Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-09-19

IGu.
The procession was led by the Mer-
chants band and the speaker of the
day, Hon. Earnest r. Moore, lieuten-
ant governor of Iowa, and citizens in
automobiles and committees on foot
Then the Decorah Drum Corps follow
ed by the. selected men, old soldiers
and other citizens and friends in au-
tomoDlles. 1t was one of the finest
parades we have ever seen here.
The executive committee, DR.. F. w
ConoYer, Ben Bear, and A. Leytze and
their sub committees are to be con.
graduated on the mastery way thev
carried the program through, as thei.
was not, a hitch, and everything work
ed like clock work.
The parade broke rank at the
speakers stand, and the Merchants
band rendered several patriotic airx
and Len Larson sang Goodbye
Broadway, Hello France" which was
rendered il his usual amiable style
and much enjoyed.
At 3:15 the speakers stand was
occupied by number of veterans and
the speaker of the lay, Hon Ernest r.
Moore, lieutenant governor of Iowa,
was introduced by DR.. F. w. Conover.
chairman of the day. The doc
tor, who by the way, has a son who is
now in the first call, spoke with a
wonderful feeling for all and he open.
ed his words with ITO the Americans
OF Winneshiek County" we are
gathered here on this day uniteCly to
place the badge of honor upon tue
breasts of these young soldiers Our
Boys, who are about to leave us to
take active part in defense of our
country's honor and the sa1city a1d
security of the Anerttan home. -
With these words the speaker was
greeted with a deafening applause.
Inc doctor continued by saying that
1t Is high time for us to lay awav
petty criticisms, cold formality and
! internal intrigue~and In their stead
let every loyal American pour out 70
these young men a gratitude which
springs only from hearts warmed by
the flres OF patriotism.
And il this the doctor was round-
ly cheered. He proceeded by saving
this generous gathering of enthusi-
astlc people is evidence conclusive
that the fire of American patriotism
Is beginning to burn throughout this
broad land of ours and will continue
TO burn with growing intensity and
such fervor that no foreign flood can
ever extinguish it," The speaker
proceeded by saying that ''it was that
lre that moved the citizens OF Decor
an to the big demonstration in honor
OF our soldier boys. 1t is that fire
burning deep in the breasts of men
nigh in the councils of state and IA
ton, and the fire inspiring the high
minded work of the distinguished
president of the United States, Wood
row Wilson"
The doctors words moved the big
assemblage to outbursts of cheering
and hand clapping, as they sank into
the souls of his hearers. He did not
forget the women of America either
and said lit is that fire moving that
mighty dynamo, the noble women Of
America in their colossal work if
the Red Cross, and also that it vas
that fire that moved the distinguished
gentleman who was to speak to the
people that day, to drop his business
and answer the call for assistance.
and then Mr.. Conover introduced
the Lieutenant governor of Iowa, who
delivered a fine address, couched n
patriotic language, and kept the fire
OF patriotism burning strong in the
breasts of the thousands who stood
listening to his words. lie is a big,
red blooded American and his patrio-
tic words will long be remembered
by all who heard MIN.
Lieutenant Governor Moore show.
ed that he was big man and that
his heart was in the right place
when the committee was going to pay
him for his services. He waved all
this and would not accept a cent and
told the committee if they had any
money lett over to give it to the Red
Cross.
AT the conclusion of the speaking
the Calmar band gave a delightful,
concert II front of the Winneshiel
hotel. 1t is a fine organization anC
rendered program that was much
enjoyed by the big crowd.
At six o'clock one OF the mos
tempting banQuets ever served her,
was given the soldier boys and aur,
ber of veterans at Haugens hall Tw,
long tables on either side of the hal
was loaded down with good things t