The Delta independent., 1921-10-14
GOVERNOR URGES REVERENCE
IN ARMISTICE OBSERVANCE

! A call to the people of Colorado to
observe Armistice Day, November II,
| flags at half-mast and close all
/ schools, public buildings and business
| houses is contained in proclamation
| issued by Governor Shoup. The
proclamation address "To the People
of Colorado" follows:
"Three years ago-on November IL,
191S-America honorably and patrioti-
cally concluded her military and naval
part of great war in which she had
valorously and righteously enlisted.
Courageously, albeit at a terrible price
in dead and manned, this nation
brought to victorious end a san
culinary struggle that was forced upon
reluctant countries by strife-lords who
attempted to make whastly warfare
the daily business of the world.
"Three years ago, and rightly, too,
Armistice Day was celebrated by the
blare of whistles and horns, the
cheers of relieved people. carnivals.
in the street. impromptu parades, ap-
plause, every expression of a sudden
joy too long withheld. In the elapsed
time since that glad hour we have
come to look upon Armistice Day from
another and broader side. The pass
ing months have somewhat softened
the older hatreds; we ponder more
and more on those who gave life,
limb. health, the best of their man
hood to their country in its need; we
feel sort of sadness for a mistaken,
misguided and sorely beaten foe.
Thus we approach Armistice Day.
1921. with a determination fittingly to
observe the occasion in a three-fold
manner-with the same rejoicing for
a victorious America, but with rever-
ence and homage for the flower of
our youth which died or withered and
with prayers from an uplifted spirit
as we turn toward what can be war
less future
ITO convene on this Armistice Day,
our president has called conference
of nations looking to a disarmament
which may recast the death-gun into
the plowshare and transform the bat
tleship and warpIane into the peace
full carriers of commerce. It is not
too much to hope for, to pray for.
And the day holds another tremendous
event America will bury, with every
honor, the body of one of her
soldiers, taken from the poppy
clothed but shell-riddIed fields of
France. This unknown soldier, be he
high officer or plain private. VIII be
symbolic of the thousands who per-
ished in that gigantic holocaust. In
our last tribute to this nameless man
who will lie in the honored grave at
Arlington we will be but proving our
love for and our indebtedness to those
who died or were wounded over there,
as we'll as to those who came braveiy
back.
"It is with these thoughts that, as
Governor, l respectfully address the
people of this great Colorado, asking
you, one and all, to observe Friday,
II, 1921, as Armistice Day;
knowing that you will do so in
proper spirit OF gladness for the suc-
cess of our arms, but with sorrow and
prayer for the dead and bereaved, and
1eart-sent gratitude to the living. Alf
iags should be flown at half-mast, and
most earnestly urge that every bust
ness house, school or public building
close its doors and all labor be sus-
pended for the entire day, SO that
each man and woman and child be
accorded full opportunity to particf-
pate in the days program. 1t indeed
would be fitting if all business build
ngs and residences should be suit
ably draped in commemoration OF the
lay. Also further urge tlrat on Sun
day, November 6, the prayers of the
state go up from church and home
asking that the presidents conference
for disarmament shall bring fulfill
ment of the. divine hope that the
Armistice of 1918 concluded a war
which should put an end to all war.
OLIVER H. SHOUP, Governor.