Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1918-05-31
RAIN INTERPRETED WITH ME-
MORTAL PROGRAM
TORRANCE GAVE ADDRESS

Memorial Day observance in Little
Falls was very much disturbed by the
continued rain fall throughout the
greater part Of Thursday morning. It
was necessary to do away with the ex-
ercises at the cemetery. Also, no
doubt due to the bad weather, the at
tendance at the exercises at the Vic
tor, was extremely poor. The pro-
gram, however, was good, the address
of Judge Ell Torrance Of Minneapolis,
former commander of the National
Grand Army Of the Republic, being
forcible and able one, commanding the
closest attention.
rance mentioned the fact that it was
the fftieth anniversary of the estab-
lishment Of Memorial Day under the
order Of John A. Logan, then COM
mander-in-chief of the Grand Army Of
the Republic. He said the order was
a classic and was written by Gen. n.
P. Chapman, now justice Of the appel
late court at Sacramento, Calf. The
membership Of the G. A. r. is barely
100000 at this time and it's members
are passing away at the rate of 100
per day. The local Post had a men,
bership of lS7. It has now q, only
10 of whom were able to attend the
ceremonies.
He referred to the short vision Of
the wisest men, noting that Lincoln
called but for $4,000 men for period
Of three months, but before the war
was at an end four years had passed
and 2,250,00c men were called. He
said it was the same with others in
high positions. It was necessary to
wait for developments and then meet
them.
He said that our people did not wish
to 60 into the present war, that it
seemed nothing to us-we we're making
big money as neutrals-but that we
were neutral in act and thought, and
that it was three years before the Am
erican people awoke from their stupor
to realization Of the situation.
The real issue, the speaker stated,
was the survival Of military autocracy
or democracy, and that this world like
Lincoln's comment on slavery, could
not remain half autocratic and half
democratic. They cannot both exist.
Judge Torrance said, that although
it was long road to get here, he be-
lever that the objective Of Germany,
which had been planning for so years,
was to get control Of this country and
make the states provinces over which
would rule Prussian princes.
He reviewed the different steps in
the war, and with vigcr attacked the
methods of Germany, not only in be-
ing the cause Of the war, but in its
methods Of warfare.
Under-the-bed patriots opposed to
fighting any country except their OWL
was a phrase by the judge Any man
who wouldn It stand up 2.or his coun
try in this crisis was beneath contempt
and in such a case he should find
country for which he could do some
thing.
Mayor Bergheim presided and
thanked those who had contributed in
various ways to the exercises, saying
there was no charge for anything.
The invocation and benediction was
given by Rev. E. B. Service.
I. J. Bates, commander Of the local
Post, gave short and appropriate
address of welcome and the Gettysburg
Address was given by J. G. Burial.
The city band, high school orches-
ira, Miss Elaine Ruth and a quartet
composed Of Margie Nelson, director;
Margaret Jones, Phyllis May, Helen
Smith, E. s. Brown, w. L. Dunphy, J.
G. Patience and 81. o. Fl. Munson, and
a chorus Of forty school children rem.
dered the musical part Of the pro-
gram.
The speakers committee, which had
charge of the affair, was composed Of
Mayor Bergheim, G. Rosenmeier and
L w. Vasaly.