Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-06-10

upon this point by reason OF any Al
verse criticism OF untriendly eensufc.
but because it is deemed emiucntlN
proper that our friends, who esteem
loyalty and fidelity, should krow soms
thing OF the true nature OF this organ
ization. AS for others, we do not care
whether they know or not
There is hardly an occasion in human
life that will SO strongly biud IA To-
gather, as ASSOCIATION in scenes of ex
treme danger When grim Dcath
thrusts his ugly form athwart our
pathway, sending the chilled blood
back upon the heart, and looking rs
tiercely in the face, we intuitivev
shrink to our comrades in order to OBJ
tain and render common aid and cour.
age. And when the menacing danger
has been escaped, ourfcllcws in danger
seem to us and we to them, drawn 10.
gether by ties stronger than ordinary
friendship. This is human nature
The citizen soldiers of the Republic.
who, on many well contested heli.
and amid the scenes of blood and ear
mage, have stood shoulder to shoulder,
have rendered to, and received from.
each other, mutual assistance, must
entertain for, each other stronger
sentiments than for any other
class.
The blaze Of musketry andthe groans
of the wounded, the roar of artillery
and the rush of the routed the geam
ing of crossed bayonets and the death
struggle OF the dying, combine To
wind around the hearts of the com
panlons in arms those cords OF sym
pathy AMI love which Tine even can
not part asunler Together we have
marched in heatanddust, together shared
the inclemencies of untriendIy skies,
together battled with disease, together
face the maddenel foe, together
borne share in the danger of the
fight, and together exulted in victory
From these scenes OF trial, privation,
slaughter, and death-carnivals some
armless, legiess, limping, otherwise
mained or SCARED or broker down by
disease, we have come with joyful
hearts to enjoy the blessings OF re-
stored Union. We have returned to
our various homes among those, who,
though warmly friendly, are strangers
to our hallowed memories and who
could family, if at all, understand,
much less appreciate, il we should re-
peat them, the "reminiscences of tho
blvouac or the battle field We have,
therefore, come together by a com
mon accord as wearealready boundbya
common tie, indissoluble while living
and transfgured to aholier one by death.
Surely it is proper to keep alive the
lntlnacles formed on the cannon
swept field, and reinyigarate a loyalty
that has been tired.
Besides, the soldiers have a duty
which they owe to the bereaved ones
who were dependant upon the dead
We make no parade of the charita
bic character OF this organization, but
be assured that those who study its
workings in a teachable spirit, will
learn OF many soldiers widows whose
homes have been made comfortable
through the beueticence of their dead
husbands comrades, and many soldiers
orphans whose education and maintc.
nance are due, in great part, to the aid
rendered by this organization.
He that hath ears to hear let hun
hear"
My friends, the day, long withhold
ing its auspicious omens has at last pro-
nounced its benedictions upon us. The
leaden clouds give place to the azure
blue with its CHEEKY welcome for us in
the performance of the duties the day
imposes. But We need no omens.-
We ask no priest, with divining tripod
to interpret the signs of the clouds. or
of birds. To cheertully obey the be-
hests OF the order 10 approach with
reyerent spirit and uncovered head the
graves OF those whose memories
should be as green III our hearts as the
sod above their remains, AMI to deck
with flowers their last resting place,
are enough. We understand our duty
TO the dead and we have come here
to pretorm that duty 1t should be to
US special privilege |, should be
TO us a work of love. And such, |
doubt not, it is. For YOU are not
| devoid OF human instinct, vou are not
| wanting in the elements OF a common
human nature. The grateful emo.
tions that spring from heart eoncsious
OF benefits received. cannot be re
pressed. With good men and true
they are irrepre>sible. They com
maud, and We obey. Under their Iii
reetion, to day, l sincerely hope that
the strength Of more than parent.
love shall compel to an appropriate
reverence for those we honor Thus
only shall we be satisfied with our
own deeds. Thus only CLEAN up the
scattered ashes in Memory's sacred
urn