Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1922-06-23

mountain peaks, in a fertile vale,
glowing with wealth and health
lies Monte Vista and here you are
to meet in orderly form to hold
another Department Convention
Monte Vista's lovely little valley
welcomes you proudly and heartily
and In sincere love and trust gives
to you the key of her magic little
town.
Right royalty she bids you enter
and take possession. We, the de-
scendants of the living and dead
G. A. R.'s-We the daughters and
granddaughter, welcome you, and
bid you be OF good cheer. Every
thing will be done for your comfor,
that We can do; We are proud OF
you-proud Of what you have done
and Of what you represent. Welcome
thrice welcome to Monte Vista.
Monte Vista is not much for size.
but for peas. pigs, and prosperity
Il will never find its equal. Mount
Blanca raises her lofty head on the
east. while ON the other side Old
Greenie raises her stately head and
seems to say "Oh. ye who are not
harmonious. stay out" Here gentle
cows are cared for and respond in
milk and butter, thus making this
valley rich in dairy products. Edu-
cation il one Of the chief features !:
located at Center is the largest
consolidated school in the United
States.
Here, In all its grandeur and
beauty. In this most fertile valley
are to be found q class Of people
who are devoted to Home. Church.
and Welfare Work Of all kinds
always pleasant. courteous and kind
thus the three P's-Peace. Pros
perity. and Plenty.
Here In Monte Vista, located in
the San Luis Valley, is the home
OF some Of the survivors OF the
most cruel-most heart-breaking
war that History has ever recorded.
1t IL true that Washington fought
and suffered for Liberty. But was
his idea OF Liberty the kind that you
fought for! You are growing old:
your hair Is gray: your eyes are
dim-yOu walk with = cane, and
some of your comrades are answer.
ing the Roll Call on High. But in
the days OF '6l your minds were
clear. and your steps were quick to
go: you marched down the streets
to the music Of \ fife. and your
Country's Emblem. your beloved
Stars and Stripes. went before you.
More than sixty years have gone
by since the year Of '6l-years that
have made great changes both In
government and finsne-You
Grand Old Men-picture to. your
selves some Of the changes. Sixty
odd years past you stood on blood
dyed battlefield At Manassas and
fought loyalty and on the peninsula.
where months Of desperate fighting
without food and clothing reduced
your number greatly. In September
when the leaves turn golden and
brown. when lads and lsssies'
hearts should merry. you were
fighting on the banks Of Antietam.
where twelve thousand boys IN blue
gave up their lives for that noble
standard.
In December. Christ was born and
all hearts should have been turned
70 the anniversary Of His birth
b1t not 20 wsrs the people Of 81.
The whole nation WAS thinking OF
that battlefield st fredericksburg.
whers you fousht-loyal 70 your
hearts core and where American
valor reached It, supreme exalta-
tioa, and thousands fell In the as-|
oault.
Sixteen thousand boys fell IL that
wasted opportunity at Chaaesllors-
Vile. Al Gettysburg the battl>
ragged for three long days. and shot
and shell filled the air. mingled
with srosns Of dying and wounded.
That battle was the most important
one which was fought-and won.
The tide Of audacious rebellion WAS
turned back. and the price paid was
five thousand Union dead and
twelve thousand wounded. When
Lincoln. with = halo Of glory around
his head. gave that soul-stirring ad.
dress which lived and will live on
through the ages OF time like the
stars on high. and which has helped
10 make bis name immortal. whom
that battlefield Of Gettysburg was
eoasscrated for the unknown dead.
Over II Frsncs 10 . battlefield OF
Gettysburg: Il 10 called "Flaadsrs|
Field" aad 10 covered with fiaa6sss
Pop0iss. Tosty.fivs thousand 0sa
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