Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-01-04

which Qarkone0 GU lana Tor 80 many
years will long-bo remembered.0u
pendon roll Of 80, 900, 900 PERI fear for
disabled heroes and soldiers and sail-
ors' sgidoWs keepsit wildly u mind.
Our national 4syllms, who's doors,
Island open to welcome thousands 70 a
tpernanent refuge from the adversites
Of life, are amongst its memsntoes.
| Our national cemeteries, crowded
gravsyards,. and the weary crutch and
the emptylsleeye, all remind usiof that
saddsning struggle; but nearest of all
to our hearts tonight, because most
thelplsss independent, are the orphans
of the war. We are proud Of our
country, and prouder Of our title OF
American citizens. We deem sit an
insstimabIe privilege to live In this
Heaven-fayored land, but the fathers
of these orphans, who sleep the sleep
that knows no waking till the resur-
rection morn. not only lived for this
country, but they died for It,. They
were our brothers, our friends, our
neighbors. In the days when peace
reigned we met them In our streets, In
stores and workshops, on their farms
and In the forests, but the hour Of ma
tional peril came, and these quiet,
peace-loving citizens were transformed
Into heroes. They rose from the sphere
of the citizen to the plane Of the
patriot, and armed with the courage
OF the warrior. But they were not
only patriotic and brave and daring.
They were martyrs also. The martyrs
of religion gave their lives for . prin-
ciple; these martyrs of patriotism
gave their lives for All idea. 1t was
the grand idea of American national
ity that inspired them to the sacrifice,
and transformed them from peaceful
citizens into patriotic heroes. IL was
to save that dear old flag from dlshonor
and the nation they loved nom destruc-
ton, that they gave their lives. Many
lived to see the victory won for which
they had perilled 50 much, but many
Of them passed away before the hour
Of triumph; In the darkness Of the
night, before the bright rays of the
morning OF national salvation. Some
sleep tonight near the friends they
loved while living, but many returned
not, living nor dead-lying tonight In
distant cemeteries, or, sadder than all,
have over them the tombstone marked
Unknown" We cannot add to the
glory or historic renown Of those
whose deaths saved for Us our country,
but we eau most fifty honor those who
gave up home and happiness and life
for us by caring tenderlyand Affection
ately for those they left behind them.
Many of you have comfortable and
even palatlal mansions. These chill
dren, orphaned by war, have no where
to lay their heads except the home
which b%eneyolence has given them.
Many Of you are blessed In basket and
In store. They have no professions
they oan call their own. Many Of you
enjoy the delightful companlonshlp Of
home, where that happy trinity Of
father, mother and children, fill 1t with
Joy from hearthstone to roof, but that
Is denied to those whose fathers sacri-
feed 50 much for you. and mo. I re-
joice, therefore, that tho Grand Army
Of the Republic has opened this door
Of opportunity for your benefaetions.
| rejoice that our National Band,
whose melodies are 80 often heard at
the Executive Mansion, and the sweet
singers, not Of Israel, but Of Washing
ton, have lent their aid to this demon
stration. l rejoice that you have come
here from your holiday joys to make a
happy day for those whose fathers
were, but are not. You will be repaid
BY that inner joy which God always
gives to those who make Others hap
pier. If you needed more, remember
that strlking epitome of the meek st.
James, when he gave as his first defini-
ton, of a religion pure and u%ndeiled,
"to visit the widow and the fatherless
In their aihiction," and remember also
that striking prediction Of the last day,
which fell from the lips Of Christ when
he asked, not In regard to creed or
sect, but whether they had fed the hum
cry and clothed the naked, and cared
Tor the friendless, and declared. that
those who had thus ministered to the
children of misfortune had ministered
unto him. welcome you in the labor
Of love IN which you have shown your
interest; for by this work you can
gain q treasure. that moth and rust
cannot corrupt, an investment whose
dividends are beyond speradventurc.
A happy, Joyous welcome to you, one
and all. -rrg 7,rrrsrsa fna rar