The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1920-11-11
MADISON OBSERVES
ARM|sT|CE DAY
SINESS SUSPENDS AND
SCHOOLS CLOSE HONORING A
MEMORABLE EVENT.

Iouay Madison wore very much
the appearance of Goldsmith's DE
serted Village" insofar as any real
business activity is concerned. The
day was quietly spent except the
large attendance at the public exer-
cises held in the high school auditor
ium under the auspices of Eugene
McKibbin Post No. 25 of the Amer
lean Legion whose members to the
number of about fifty assembled for
due observance of a day and that
bids fair to become important part of
world history annals.
In spite of chilly air and frequent
spurts of snow the program this
morning was fully carried out with
one or two exceptions, namely the
absence of L. G.. Atherton who was
scheduled for an address and the
abandonment of all out of door exer-
cises.
The high school auditorium was
well filled with an attentive audi
ence who were favored by several
orchestra selections and also num-
bers by double quartet.
After the invocation by Rev. Paul
S. Johnson, pastor of the Presbyter-
ian church and local Post Chaplain
the audience sang America" rener-
entially and then settled back to en-
joy three excellent addresse delivered
by Post Commander Carl E. Porter,
Attorney H. H. Holdridge and Rev.
Paul s. Johnson. The latter spoke
for L. G.. Atherton who was unable
to be present. Commandant Porter
gave an outline of The Relation of
the Community to the Local Post. !"
He gave the purpose of the Post or
ganization, touching on American
ism and its ideals in fostering better
citizenship. The speaker also ex-
planned how a sympathetic and un-
derstanding public could assist in
both financial and moral support of
the Legion that rallies only for per-
tetuation of memories sacred TO
those who made necessary sacrifices
to safeguard the very foundations of
liberty.
Chairman George F. Farmer next
introduced Mr., Holdridge who spoke
of our obligations to the boys-an
obligation that can only be paid in
terms of gratitude. He spoke of the
soldiers with broken bodies and of
those who dropped by the way in
Flanders Field and emphasized the
reverence due their memory. Mr..
Holdridge characterized us as a
graceful nation, ready to assist in re-
storing the injured men to health and
strength. A plea was made for the
Red Cross whose volunteers canteen-
ed the American forces and stood the
brunt of hardship with those, who
saved Europe that we might save
America and its ideals to them. The
vik thought and tendencies is now
before US and if we come through
the crisis it will be only by centering
on full blooded Americanism. The
speaker recognized the uniform as a
symbol of loyalty to country. He
said that the war clouds are dispell-
ed and that we should reserve our
"honor for the living and respect for
the dead" No epic poem of the future
can overestimate the valor of our
boys in this decade.
The subject why An Armistice
Day was clearly set forth by Rev.
Paul 8. Johnson who stated that the
purpose of the legion was to review
some of the lessons learned during
the war, that is, the outstanding
things. He paid high tribute to the
sort of man the American soldier is.
His type is that of the good natured
chum who is clean physically and
fitted to endure hardship and con-
duct his part in warfare with busi-
ness like dispatch. He is wonderfully
athletic due to his special training in
college and in games. He is noted
for his celebrity of action. An Amer
ican soldier always stands ready to
perform more than given quota of
work. His spirit bears the enthusi-
asm of the slogan Lets Co."
The French people realized that
the American field forces were the
saviors of the world and of France.
Our brave sons still need the SYM
| pathy and kindness of all friends and
relatives. These and other pertinent
points were touched upon in Rev
Johnson's friendly talk to his com
rades who sat impressed under his
| flow of kindly address.