Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-05-31
Y. 3. MA5Sr7. -
g. WllvypT. hdtors'
aUNBURY, MAY 81, 1873.


s.-ss.--rs...s
TODAY friday the ceremony of strew-
ing flowers upon the graves Of the heroes
Who in the late war
"Sank to rest.
.,y oil their country's wishes blcst," "r
will be observed throughout the entire
North. This is q ftting demonstration Of
affection and honor to the brave soldiers
whose sacrifices cannot be overestimated,
and who perished In the loyal uniform.
Over three hundred thousand lives were
given in defence Of tho nation-that we
might have purer and freor government.
With but few exceptions the fallen heroes
were volunteers of the army-young men
who f1rsook for the love of their country,
the comforts Of peace, the enjoyment Of
plentiful homes, the endcarments Of do
inestic life, and endured the hard discipline
ofmilitary training in The ca mp, the fatigue
and exposure of forced marches over al
most impossible roads, the pangs Of hun
ger and thirst, the keen billings of the win
ter's winds and SHOWS, and the fierce smit-
ings Of the summer sun. They were ex-
posed to disease, yet they battled on, Civ
ing their hearts blood that their country
might live. In their struggle for the ma
tion's life came wounds in all their hideous
forms, and far from home, under friendly
trees, in novels or in hospitals, ministered
to by rude hands if by Kind hearts, many
bid farewell, and their lives went out On
the battlefield thousands fell ungathered,
whose sacred remains await the resurrec-
ton morn. These, though uuhonorcd by
funeral memorials, are not forgotten, and
they find in the hearts of greatful people,
monuments moro pleasing than those Of
granite or brass.
TIE graves Of the patriot dead among US,
are loyal legacies worthy Of our highest ho-
nor and affection. In adorning them we
gratitude for their services, and renew our
vows Of fidelity TO the common country
they died for. Tho ceremony should be no
fnere parade, and meaningless rite. 1t
should be performed solemnly, feelingly
and religiously. No rude trampling
through the sacred resting places of the
dead, breaking the almost holy silence that
broods over the tombs of our relatives and
friends with uneouth and ribald utteran-
ces.
The flowers strewn upon the graves of our
dead soldiers soon lose their fragrance and
perish. II has been suggested to plant
flowers ut the graves that the adornment
may be more lasting after the observance
ceases, which suggestion we give our hear
ty commendation. But We are not salts
fled with these floral gifts. Our departed
heroes and martyrs deserve higher and
more enduring memorials, such as will
hold their names and memories fresh for
the admiration of the generations that will
follow US. When all the actors in the
fearful tragedy have passed away. When
oniy history and tradition shall keep alive
the deeds of the great war, how fondly
would posterity do homage to the names Of
the men; officers and prvates. Let every
citizen then, as they take part in to.day's
services, remember that they owe the dead
soldiers Of Northumberland county bcGt-
ting monument. \ monument is now be-
ing erected at the county seat, Sunbury, in
memory of all the heroes from tho county
who fell in the service of their country.
The foundation for this memorial struc-
sure, is now being laid, upon which the
monument is to be erected during the com.
Ing season. We appeal, therefore in be.
half of the heroes in whose memory the
monument is to be erected, to remember
that they owe q liberal contribution to-
wards its completion. Remember too,
that through the lack of funds, the struc-
ture cannot be finished, and that your
friends arc left without that recognition to
which they are so richly entitled.