Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-06-16
Duty to the Living Soldiers.

/ Our exchanges are laden with rich
contributions from some Of the finest
talent III the country, given as trib
/ ute 10 our nation ) dead in the exer.
cises OF Saturday. We are TO know
that the day was universally observ
Ell and that in most instances the
men selected to give shape 10 the
thoughts Of the grateful people were
those who stood BY the side Of those
who fell We select AN extract from
the Grafton Of General IL. l. Bnrnctt,
delivered at Spring Grove Cemetery,
! CINCINNATI. on the occasion Of the
late floral decoration of soldiers
graves, especially commencing The
extract for its thoughtiulness aud
sense OF Justice to the living soldiers.
The object of the decoration OF tho
graves was 10 benefit the living the
pulselcss, silent dead can neither feel
the token, nor thank their friends
torit, hence all we do 10 beautity the
sod under which the dead rest, is. 10
fact, to enlarge and develop sympa-
thy and kindness ia the living. AS
nature springs with renewed life
through the influence of dew drops,
SO the better germs in human nature
swell in the bud, and burst into the
blossom, through the tear of svmpa>
thy. Therefore to make Ms more
mindful OF the living, it is we'll to
drop a tear and a hower over the
graves Of the dead.
In his remarks General Burnett
said
From the graves OF The dead, beau
titully and litly decorated with chap
lets which should Ne untading, it is
orr duty to turn 10 The living aud
ask whetherwo have done our whole
duty to the survivors of those dead
heroes. How many with broken
strength and crippled limbs have lv.
ed to find the charity Of the world
growing cold. How many have re,
turned to see their pla ces IN the
counting rooms and workshops fill
led, and TO learn that the enthusiasm
which hailed them when they went
forth to battle has passed away with
the war clouds. Let us take this oc.
casion to stir up the hearts Of the
people, aid arouse again the enthu
siasm of the soldier. Let us 90
hence, to-day, with the resolution to
organize some efficient and system
attic provision for giving employment
to those who need it, sympathy and
and assistance to those who are still
suffering, words Of good cheer and
hope to those who are humbly but
industriously, working their way
back into the ordinary walks of hn~
man industry. Let it not be record
ed.in heaven against us that we, the
people, strong and prosperous, ia the
days OF cur prosperity and safety are
ungratefnl, and have forgotten those
who in the days of danger and battle,
made Of their breasts q wall OF protec
ton for our lives. our homes and our
country. The thought should be in
all our hearts that we shall most eff,
fectually honor the dead, by giving
help and hearty, brotherly sympathy
to the surviving.
Let us place the garland Of flowers
on the tombs Of the dead, but let us
beware Of concluding that our duty
ends hcre Let us remember as the
years go by and we are passing
away, that
Only tho actions OF the just
Smell sweet ana blossom III the dnst."
After paying this fitting tribute to
the memory Of the dead, let US bear
away in our hearts this scriptural in
junction These things ye ought to
have dene, and not TO leave the oth-
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