Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1922-11-10
"Our Illustrious Dead" Being an Ad-
dress Delivered by Sen. Jno. D. Tay-
lor at Charlton County Homecoming,
Oct. IL, '19. Tomorrow is the third
Armistice Day Anniversary, Nov. II

with them from time to time; we
Thought of them only as we thought
of the hundreds of other young men,
their comrades and associates; we
recognized their sterling qualities; we
looked not for the usual and ordinary
fralties and weaknesses that all
young men possess; we attributed to
them no especial qualifications; and
prior to the dark and fearful days
that begun in the early part of 1917
we little realized the debt Of graft.
tude to these and hundreds of other
young men Of this country that would,
but in a short time, rest upon US for
the remainder of our years.
When the burden Of German op-
preston had become wholly intolera-
bic and our trusted Representatives in
Washington realized that free and
independent people could no longer
tolerate the outrages against Chris
tianity and civilization that were be-
ing perpetrated wherever German
forces could reach, and when we, as q
people, realized that the civilization
of centuries was tottering and about
10 fall, it became necessary to look
pver this great country of our and Sc
lect from our hundred millions of peo-
pie a stalwart, staunch and hardy
host Of modern crusaders to go out
and right the wrongs of .an outraged
world, and when the call came and the
selection Of the fittest had bean made
more than 200 Of Charlton County's
stalwart sons were marching beneath
the folds of the Stars and Stripes of
fering to make the supreme sacrifice,
unhesitatingly and unsetlfishly for tia
perpeLualivn or the ideals OF mankind.
Most of these, we may thank God,
have come back to US sturdy and
strong, to join again in the ranks of
citizenship in the pursuit of peaceful
projects, but 80 of all Of these were
called upon to make the last great
sacrifice--to lay down their lives in
the early dawn of manhood that we
might live on under conditions and
surroundings sacred and dear to the
heart of every liberty loving Ameri-
can. citizen. Some sleep in the bosom
Of their native land, some rest in for
eign soil, santified to US because il
has been baptized in the blood Of
Charlton County's illustrious sons.
II need speak no word Of praise ot
their conduct, their own individual ac-
tions sing higher praise for theil
memory than is possible for any man
to speak We gather here today in
some small way to show our heartfelt
appreciation and gratitude for those
who were called and came back-<
dedicate to these 50 a tablet in bronze
to remind us from day to day of oul
SACRED obligation to those who quietly
sleep together in the glorious bivou
&C Of the dead.
at is . great thing for these hun
dreds Of young men from our countr,
to treasure IN their hearts the recol
lection that they were selected for tn.
great sacrifice. to know the apprecia
ton Of their fellowmen Of their un
hesitating responce to. the call O
glory, it is q great thing to know tha'
they have come. back and are to hay'
the opportunity of living for th'
ideals for which they and their com
rades fought
@But these illustrious dead Of ours
"Ahi Theirs was . nobler part,
They died with q glory. Of faith u
their eyes
And the glory Of love in their hearts
! @Their lives are spent, they hav'
gone on into that dim uncertain spac'
there to await the final call. II thi
life BE- the end then they have earne'
j the pelcefnl sleep Of eternity; Il the!
shah Sc called before some great I'll
brnal 70 answer in spirit for the deed
done here in flesh their sufficien
snswcT viii be:
/ II gave my life for nay fellcwmen.