Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-06-05

standard which our heroic dead have
given us. We are not met to-day to
cherish malice, to cultivate an sppe-
tite for war. and increase blood
thirstiness, but to cherish the noble
sentiments of our nature which come
out in gratitude for the sacrifices
made for our country; and while we
are assembled on such occasions as
this we are made to kindle anew the
noble characteristics Of our nature
We want day in which to call out
patriotism we need this day to call
out these sentiments, and to enthuse
the youth of our country, that they
may become strong in these principles.
It was such principles as these that
actuated the men whom we to-day
honor. They didn't 60 because they
were dissatisfied with life, and had
no fair prospect before them, for they
were for the most part happy in life,
and in prosperous condition but they
went out because they loved their
country; they went out to serve
their country, and it is we'll to call
up their memories, and to cherish
their virtues, that we may have q
generation Of heroes from those who
play around their graves and
strew flowers upon them.
We want the deepseated, earnest prin-
ciple of patriotism they possessed.
We want it not so much for war as
for peace, and the cultivation of those
|principles instilled in the minds of
Four American youth as the guiding
principles of their lives, is the surest
guaranty for the future prosperity of
our country.
1t is eminently proper that this day
has been appointed, for the purpose
of our having q realizing sense Of the
privileges which we enjoy; the bless
ings We have come to us so easy and
in such familiar way that they are
not fully appreciated, and we need to
halt in the busy rush of life to think
over these things the atmosphere we
breathe is the source of health and
sweetness, and it comes to us almost
unnoticed, yet we are dependent up
it; and SO our free government comes
SO freely and 30 lightly upon US, we
hardly think Of its existence, yet it
gives us liberty, and sheds sunshine
far and wide, and blessings down our
pathway, and we scarcely realize the
source whence they proceed. It is
we'll for us to think, to-day, how
much this nation has cost-tO think of
the hardships, self-denial, the treas
ures of wealth aud blood that have
been necessary to erect this beautiful
fabric: of government-to think how
much Of the precious treasure of life
has been needed, not only to lay the
Foundation, but to build up the walls.
OF time it has required . whole CEN
tury-and yet, it is possible some
ruthless hand might bring this fabric
to q wreck in q days time unless we
learn to guard and care for it.
1t is proper for US to use the OPP
portunities afforded like this in which
to cultivate our love and spprecia.
ton of the exalted liberties and priv
ileges we enjoy. It has been said ii
those who establish nation should
be honored, so should those who
preserve it, While we think of
George Washington who has been
honored, and think of those no.
BILE men who laid the foundations
of this Republic, let us not
forget those, who, with equal self
denial and courage preserved 1t by
their lives, that we may hold ever sa-
cred its integrity and perpetuity.
Those brave men whose graves we
decorate to-day were the pillars from
which were projected the freedom of
the nation, and the progress of hu-
manity; it seemed that in our coun-
try's last complication of affairs, moth
ing was capable OF removing it but
the sword; like the Gordian knot
presented to Alexander to unite, up
on which depended his success, he
drew his sword and cut it; SO here
was knot to b. united, and the
sword was drawn, the knot was cut,
and thus the way WAS opened up for
the success and progress of human
destiny which before was unopened.
These men have done service for our
common humanity, and if we are as
successful in our day and lives as
they were, and in their deaths, we
will be eminently successful indeed.
While we gather to-day around
these graves, Il seems TO me the God
dess of Liberty, herself, will walk
over this lane, over the graves, and
will fad those unknown. lying in dis