Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-06-09
IN MEMORIAM.
Decoration Day.
Inter-Ocean.

lnter-OCehH,
1t is a sad reflection that among the
thousands whose graves are covered
with bright flowers, and whose names
are revered and honored to-day, few
lived to see the triumph which their
prowess achieved, or were made glad
by the thought that their services
were not given in vain. Some fell
early in the conflict, when all was
dark and doubtful. Others later,
when slowly but surely the cause of
the Union had advanced, and the
signs portended the final victory of
liberty. But the number was exceed
ingly small that passed away at the
supreme moment when the glad note
OF the last surrender fell upon the
ears of a happy country, and full
recompense was received for all the
dangers and prlvations endured
But though the silent veterans did
not live to enjoy the crowning tri-
umph that came to the cause they
served, they departed in the full be-
lief that their services would be re-
membered and their names held in
grateful recollection. This thought
has in all ages cheered the soldier,
and it influences in a great degree
the actions Of men in all departments
of life. 1t may be weakness, but it
is an honorable one, to wish that
when we are gone the world may re-
gret us and speak we'll of us. 1t
rarely happens, therefore, that the
cynicism of Falstaff afflicts military
heroes, and honor, glorious life
crowned by still more glorious
death, are the highest ambition of the
true soldier. The men who died in
the service of the Union expected to
be remembered, and whether they
themselves are now conscious Of this
gratitude makes little difference
The thought cheered them, and its
fulfillment helps those who make
good that hope. The ceremonies of
to-day, though tender tribute to the
dead, should not be without influence
for good on the living. What we
risked, what We gained, what we have
to preserve, should be devoutly re-
membered. And when we reflect
upon the cost of our victory, the de-
termination should everywhere grow
stronger to guard we'll the heritage
gained at such 4 sacrifice. 1t will
not be amiss to summarize the cost,
IN order that the full remembrance of
our great conflict may be kept before
us. The whole number of men en-
listed in the Union army from the
beginning to the end of the rebellion
was 2,6ss,52a. AS many of these
were mustered IN twice, and as the
number embraces all of whatever
grade called upon, is estimated that
million at least should be deducted,
leaving 100000 who actively partlci-
pated in suppressing the insurrection.
The total population from which
these were drawn amounted to about
25,OOO,OOO, so that more than one
tenth of the entire male population
of the United States not rebels must
have ,joiped in defense of the Union.
Of this number $4,000 fell dead up
Oh the field, $4,000 died of wounds,
and $4,000 perished by disease
Enough more died, no doubt, after
their discharge to swell the total to
100000 men, and this, to say nothing
of the many thousands permanently
crippled by wounds or disabled by
disease while serving in the army
This was the expenditure of human
bone and muscle IN the struggle. In
money the exhibit is scarcely less ap-
palling. Four thousand millions is
estimated as the direct and traceable
cost of the rebellion to us; but to this
might be added hundreds of millions
more expended indirectly through
other than regular channels, but
which sum goes to swell the amount
to one almost fabulous.
There is no day in the year SO ap-
propriate for recalling these facts as
this, wherein the mind naturally re-
verts to the history of that terrible
struggle. We would not have these
cruel scenes recalled to excite bitter
ness. The day for that has passed.
But with the remembrance of them
should come Il quiet resolution to
yield no iot of what those dead heroes
achieved for us, and to hold just as
sacredly the fruits of their victory as
we do the memories of the brave
men who gained it.