The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-12-02
From the Advertiser and Tribune

Ashes Of Her Heroes?
From the Advertiser and Tribune.
1t will be remembered that come months
since project was started to raise money to
be devoted TO the erection of suitable monu-
ment to perpctuate the menory Of the noble
sons Of Michigan who should fall in the pres
ent struggle for the preservation Of onr Gov.
ernment. Under this plan the subscriptions
were limited to t,0snty five cents, and perhaps
tho failure was due as much to the lack Of con-
fidence that would naturally be felt 10 such a
plan, as to any other cause. Were sabscrp-
tion Of twenty five cents to be obtained Of
every twentieth man in the State--a very lib
eral allowance-it would amount TO about
five thousand dollars, sum which will be
acknowledged inadequate to the erection Of a
monument worthy Of our State. A dollar
subscription might effect tho object, and even
then il might be cxpedient t, accept donations
from some Of our patriotic and noble hearted
citizens, whose names are go familiar to our
war subscription lists. That they would sub.
scribe as cheerfully for this object as for any
othcr purpose whatever, there is no room for
doubt, and to premise the failure OF the enter.
prise, would be casting a stigma upon the
character Of our State. Every consideration
Of justice and patriotism prompts the early
commencement of the good work upon basis
that will insure its completion at q suitable
time. 1t is desired not only 10 do honor to
the noble lives and heroic deaths Of our prom
inent officers, but that tho gallant deeds and
patiert sufferings Of tie lamented dead who
may have worn no insignia Of rank be also
commemorated. To die for ones country is
sufficient patent Of nobility The blood CT the
free-born sons Of Michigan has mostened ev-
cry battle field from the Potomac 10 the Rio
Grande. But yesterday some of them slrug-
Cling for the honors Of Antietam's banks, and
Sharpsburg's terraces, bit the dust, and never
knew how great victory their conntry won
with their blood. Their brethren, while drop
ping b, sympathetic tear over their loss can
not but feel thrill Of pride that God has
raised up such noble yotaries to fight the
battles OF Freedom; that our country has pro.
duced such heroic blood. Nor have there been
wanting noble spirits to divide the bonors with
those to the manor born" In upholtlsng
our glorious flag npon the field of strife,
many warm Irish hear. has grown cold.-
Pilgrims from the "green Isle," that glorious
land Of cbivalry and song, where love of FREQ
dom blooms perennial above the graves of ten
thousand martyrs, have laid their lives as free
offerings upon the holy sltar of Liberty. And
many fair haired Germsn boy has gone forth
and sealed with his blood his devotion to the
bright land of his adoption. Far, far, from
their own lavcd Rhine, they "sleep in death,
and hear of wars no more But nations
gratitude shall consecrate their memory, and
10 their vine clad graves shall the Genius Of
Columbia love to repair, TO weep for their
gallant dead. Hrtrf Eta aoa
Costly piles have been reared by European
dynasties in honor Of those whose deeds have
served to extend the power Of the tyrants, and
even in the dim past they lowered in barbaric
grandeur to commemorate the great achieve
ments inspired by mad ambition and the insa-
late lust Of power. Our heroes have sealed
their faith in striving for the attainment of
ofticr ends, in fighting moro glorious battles,
in winning nobler guerdon. They fell fight.
ing in the holies, cause for which the breast of
humanity was ever barred in all this world,
heir swords flashing in fiery circles, their last
gaze upon the streaming stars and stripes that
glorions flag, which, often bathed in blood,
was never tainted with dishonor; their dying
aspirations for the perpetuity of the priceless
heritage bequeathed by the heroes and mar
Yrs OF The old revolution. So fell RICHARD
SON, and WILLIAMS, aud BRoDHEAD, and ROB-
ERrs, and WOODBURY., and FAIRBANKS, and a
host of Others, equally brave and devoted,
and should that day ever come when Michi-
yan shall cease to vencrate their memories, or
he blood of her children fail to quicken at the
recital of their glorious deeds. then will she
deserve 10 sec her soil imprinted only by the
ooseps OF slaves.
And those 10 whom the coveted death of
he soldier has been denied, but who, in their
service have gasped their lives away
upon the couch of pain, victims to tho deadly
niasma and the lingering fever-their memo.
ries are equally clear, and their fame equally
worthy TO be cherished, For the gallant and
proud spirited soldier to fall by the insiduous
stroke Of dis ase, to know that human valor
IS powerless to ward off the fell stroke Of the
unseen destroyer, this indeed is death, this it
IS to die!
We know not what may be in the future,
but VIC know that our cause is just; our re
lance is in the Lord of Hosts, and though a
world in arms be arrayed against us, we shall
prevail. The purest atmosphere is that which
follows the ficrcest tempest. A fearful ordeal
may yet be in store for our beloved courtry,
ere she has accomplished her destiny. Rever.
'es may come. Storms may shake her inner
temples; whirlwinds may beat her eagles
lown. The worship of stranSe gods may be
around her upturned alta,s, and
by her dishonored symbols; bat, in the glow
ng words of the dying but deathless Brod.
head. H III