The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1917-05-26
MEMORIAL DAY PROCLAMATION.
(By the Governor

well-night three score years have
passed since our fathers took up
arms for the cause OF the Union.
That was a righteous war, a holy
war. II was waged for unity and
] liberty and human happiness Four
years the conflict ragged Then came
the end. and the Union was saved
Gnu the slaves were set free. Some
OF those WHO fought in that war are
With u yet, though a fast diminish
ing company. Year by year their
ranks grow thinner. One by one their
comrades leave them.
Fer nany years our people have
gone forth on Memorial Day 10 place
flowers on the graves OF those veter-
sns Of the great Civil War who have
one beyond, and 10 pay tribute OF
respect 10 those who still remain. II
IL a beautiful custom. May the time
never come when IL shall die out
May this generation. and the genera
tons yet 10 come, never forget what
they owe 10 the brave men who
fought their battles for them.
this year Memorial Day has an es-
pccial significance. With most OF Us
NJ 10 this time. the observance OF tho
day has been more or less perfume
tory We have scarcely realized it,
meaning Today that meaning Is
brought home 10 us through the grim
reality OF war The world at war,
Three years ago We scoffed at the
suggestion. II could not be- The
thing was unthinkable; but the i'm
possible happened The great pow
ers across the sea came 10 death
grips Mems hearts melted within
them. In Europe a deep-seated earth
quake seemed 10 heave up the basis
OF civil life; and the tribunals Of
men. and the thrones of monarchs,
and the temples OF God were shaken
to the lowest atom OF their struc-
ture Still We hoped that our own
land would fare free. Neutral we
would remain, and 30 calmly about
our peaceful pursuits. II was not "a
be. The menace 10 human freedom
became too frightful; and today we
are al war Our sons are being draft
ed Our daughters are enlisting un-
der the Red Cross banner From
ocean 10 ocean the Nation is girdine
up its loins for the fray.
This too is a righteous war. We
did not want war We did our best
to keep out OF war; but there was
no escape from the situation The
rights Of all neutrals were being con
tomruously disregarded. The free.
dom ~ the seas was being denied
as American citizens were being
slaughtered in defiance OF interna.
tional law and the rules Of civilized
warfare Democracy was being slow.
" throttled, and our very existence
az a free nation was being threaten.
ed. This ruthless war rang out Z
strident challenge 10 our manhood
Our cause then is just cause It Z,
the cause OF human freedom. We
stand no for the right OF humanity
and fling our banner to the nations
God grant that out OF this universe
conflict, out Of the sacrifice OF blood
and tears and treasure. the world
may come forth with a clearer. purei
soul
Therefore that We may pay a trib.
ate OF affection and esteem to tn,
surviving veterans OF the Civil war
and Of the Spanish American War
and honor the memory OF those who
save up their lives in our cause. !
Albert r. Sleeper. governor Of IN,
state OF Michigan. do hereby issue
this. my Proclamation, and sincerel,
urge the Observance OF Wednesday
Msy 3oth. 1907 as Memorial Day.