The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-19
OUR MEMORIAL DAY.
" And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers
And the temples of his Gods )


And the temples of his Gods?"
Horatsus.
So spoke the grand old Roman in the grand
old Roman days. If the glory of Rome has
passed away; if ruth 50 time has "fret away
the fabric of her fame" save in its grand
historical and poetical reflex, the instincts
and principles, "the will to do and soul to dare"
that made Rome great, are, thank God, still
an inherent attribute Of human nature. II it is
mans high privilege as it is his rightfal province
to memorize great deeds; to meet adverse cir
cumstances and hew ont of it the fate and for
tune of his country, and to build up and sustain
her lave. it is fully and freely accorded to woman
| to express her sympathy aud appreciation. The
true man would as soon deny this right as the
sun In the plenitude of his wealth aud power
would gather up in golden selishness his I'M
needed light, and deny the tender empire Of the
moon and stars.
No word from any pen could add to the ,tern
historical facts or truthful eloquence with which
the 18th OF September has been memorized by
its chosen orator. but each and all feel the long
ing and claim the right to speak some word Of
gratitude on this our common anniversary, and
l, in my womanhood, may lay with brave heart.
yet timld hand, the simple flower where the
laurel has been wreathed. Among the many
anniversaries Of State and National life, where 4
free and sovereign existence Was guaranteed to
all and where justice reigned supreme, 1t seems
but yesterday that "Poor Louisiana" with her
royal blrthright, presented pc. itlon and prayer
for her bare rights-rignts lean and haggard by
oppresson-and plead in almost abject humilia-
ton for the rule of musket and the bayonet
until she should be heard.
Thus stood Louisiana, q sovereign dethroned
and dismantled - uncrowned and wounded.
Thus the original 14th Of September found her.
1t was no faction; none were for the party and
all were for the State" 1t was no war of races
it was Louisianas fragrant wrong-the nations
disgrace. What wonder that gentle women grew
desperate, an on that morning parted from hus-
band, sire and son with calm ia es and unshrink-
ing hearts great stiffness was on heart and
home and land. The only fear was some rash
hand might break the law and mar its majesty.
Shall ever forget how the day wore itself away
in solemn stiffness, and how as evening stole
upon our neighborhood the hush was intensi-
fed Was it fancy or were the stars thankful for
the gentle yelling OF the clouds2 1t was at this
hour my neighbours husband was brought home,
dead; shot twice. There was no word Of loving
farewell, no last embrace neither wife Nor
chld saw him in life again, after he gaily waved
his hand in the morning and answered smiles
with smiles.
Louisiana can have none nearer or dearer to
the hearts Of her children than this last, and
none that is moe encompassed with tho wise
teachings OF the Presidents, statesmen and ora
tors of America. At it's approach, memory with
busy hands unfurls her panorama, and lol
an infant nation, born in persecution, urtured
in poverty and privation in q strange, wild land;
resolute hearts and minds, aided by willing
hanes, worked on, tributary for years to a far-od
power. The requirements of the law were full
filed, until the law was lost in lawless admins
Lration. Then it was this people arose in right
eous wrath. There were years Of unequal con-
Test. Now on the height of the mountain, now
in the shade Of the valley, now in the glorious
sunlight and now in the deep starlight, Ameri-
can heroes pledged Freedom in their own Ii e.
blood. In this rough cradle the principles Of
American government slept and dreamed of o
happy republican realization.
These same principles were rebaptized and
afresh on Louisiana's soil Septem-
Der IA, 1874; and always maintaining these, the
eeble colonies battling for national ext. tence,
grew and thrived. History accorded America an
'mblazoned page. Geography enrolled the
United States Of America and the It'd Of emf
grafton rolled its great waves to this land-where
liberty was q ver1table fact-a tane ible reality.
6 Oh but for such, Columbia's days were GER
Later on, others were brought home, wounded
into death; each wife and mother whispered 10
nay be mine next; but in the dark hour there
we're no murmur; better so than to purchase
afety with dishonor. The clamps of an hundred
ears" are shining in our county and the shades
4 heroes in blue and gray and those Of the
White League" seem nearer to US, and all is
,eace.
II my pen could close in so beautiful and i'm
ressive tableau as that which closed the COM
nemoration Of the 14th Of September, could
Vish for no higher. In his rich manhood the
hief OF Louisianas banditt-the only native
anditti Louisiana ever knew-offered his arm
nth gentleness almost won4nly, and assisted
ne OF Heavens ambassadors to rise, that he
hight pronounce the benedic ion. What more
loquent eulogism for the slain heroes. Across
,ousiana's sons and daughters with Bonded
eads and uphfted hears bow to keep their
memory pure and living.
Here, honor comes a pilgr i'm grew
To bless the turf that wr ps heir CLAW:
And freedom shall awhile repair
10 dwell weeping hermit there"