The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1919-06-05
LIBERAL GIVES TRIBUTE
TO THE SOLDIER DEAD
The City Practically Desterted by Its
Inhabitants Who Attended the
rA Exercises,

she has in the enterprises that tend
to her growth and development was
demonstrated last Friday-Memorial
Day. 1t was one of those days that
have made Western Kansas famous
when the wind and dust were
much in evidence, and those unfa-
miliar with the western spirit would
have thought it splendid excuse to
stay at home. But not so with the
Liberalites-they were out and doing
1eir part with enthusism. Hundreds
or automobiles gathered at the court
house at $3.50 in the morning, and
by 1890 they had practically formed
a Gordon to the cemetery, two and
one-half miles northwest of the city.
The weather made it practically
impossible to hold the procession in
order, hundreds of the cars leaving
the column and making the journey
IN the most convenient manner, but
notwithstanding this the program
was carried out almost to the letter,
with the band, the Federal and Con-
federate veterans of the Civil War,
veterans Of the Spanish-American
war, veterans of the Great War, COM
pany E of the National Guard, over
one hundred strong, and a goodly
number of cars containing citizens
remaining in the line.
The invocation by Chaplin V. H.
Grinstead, and the placing of the
flowers and wreaths upon the graves
of the veterans surrounding the SOL
dier monument by the bevy of little
girls dressed in white, and under the
direction of Mrs. Scandrett, was in
terspersed by patriotic selections by
the Liberal Band.
The address of the occasion was
made by Captain j. B. Fulton of
Kiowa, Kansas. To say that this ad
dkess pleased the people would hard
lyIdo it justice. 1t was logical and
inspirational, and more than filled
the expectations of the many Lib
eral people who had grown to love
his brother, Ernest, who had been a
teacher and Scoutmaster in the
public schools here. Captain Full
ton wore his uniform, and his sterl-
ing personality gave force and con-
viction to his expression.
At 2:30 in the afternoon special
memorial services were held in the
Christian church, and it was crowd
ed. After invocation by the chaplin,
and selections by the male quartet,
Mrs. Smallwood gave most pleas
ing reading of Memorial Day." an
appropriate and touching story re-
1sting the loyalty of lovers Of their
country and each other.
The address Of the afternoon was
made by Hon. Henry Mason Of To-
peka, one Of the justices Of the Kan
sas Supreme Court, and dean of the
law faculty of Washburn University.
Judge Mason's address was most un-
usual. He departed from the popu-
lar appeals to pride and explained
how each of the wars in which our
Anation had become involved were in
n,e cause of liberty for our own or
other peoples. That in each instance
it was essential to use physical might |
to overcome the traducers of right. |
That in some instances the last
courts of resort had rendered de-
cisions contrary to the spirit of lib
erty cherished by the people, and
where laws and courts had been in
conflict with the principle of liberty,
might had been invoked to secure
the right. That in such cases, there
had been many who had urged the
reliance on courts, but that where |
courts were in error, as they had
been at times, the character of our
institutions could only be maintained
by a nation that would fight for the
right. He expressed the belief that
a league of nations would be a great
step toward the ending of wars, and
closed with beautiful tribute to
those who had served in our battles !
for the cause of liberty.
The editor wants to compliment
the following committees on their
preparations for the day-one of the
most successful Memorial programs
he ever witnessed:
Officers of the Day-H. Hobble,
V. H. Grinstead, chaplain; Chas.
Summers, host to the speakers.
Committee on Parade-Lee Lar
Abee, H. W. Lane, C. E. Doll and s.
Miller.
On Church Decoration-All men,
bers of the G. A. R.
On Program-T. B. Moore, Mrs.
H.. Hobble and Mrs. D. c. Wood.