Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-05-27
OUR NATIONS SABBATH.
We Sould Observe 1t With Faithfulness
and Pride. -This We Owe Not Only TO
the Soldier Dead, But to Ourselves.

| Extracts from remarks by Hosea w. Rood
Patriotic Instructor G., A. RI
! Though we may do our best we can
not fully understand how much we of
today owe to those who have done their
work, and gone on before. Nearly
every good thing we enjoy is what they
have bequeathed us 1t is well TO stop
and consider how much more we have
today for our comfort and convenience
than our pioneer fathers and mothers
knew anything about. How much
greater our social and educational ad-
vantages are thar theirs were. We are
apt to forget that all these good things
have come to us because of their heroic
toll and struggle their faith and hope
and patriotism-we are apt to forget
all these. 1t is not good in US thus to
be forgetful. 1t is better that we
cherish tenderly and gratefully their
memory for what they did for us be-
fore they fell asleep. We may well
express our gratitude in the care we
bestow upon the sacred ground where
their once active bodies are now at
rest. They may or may not know our
care for their sleeping places, yet it is
to onr credit to make these places as
beautiful as we can.
1t is said that the appearance of the
place where the dead are laid to rest is
pretty sure index to the character of
the living. When we see Gods acre
made into beauty spot -prettier than
any other in the community may
be sure that they who live there are
good people; not coarse. unfeeling, I'M
grateful. but moved by the finer feel
ings and tender emotions. They CRATE
fully remember what was loveable and
patriotic in the character of those who
once lived and moved among them, and
the good they did.
We are not at all likely to over
estimate the heroic self-sacrifice of the
boys and young men who in the battle
front, the hospital or the prison pen
gave. their lives in the Civil War for
our fig and the Union. Had it not
been .sar their heroism even unto death
in bel.alf of our Nation, it would have
been impossible for US to help win the
great World War for democracy against
absolute autocracy and had it not been
for our help this fearful struggle for
civic righteousness would not have been
won. We do not like to think what
would be the result had autocracy tri-
umphed. Our victory in the Civil War
was not completed until more than fifty
years after, when for that completion
the grandsons of the Blue and the Gray
fought side by side. In order fully to
understand our debt to the three hun
dred fifty-nine thousand, five hundred
and twenty EIGHT boys and young men
who gave their lives for the life of our
Nation, we need a large mental vision.
We may say, think, that the yearly
observance Of Memorial Day has had
more to do than anything else in lead
ing people to care for their cemeteries.
Local observance of the occasion this
year will consist of a sermon on Sunday
morning at the M. E. church by Rev.
John Birrell. All grateful and patriotic
citizens should join with the war veter-
ans and Relief Corps in participation of
this holy memorial service.
On Monday program similar to that
for Memorial Day of recent years will
be carried out. Grafton by Hon II. N.
Latin of Milwaukee.