Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1918-06-06
VETERANS HONORED
ON MEMORIAL DAY
'ublic Services Held at Town
Hall Attract Large
Audience

Nm spite of the threatening wea-
Their last Thursday, the town hall
was crowded to witness the program
arranged in honor of the veterans of
he Civil War. After decorating the
graves in the several cemeteries,
dinner was served by the people of
East Canaan and in the afternoon
public services were held at the town
hall. The hall was well filled with
people from this community, even
though many attended the exercises
held at Lakeville in honor of the
dedication of the flagpole which was
presented to the town by c. H.
IBissell.
The first three numbers were by
the pupils from grades and 5, as
follows: A Civil Greed, by the
school; Song: Tramp, Tramp, Tramp,
| he boys are marching, also by the
chool and a recitation, Old Glory by
ennie Higgins. The entire audience
hen joined in singing the "Star
Spangled Banner" followed with
prayer by Rev. A. H. Nesbitt and
general orders by w. R. Weddle,
commander of David S. Cowles Post,
G. A. R. Miss Scott SANG "God be
with our boys tonight" in a very
touching manner, followed by Rev.
r. M. Undertake, who delivered a
cry stirring address.
After a salutation to the Civil War
Veterans present, and a reference to
the previous fitting exercises of the
day. Mr.. Undertake assured the
veterans that the audience had gath
cred to honor them and their COM
rades who had fought in the Civil
War even though this Memorial Day
we are glad to pay our respects to
the present day patriots who have
already fallen in devotion to the
Right. He said that we could this
year do homage to their sacrifices
and sing of their valos with better
understanding of their spirit, their
courage, their privations, hardships
and endurance because of our knowl-
adge of the present carnage in
France. Perhaps we can find as
truer expression of our appreciation
of the deeds of the soldiers of the
former war than in a reference to
our Inheritance from the past that
fits US, inspires us and prepares us
for the present struggle.
In the first place we devine from
the action of these men whom we
honor today, sanction for the TAX
ing of arms, when diplomacy and
craftsmanship fail, to defend estab-
lished law, moral institutions, the
weak and oppressed, and freedom
for mankind. Even the British Pre-
mier has found in the words and
thoughts of Lincoln a sanction for
his statement of the Allies war aims.
From the outcome of the devotions
of the soldiers who responded to
Lincoln's call we have learned that
ideals are worth fighting for. The
ideals of the Emancipationists, ex-
pressed in thhe Battle Hymn of the
Republic, were thought by many to
be visionary and impossible. But
the vision which saw a righteous ma
ton to be, and the faith which
fought to make that vision tone, sue
'ceeded in bringing to pass that which
seemed the impossible. Today we
have courage to fight for a world
freedom. The Battle Hymn of the
Republic is looked upon as an Inter
national, Universal Hymn, and the
soldiers of many nations dare to go
forth to "die to make men Free.
Memorial Day celebration not the
strategy of generals but the devotion
and courage of the soldier. The
sacrifices of the citizen soldiery and
the people won the Civil War. A ma
ton is only strong as it's people have
vision and courage. The world now
be saved by democracy's armies, and
by the sacrifices and valor of the
people. The thrift, the gifts, the
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