, and at once Josias R. King said.
I will enlist; will give my time and
my life, IL need be, to the Union that
1t may not be disrupted and destroy.
ed A young man, full of the exuber-
ance Of youth, in the prime of his
manhood. ready to sacrifice himself.
his life If his country demanded it,
that the flag should not be dishon-
ored, his country might live.
Prom, every section Of the North
other men Joined young King, and
through four years of awful conflict
bore the battle, and saved the Union.
"Shall We blame the spirit that act
tuated Josias r. King that April
morning? Shall we blame the great
Lincoln? Shall we blame the great
commanders who led in a hundred bat
ties? Shall we blame the tens of thou
sands of our young men who suffered
and died on the battle field? Shall
we blame the wonderful military
spirit which fought and conquered
. during that terrible strife? Shall we
say the Civil War was a mistake?
Silence the tongue of those who
say war is never to be contenanced
and never justified" he shouted. "Si-
lence the tongue who tells us that
no battlefield should be stained with
blood. that war is blot on civiliza-
tion. War is something to be feared
because of the sacrifice of men and
treasure. But there is something
more to be feared than war;. 1t is
dishonor of the old flag which today
covers the body of this brave soldier.
It is the insult to that flag and the
disgrace which comes to our beloved
country.
OUE COuuIIy 10 udUc up VI SCdC'
tered entities. But with all of these
it is Our country first and he who
as a citizen of this country is not
ready when our nation is threatened
to sacrifice his life for its honor is a
shame and a disgrace to humanity
Religion contemplates the sacrifice
for God has said that His children
shall not bear the sword in vain
against they that do evil.
my prayer is that our country may
have social and commercial peace
that we may have the prosperity tc
make US great in all things good, and
may have quick response to patriot
ic duty. We hear much of peace al
any sacrifice. Peace with honor, yes
Peace to the glory of our country
yes. But if it means that we are tt
be the prey of international ambi
tion; If it means that we are to d.
the bidding of every other nation OF
earth, and that our flag must dip II
disgrace. then. we must not have
peace.