Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-09
The Measure Of Our Debt.

In the midst Of our rejoicing at the rapid
diminution Of what is technically denomi.
mated the national debt, it is well to remem.
Der that there are other than pecuniary OBJ
legations debts that are more binding and
more difficult fully to discharge than those
that are incurred by the equipment and main.
tenance Of armies and navies. These obliga-
tions are brought to mind by the late recur-
renee Of decoration day, and are well ex-
pressed by one of our contemporaries, from
which we quote. "The people of re-
deemed country have other duties than to
supply the drain on the national treasury.
There can be singled out Of the mass Of
population noble company Of men whose
bravery and sacrifice saved the government
when violent hands were laid upon it.
There are hundreds of thousands who went
into the thick Of BATTLE and many Of whom
fell as martyrs fall for the cause that has
won their devotion. What is the meaning
of memorial day; what signifies the solemn
ceremonies just ended, if the government,
as an organized power, and If citizens one
and all, who are glad and secure and thri-
wing to-day, as they would not be but for
the price our northern soldiers paid in weari-
ness, agony and blood, do not owe these men
something for the blessed peace and hope
that came from their agony and death. Very
matter-of-fact people, and those whose occu-
pations lead them to associate Indebtedness
mainly with the transactions of trade, using
it as mercantile term, are apt to dismiss
such references as we are making as being
overcharged with mere sentiment. But,
pray, will they not consider what patriotism
is but sentiment 2-and the same of that
loyalty which has prevented treason from
becoming triumphant, and their choicest
civil blessings from being wrested from
them ? 1t is we'll to hold fast to the real
and practical still, what can be more actual
and controlling than the feeling that in
spired the young men of the north in crisis
out of which grand or disastrous results
were to Gomez No; the people of this
country cannot cancel their entire indebted
ness on account Of the war by any financial
dealing whatever. There is something that
outvalues money. Principles and sentiments
have no market price as stocks, not because
they are of so little, but because of their
transcendent, worth. Remembrance, honor,
gratitude are chiefly due to those who per-
ished in, and those who survived, the con-
Hct which secured the foundations Of our
government, having stood or fallen at the
post of danger. This is a lesson to be i'm
pressed on each new generation. Fathers
will not give up their sons, lovers their be-
trothed, kindred their best beloved, in re-
Spouse to the summons to battle, as in days
not long past, if the memory of their slain
heroes will quickly fade from the minds of
those who share unspeakable gain from their
service and sacrifice. We repeat the plea
that the national debt incurred by bravery
in the field, and by suffering in hospitals
and prison-pens, together with all the ankle
ties and agonies incident to warfare, be first
acknowledged with warmest gratitude, and
that ever afterwards those sentiments be
kept alive in the hearts of our countrymen
which will prompt fit tributes to those who
preserved the government when threatened
with sudden and utter wreck, nevermore to
be withheld to the remotest period. Satur-
days observances may be credited as one
installment towards the discharge of an in.
calculable obligation"