The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-02-03

Terms-Ss,oo per vesr iniadsenco. II
az Reading Matter on all Four Pages.
4ed slIl aso "The Reward Of valor."
TO the Editor Of the Press: G1 0 l-Iu .,r. "a 8,
In a recent number of the Press appeared
an article entitled "The Reward of Valor,' in
which You called the attention of those in au-
thority to the propriety of instituting some or
der and badge of honor as the distinguishing
mark of individual service and merit. It seems
to me that the suggestion deserves more than
I passing notice. Hoping to have the plea
sure Of reading arespousive appeal from some
abler pen, have looked and hoped in vain, un-
; til my own feelings prompt a humble effort
ID that direction. 81 slg 3H.g lTll9 81 strr ~
From thoughtful survey of the situation
and the state of public feeling on the subject
think we may anxiously ask Ourselves: Are
we so soon to beat our swords into plowshares
and our nbayonets into pruning-hooks, and
worst, meanest of all, to remember no more
the young heroes who SO bravely in the fierce
and desperate struggle that has just closed,
welded them long and well in our great and
glorious cause? /? ntAre we so soon sunk again
into that death-like stupor which before the
conflict, while our enemies were exerting eve
ry energy and straining every nerve to crush
US forever beneath the huge jugsernaut of
slavery, came near being our final sleep2 ,
Is it true that we have become SO absorbe d
in our gains, or deadto every other motive
but the boarding of filthy lucre that we cannot
stop to take the rugged hand of our returning
braves and ,oish them, at least, one "Happy
New Year" for their noble conduct, away from
the dust and smoke of battle, with kind friends
to love and cheer .them?e Have we forgotten
our own brave boys--our brothers and sons
who went marching sidelby side with these re
turnef companions to the field of carnage, and
howwe followed them with our prayers, all
through the dark days Of the rebellion {? Have
we forgotten those dear boyswho sleep away
God only knows wherein the broad fields Of
the stricken land? Have we forgotten those
sleepless nights of agony that followed the
fight when our dear ones fell in the foremost
ranks, clutching even in death the starry ban
ner, and clinging to their trusty rides when
the noble spirit had fed9 and, ah have we
no, more remembrance 0of their last loving
words, the heart breaking good-byel the dying
message -atea my mother"--you know the
rest-will they ever be- effaced from your heart
1 of hearts? y h945ll5t C-9 es.H = ia9uhG.
- What nation has ever paid so dearly for Its
very existence, and yet, what nation on earth
worthy of the name but pays greater honor te
its brave defendersp If itbe true that Repub-
lies have ever been ungrateful, let US wipe out
i that disgrace, and give honor 70 whom honor
is justly due. Let Us give a charm TO the err-
nown of the hero, which shall offer incentives
tovirtuots and patriotic efforts in the future
and illuminate the pages of our country's his
tory with individual acts the brightest the
world has ever seen. We do not clamor fol
rewards that shall lift men unduly above theil
follows. The character Of our Institutions i:
to crush tyrants, not to sustain and encourage
them. We repeat a suggestion that has beer
made before and it seems should meet the ap
proval of all loyal men throughout the land
Let there be in some form, an earnest Of thu
nations approval bestowed upon the worth!
who brave death and suffering for the nation'
life. Through all time brave men and heroi
deeds have been the theme Of the poet ant
the orator, and the brightest pages Of ancien
or modern history borrow their lustre fromin
dividual feats and accomplishments, and YET
too often, even in our own country, the "pur
est gem" is forever hid, down deep in tn
ocean Of forgetfuhess, so deep that line o
i plummet cannot find it. ~, c,;,--7 -'1q ier
Our brave boys have suffered enough, dar
ed enough, accomplished enough to be enti
tied to the fullest recognition of their services
If the sign of that recognition were some tan
\ gible, external badge understood and honore
of all, it could not fail to be most grateful t
their feelings. Whatever it be, medal, eros
ribbon or other token. let its signifcation b
so plain that all shall delight to honor it, some
thing winch men shall be proud to wear Will
I living, and which in death they shall bequeath
as their richest possession, or carry with theI
to the tomb as a treasure cherished, even
death. How beautifully suggestive, after ~
u present generation shall have passed into for
getfulness, when the exhumed body of som,
soldier shall be exposed to view, would seen
4 such aesimple rernenabrancer stamped witt
the approval Of his country upon his Aduty
donep How like fragrant incense it woult
cling to his name and memory after years o
i forgetfuhesslr We honor with monuments til,
noble dead let us also be true to the nobl,
living who have been true to usoo Men Of phi
lalosophic pretension may sneer at medals ant
badges of honor, as .trinkets," and ''baubles,'
yet the sPearl Of Greatest Price" is the re
ward Of Christian heroism and cannot b,
! bought with gold. Looking above cold con
tempt we may osay with the poet BE 1t .
weakness it deserves some praise" Men de
light to receive the approval Of their fellow
4 men; and there is no stronger protection t.
public safety than is found in the award of tn,
generous need Of honor for the high and he
roic discharge Of public duty. 9a q W. W. 3
l,T- AWhite Mans Government. a 1
That this is an exclusively white mans gov
| mt 10 oc ol - -t.S.