Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-05-31
LEGION MEMORIAL DAY

Only q hanQIul OIL peopie dI'eHoeo
the first official memorial exercises FOR
American Legion men held IN the
courthouse in Yorkville yesterday
afternoon, followed by decoration OF
the graves of the three World War
Veterans, Sergeants William GanSon
Williams, j. Bratton Lowry and Prl-
yatk Mech Stewart who lie buried IN
Rose Hill cemetery. -'eople were ap-
parently too busy or at least too un-
concerned to hear Il word SAID for tne
three fellows who gave their all. OF
ficers of local patriotic organizations
who are accustomed to. sp0uting pa
trio'tism and waving the flag on dir-
ferent occasions were not present yes
terday. Only one minister was there.
the SPEAKER of the.occasion. One would
have been led to think that people
generally feel That it isn't worth while
to remember the dead soldiers now
that the war is over. But the three
fellows sleeping in Rose Hill didn't
mind.
With a half hundred people perhaps
in attendance the first American Le-
gion Memorial day was observed mere
Yesterday with an address by Rev. D..
L. Oates, former clerk Of Exemption
Board No. 9 for York county as the
feature Of the occasion. Jas. D. Grlst,
Commander of Mech Stewart Post
presided and in introducing the speak
er. mentioned the fact that similar eX-
ercises were being held by 10000
American Legion posts in 10000 towns
over the country and the world at the
same time. Exercises were opened
with the singing of America" by a
high school chorus with Miss Allen
Hall at the piano.
This day marks mile post in his
tory" said Rev. Oates in beginning his
address ut marks the beginning or
an annual memorial for those young
men who gave their lives for their
country's cause, and feel honored at
having a place in this programme.
There are few here today; but the au-
diences will. grow larger as the years
60 by. 1t is not numbers that count.
We are here as a matter OF principle:
We are here to honor the memory OF
the three local sons who died for their
country. We are here because we be-
lieve that the cause in which they gave
their lives was just cause.
A constant effort to belitt.e America
and.the efforts of Americans in the
World War has been made constantly
since America entered the war. Much
of that effort has been put forth by
men who waXed fat in profteerlng
during that struggle. 1t has ever been
so following all wars and / believe that
there has been an organized eftor1
along this line by the proflteers since
the signing Of the armistice. Then we
have with us those who were for Ger
many instead Of America in that war.
But 1.-The truth will out sooner or
later. The waters are still so muddy
that the truth is not so clearly seen
Ms it will be later, although we Will
finally find that truth.
America fought for right and fought
for home Col. George Harvey was
right when he said that Americans
fought for America; but the colonel
didn't go far enough in the speech ne
made in London the other day. Amer
lea fought for more than America. She
fought for France, for England, for
Belgium. for the world. I have never
been able to fully grasp the meaning
of that phrase ITO make the World
Safe for Democracy" But this know.
Across the seas was a brute that was
threatening the women and children
and the very peace of the world. The
brute needed to be killed and America
did it,
We honor veterans of the World War
today even as we shall honor them
more in the future and as the years go
by honors upon llonors will be paid to
them.
Following Mr.. Oates's address the
exercises in the courthouse were con-
cluded with the singing of the Star
Spangled banner. Veterans and lew
of the audience went to Rose Hill
cemetery where wreaths were placed
upon the graves Of the three deceased
soldiers. Memorial services came to
close when Bugler S. E. Fewell OF ROCK
Hill blew Taps