The Evansville journal., 1868-06-01

Ing pillow OF CLOSE L06lE QyIQR eyes,
not from your homes where they
could receive the kindly attention of
friends, but from the various battle
fields of the country, from the can
non shot and the sabre stroke. Others
came from the hospitals North and
South, to sleep in your graveyard
But who were they who ELL these
graves we come to day to decorate?
What sort of men were they? Some
were husbands, some were fathers.
some were sons and brothers. Most of
them were strong young men. All
were brave hearted men, men of iron
fortitude; young men, stalwart, active,
full of hope and energy They knew
no fear They dared to face an enemy.
They did not quail before the roar of
cannon, or the rattle of musketry.
They were full of fortitude to endure
the toll and perils Of the march. But
they we're men who loved their
homes, and as they left, the word
good-by" quivered on their lip and the
tear started to their eye. They loved
their homes, their wives, parents,
sisters and brothers They were men
OF industry, enterprise aud intelli-
genee; not the " rif-raf or the
scum Of society" but the honest
intelligent working men, merchants,
farmers and mechanics. Above all
they loved their country. The coun-
try called-it was in danger-the call
was heard. and these men ran to your
defense. They crossed your borders.
They met the enemy. They exposed
their lives TO give your citizens OF
Evansville defense.
The whole country was IN danger,
and these men sprang to Its defence to
protect our form of government, and
to show that Republic could live.
They rushed forth TO answer the qpes-
ton that the moDarchies Of .ae Old
World had rung IN our e1s from
across the seas for almost gry-
Can a Republic live2 Ca4 Repub-
Mic be strong2 These me- 1T in the
midst of the enewy proclaimed
thai ehe Republic e4l I've aud be
strong.
There lies not here among these
sleeping braves single inidel to the
faith OF the Republic. Here, N mem
ory of such men, we are to day doing
acts of exquisite beauty. Other sleep
ing places are garnished by the loving
hands of friends; all over this coun-
try the graves of the dead are being
decorated to-day Friends beautify the
graves of their dead. We come TO do
the loving part that brothers and sis
ters do to their dead. We come with
hearts big with gratitude to honor the
graves Of our heroes. They are the
property of the nation. They are our
dead.
We bring flowers to strew the bier,
For flowers are loves truest Ian suage."
Aud, I remember that to-day, the
whole land is awake in its gratitude
to the bravest soldiery the world. ever
saw. Maine beauties her soldiers
graves to-day, and far off California.
and the vast interior States of this
mighty republic, honor their soldiers
graves. Bands of loving. grateful
friends, everywhere strew flowers to-
day. Bereaved hearts come to-day
on this sacred mission The weeping
widow. the bereaved mother, the
doting father, loving and lonely
brothers and sisters and orphan chill
dren, and a grateful people come with
them, with sad hearts, but proud of
our gallant dead. Millions this
hour are standing over their buried
legions under the flag that they fought
to defend. and as they look up to that
flag, every heart is swearing as hearts
never swCre before, the Republic
shall abide. By all that is lovely, by
all that is true, by all that Is good,
they swear the Republic shall live.
The address, Of which we give but
an imperfect outline, was listened to
with wrapped attention aud deep
emotion.
Rev. Mr.. Runek followed, speaking
in German, and, of course, we are
unable to give even a sketch of his
sentiments or words. He spoke fer
yently and eloquently, and the many
Germans present listened with pro-
found attention.
Captain Hargrave then spoke
briefly, but feelingly. He urged that
before another year a shrub or plant
should be planted on every soldiers
grave, to bloom perennially.
At the close of Capt. HaTgraves'
speech, D. D. Doughty recited the
following beautiful
BY COLLINS.
4 How sleep the brave, who sink to rest,
By all their cOuDtry's wishes bleStt
When Spring, sefth dew- ungers cold,
Returns 70 deck their haiioz,d rnoutd,