Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1917-11-22

amphitheatro with elevated seatinge,
extending up the side of steep ridge
adjoining the speaking stand, ample
and CONVENIENT for the large crowd
to enjoy the public speaking, moving
| pictures and various evening enter
| tainments.
Loyal Patriotism with win the
| War for Liberty was the central
vital theme of all addresses and en-
tertainments.
MANY strong, patriotic addresses
by speakers from all points of the
compass alike inspired the hearts of
all hearers and more firmly cemented
the bond of unity and fraternity in
spirit of true Americanism and sec
ond to none was the mastery address
of our esteemed Iowa Governor Hon.
w. L. Harding, South and North
greeted him with equal favor.
Truly, it was a scene fitted to do
ones soul good, witnessing that great
ASSEMBLY of Blue and Gray in brother
ly communion and social fellowship,
who less than "a years ago stood
face to face on contending battle
fronts in emnity and envy. feeding
each other only on powder and lead,
contending unto bloodshed and death
but now feasting, fraternizing and
rejoicing together as one common
brotherhood under the protecting
folds of "Old Glory" They alike
with us gratfully rejoice that the
Union was saved and that together
we have Zone Country and One Flag"
"Vicksburg National Military Park
in itself is model in art, engineer
ing and extensive ability that beg
gars power of description
ITO be seen only is to be appre-
ciated and to beget more and more
an ardent desire to behold. study and
admire the symmestry and beauty of
that magnificent park.
THE broad, sinuous boulevards,
winding around on tops of high rid
ges and bluffs midway between the
siege-lines of contending armies, cur
ing here and there to reach on either
side the monuments, bronze statues
and markers of the various army
corps, divisions. brigades and regi-
mental headquarters of both armies
alike; with bronze tables bearing
description of regimental positions
and action, even marking the course
of trench approaches to the opposE
| ing Forts and works. Thus work of
the entire siege, much more plainly
than chart, blueprint, or pen can
| describe.
"The position Cor circle as it is
called) of each state and national
monument is graded up. or cut down
| in each case to level of the main
| boulevard with the drive extending
around so that all sides may be plain
| ly seen. All bronze statues and
large tablets are placed near the side
and facing the drive to be easily seen
and read.
There are many granite state and
national monuments and large bronze
statues of commanding Generals.
| Illinois, perhaps, has the largest,
most expensive state monument at a
cost of S20O,000.00; while Iowa pro-
portionally falls none short with an
artistic half7circle monument at a
cost of $100,00O.00 and in addition
has a smaller monument placed OPP
posite chat part of the field on which
each group of her regiments fought,
with names of regiments and brigade
commanders and full statement of
casualties engraved on bronze tablet
attached. For this additional work
she has expended over $4,000 more
| and has all her organizations proper
| ly and neatly marked.
THUS Iowa holds front rank
among all the states there represent
ed not only in the siege work of the
capture; but also in the park con-
struction and representation in re-
MEMBRANES of her dead and living
boys in blue who participated in what
ever memorable siege for the Union
Besides this man who, at the
| beginning was appointed by the U. S.
Government as one of the three
Vicksburg Park Commissioners; who
purchased for tho Government all
the land enclosed in the park; who
mainly supervised the entire plans
and constructive work. directing the
erection and placing of all monu-
ments, statues and tablets. and who
now-as successor to the first Chair
man Ex-confederate 1t. Gen. S. ID.
Lee, deceased. is chairman of the V.
B. National Park Commission and is
full blooded Hawkeye, Capt. VIM.
T. Rigby. Co. B. oath Iowa, who for
his faithful, efficient work deserves
our highest need of honor.
1T was indeed great reunion
and Peace Jubilee, harmonious, or
derby and a complete success: a hap
by event in our Nations history,
which cannot fail to draw more close
ly and firmly together all factions
North, South, East and West into en-
during fellowship and Union as one
Nation under our dear old Flag; not
only to win the War" but world
Liberty and Union of Nations in last
ing Peace
Time and space calls Halt!
Ed. B. Cousins.