The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-30
Decoration Day.

who died for the Union cause. Those
whose life went out amid the smoke and
noise of battle will hear above their silent
graves the measured tread of the comrades
who survived them. The cause for which they
fought has triumphed, and though too many
of those who enjoy the peace and prosperity
purchased by the soldiers blood forget their
services, and would leave their memory to
oblivion, the great heart of the nation will be
ever moved by the remembrance of their
heroism. 1t is true that their memory cannot
die, for future ages will point with pride to
battlefields where the equality of man was
indicated.
The war for the Union was something more
than sectional struggle for supremacy. Had
no other question been involved than whether
the North should rule the South or the South
the North there would be little reason to pre-
serve the records of such an unhallowed con-
test but it was not so. Throughout the civil
lied world the peoples stood ranged under the
different banners, and watched with an eager
ness and anxiety as intense as was felt in
America the progress of the fight Each one
felt that the cause dearest to his heart would
be directly influenced by the issue of the war.
On the side of the South were ranged the priv
LEGGED classes while the eager, anxious
millions looked to the Union flag as the star of
hope for the oppressed toilers of the world.
While the rich aristocrats emptied their Golfers
to assist the South the people sent forth their
RI n n hoft1a in tha of, rat;
humanity. From all lands the soldiers
gathered under the Stars and Stripes, and
helped to carry them to final and glorious
victory; and to-day the memory of the dead
will be celebrated in the accents of all lands.
From this cause as well as from the impor-
tance to the human race of the issues involved
the Union cause early ceased to have
sectional meaning It was the struggle Of the
people against privilege, the enforcement of
the grand idea Of the rights Of man, and it is
only in this sense that we should seek to per-
petuate it's memory. The lesson of the war
was noble one and ought never to be forgot
ten. Animated by the love of democratic in
situations, men forgot the ties of family and
home to take their places beside American citi-
zens in defence of the flag which offered refuge
and protection to the unfortunate and OPP
pressed. Cruel as was the war it cemented
the friendship Of the people, and proved that
the solidarity Of mankind was something more
than vague theory. There can be no ques-
ton how much it widened the sympathies of
our own people and effectively overthrow
the illiberal tendency of nativism which
aimed at erecting Chinese wall of
prejudice between the citizens of the
republic and the rest Of mankind
Ii the war had had no other effect than to
overthrow and destroy this evil influence which
was threatening to become danger in the land
there would be sufficient cause to glory in its
results not, indeed, in the way Of triumph
over gallant people of our own blood, but
in thankfulness of our escape from reaction
airy influences.
So long as the curse of slavery remained
there was stain on the national flag which
no sophisms could wipe out. Republicans the
world over blushed that noble nation, proud
of its freedom, should opprsss an inferior and
helpless race, and when at last the black stain
was washed out by the blood of gallant men
it was the cause of humanity that triumphed
1t is with these feelings that we should cast
our garlands on the graves of the Union SOL
diers. No unkind or ungenerous thought for
the gallant foes who fell for what they deemed
the right should find place in our breasts.
Enough that we know the men we honor fell
1aco - -, k1,oAx /,
passion and bitterness of the hour have
passed the children of the whole ma
ton will honor the men who fell
in the great cause. Let the garlands
be laid tenderly, sorrowfully, but proudly, yet
with no resentful or bitter thought. The
issues that caused the blood to flow are dead
never to arise again, and the heartburnings
and hatreds must be buried also. Our brothers
erred, and bitterly they suffered for their error;
but anger should not be eternal. AS we tri-
umphed we can afford to be generous. Let us,
therefore, stretch out the hand Of friendship to
our brothers of the South. They also have
their decoration day when they honor those
who died for the ''lost cause" We can
appreciate and sympathize with their devotion
to the gallant dead, and we hope the day is
not far distant when this sacred duty shall no
longer have any hostile or sectional signif-
canoe but that the soldiers of both armies
shall be remembered gratefully as citizens who
died at the call of patriotism in defence of
what they believedto be the right. This is the
true lesson which should be inculcated by the
honors to the dead both in the North and in
the South. Thus only shall we grow up q
great and united nation While preserving
the memory Of the national valor we must
bury the prejudices and resentments which
tend to perpetuate sectional hatreds
and disunion. Let MS forget that we
triumphed over rebels, and glory only in
the services that our victory rendered to man.
kind. This is a reason for rejoicing that in
the next generation will be common to all
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