The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-05-30
JUDGE BIRDZELL SPEAKS

VVASSo VNS SVHASS VI wy u
Exercises Held at the
Auditorium
Bismarck paused today in honor o
the nations hero dead. The memoria
tribute began during the morning
with the decoration of the graves o
the soldier dead in the two cemeterie;
and the scattering of flowers on thu
river in honor of the sailor dead.
Committees of the American Legion
American Legion Auxiliary, War Moth
ers and w. R. c. left the American
Legion hall at 8 o'clock for the GENE
teries, where they placed the flowers
on all of the graves of men who had
been in the service Of the country dur
ing period of armed conflict.
The flag in the Northern Pacific
park was at half-mast, as were other
flags during the morning. Many bus
mess houses and homes displayed the
national colors during the day.
Many in Parade.
This afternoon parade and exer-
cises at the Auditorium marked the
soldier tribute. The parade moved
promptly at 2 o'clock with Capt. H.
T. Murphy in charge. 1t was led by
the Elks band. In line were 200 Am
erican Legion men, veterans of the
Spanish-American War, veterans OF
the Civil War in automobiles, war
nurses, members of civil and patriotic
societies. The Salvation Army band
headed the second section of the par
ade, which included pupils from the
Indian school.
The Legion colors were born at the
head of the column. The Legion firing
squad was the color guard. The squad
also went to the cemeteries this morn
ing when volleys were fired in honor
of the soldier dead.
The exercises at the auditorium
opened with Walter E. Sather, Legion
commander, presiding. Rev. Thomas
Dewhurst pronounced invocation. Mr..
Sather introduced Justice Luther E.
Birdzell, chief justice of the supreme
court, who made the address. The
second part of the exercises was the
patriotic pageant. In the pageant were
Mrs. Obert A. Olson, representing the
nation; Miss Mabel Campbell, repre-
senting North Dakota; Miss Lavernc
|Hollensworth representing England,
Miss Mary Parsons representing
France, Miss Esther Taylor as Herald
and H. F. O'Hare representing the
Spirit of the Soldier Dead, with many
girls representing various states and
veterans of three wars.
Desire to Pay Tribute.
''This is day set apart to honor
those who have been soldiers of the
republic" said Judge Birdzell. Il
doubt that we would thus set aside
day for such ceremony II it were
not thought that we would confer
benefit upon the country and our
selves byt turning aside from the
things that distract us to reverentiy
mediate upon the patriotic themes
that readily suggest themselves in
such presence and upon such an
occasion.
"The fact that we are here In such
numbers implies that we are in ac'
cord with the spirit of the occasion
and ha TIVE esire to pay our tribute
of profound respect to those who
gave or pledged their lives that our
country might live. II am able in
the short while allotted to my re-
marks to express some OF the
thoughts that believe to be upper
most in your minds, / shall feel CRATE
full for the opportunity so generously
accorded. oattt ;,
. '''In the midst OF world in turmoil,
afflicted with maladjus tments OF var
ious sorts, due largely to the recent
conflict and to the raging fires OF bat
tie, the embers of which are still
smoldering, we find ourselves COM
panraat iVely happy enthusiastically con-
tented. THIS is So tecause, as we
view in retrospect the large events OF
recent world history, we are filled
with gratitude that God has given 1t
to us to see SO complete and grand
yindication of the principles upon
which our government is founded.
Spirit Of Gratitude Voiced
"In this spirit of gratitude, then, we
come to lay upon the graves OF our
soldier dead the floral wreath that be-
speaks neyer.dying patriotism. For
such ceremony can signify nothing
less than this. It is too sacred
thing to be done without thought OF
its full significance. If | understand
the hearts of those who observe this
day they vow by their acts that their
soldier dead shall not have died in
vain, and that their heritage OF pa
triotism shall rest in worthy hands
to be passed on to deserving pos
terity.
CONTINUED on Page g.
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