Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-06-18

affection for my own section of the Union and
for my own State. Is this treason? Is this dis.
loyalty? No. sir. Local attachment Is the very
germ and life of the purest patriotism. Where
is the American who loves not America above
all other countries? Where is the Northern,
not his own section most? Where is the Var
gilman, worthy the name, who loves not his
mother State above all others? And, sir, may
man who does not feel in his heart that our
grand old county is a little better than any other
county in the State?
No, sir, there is nothing in the warmest de-
vOtiOn to home, or country or State, or section,
at all inconsistent with the utmost loyalty to
this Union. Our pride, then, in the soldierly
conduct Of our own boys is not only pardon,
able Indulgence, but an honest and natural
expression Of our own patriotism. They ask
us to be loyal to this Union. and to say and do
nothing which may give offence to the domi-
nant party. So be it, say I. But be it ever re-
membered, that he who is not loyal to his own
friend, dead or living, to his own people and his
not and can not be loyal to anything else in
this world. For one, 1 could not and Oo,1ld not
betray the memory of these dead comrades to
please or to save any party.
To you, young soldiers, may confidently APP
peal to preserve the memory of the men whose
color you wear. Sacred color! baptized in the
blem of devotion to duty and the right. You
can not forget them while you wear 1.-The gray"
To you, my old comrades. whom see scat
tered here and there in this vast throng; to
you. with whom these silent sleepers once
touched elbows amid whizzing minnies, burst
ing shell and shrieking shot; whose voices
cOmmingled with yours In the fierce yell of
battle, the ringing cheers Of victory and the
genial camp song; who have shared with you
the boarded biscuit, the cheerful pipe, and the
vain to preserve this grateful annual:custom OF
decorating their graves with flowers.
But may not still more confidently appeal
and last in their hearts, TO you the dying mes
sages were sent. For mother, sister, wife or
daughter the last prayer was breathed. Full
well know your loving hearts will not forget
the vacant chairs" in syour households, nor
fail to teach your children the sad story of their
heroic lives; and that when Spring-time brings
the flowers again, your fair hands will not fail
to form fresh wreathes wherewith to decorate
these tOmbS.
But. my friends, can we pay the deep debt Of
gratitude. due the Confederate dead, with How
ers alone? Where are their dear ones to-day +?
Does the widow, orphan, or mutilated or dis
tressed comrade wander up and down the land
homeless, pennilesS, and friendleSS? If SO, the
debt has not been paid. Has one of these been
turned from our doors unaided and uncheered?
Can it be that we have spent thousands in
grand parade over the dead, and have shut our
hearts and our hands to those in distress who
were dear to them.
Never, meuer, let this be truly said of Virgin
lanS. To be thus untrue to those who were SO
true to US, would be to dishonOr our own man.
hood and to cast the first blot on the fair fame
of our mother State, which, whetherin the field
or the forum, has grown ever brighter, ever
name of Virgi,,ian is the proudest birth-right
in all this wide, beautiful world.
Col. James H. Skinner, President of the As
ISOLATION, made a brief statement of its condi-
ton, and the benediction was pronounced by
Rev, DIR. Manly.
The ceremonies were ended with salutes fired
by the infantry companies and Staunton Ar
tillery. The Lynchburg company did not have
their guns with them.
ifor
turned to the city, and, after refreshments at
the Grange Hall, were taken to their quarters
at the Hotels.
The rest of the evening was spent by the mill
itary in resting, making acquaintance, and
social intercourse.
The time was most delightfully."- spent until s
o'clock, the hour for the Valley companies to
return, when they were escorted to the depot
by the staunton companies. and, after few
short speeches, departed amidst the cheers and
good wishes of all.
When the Lynchburg company left at half
past one o'clock, the whole line of march from
the Grange Hall to the depot was most beauti-
fully illuminated with various colored lights,
roman candles, and rockets, making theOtreets
with their decorations look like scene from
fairy land.
This celebration of Memorial Day has GER
tainly been the most successful event that has
ever occurred in StauntOn. 1t was grand sue
cess in the extent and character of the decora-
tions, in the large number of military present,
and in the immense crowd of people assembled.
Everything in connection with it passed Off in
the most pleasant and enjoyable manner. Good
order, good humor. and good conduct prevailed
throughout the day; nothing whatever occurred
to mar the pleasure of the occasion. The guests
of our military and citizens went away satisfied
and delighted with the hespitable entertain
ment they had received, and full of enthusias-
tic appreciation of Staunten and her citizens
1t has been productive of mutual acquaintance
among the military companies of the Valley
and from other parts Of the State, that will
bind them more closely together in friendship
and soldierly ca17aTadesie.
The bearing of the visiting military, not only
as soldiers, but as gentlemen, was particularly
noticeable, and was the subject of frequent re-
mark. Their soldierly appearance elected much
praise. and our people generally unite in the
wish that we may soon have the pleasure Of
entertaining them again.