National Republican., 1883-05-31

I VTUUTUU6 WS50UIMTeW WITh mo. a
beautiful idea that led to setting apart one day in
each year to refresh our memory of those of our
| lelloW eountrymen who gave the most that man
| national Union, aud to tho conservation of our
ireo and well, guarded civil institutions. It is q
ntung expression OF afiectionate regard to spread
lowers from time to time upon their graves.
Flowers are the language of love between the
living and equally between the Lying and the
| uead, All OF us have passed through cemeteries,
and noticed here and there tho rosc the mignon.
| cite, the lily or tho immortelles resting on the
graves Of those who sleep below. and we have
not doubted what the spectacle means. The
sleeper is all unconscious of the tribute paid TO
his memory, but the flowers speak Of the living,
Of the glowing affection that fingers in their
hearts, an affection that death has not extin-
guished. The tribute is not unmeaning Nor will
ours DO when we resort to the national cemetery
and strew oyer the resting places Of the sleepefs
there the tokens of our love and unfading recol-
For more than hundred years we have an
nually celebrated by bon6res firing of cannon
ringing of bells, and public gatherings the birth
and independent existence of our great nation
we nave paid public honors 10 the memory Of the
actors In the revolutionary struggle. The Fourth
OF July, 1TI6, will ever bo remembered aud oele-
bratcd with glad acclalms. And so we honor all
those, known or unknown, by whom our country
was carried successfully through the contest that
resulted in establishing our independence. Their
names may have been forgotten, but their patriot
ism, their love OF liberty, and their heroic self.
sacrifice viii be forgotten-never: We shall be
,aise 10 our ancestry false TO much that ennobles
the love OF country the love of civil liberty, and
the self devotion which the soldiers Of the revolu-
ton exhibited in securing for us. their posterty,
the uncounted blessings we now enjoy. never
stand beside one such soldiers grave, how
ever humble he may have been, without profound
respect. often search the tombstones in old
churchyards 10 find those recording the fact that
the sleepers beneath were soldiers OF the revolu-
tion. And to this day we all regard II an honor
for any man to be able TO say, am a descendant
OF revolutionary soldier. We all acknowledge
that every onicer and private who sleeps in a
spect and srstudo.ontied S to Be held in o ever sG
lasting remembrance for his far-seeing patriotism
and for his self.sacrifce. Nor can we ever forget
the enlightened patriotism and comprehensfye
affection that gave to the American people tho
glorious constitution and union under which we
now i've distributing blessings TO every family In
this broad land, and to every Individual, however
humble. That, indeed, was not the work of
soldiers, but It was the .outgrowth of what the
soldiers Of the revolution had done.
And why should not those who, In our great
oiyil war, with the same spirit that animated the
most that man can give-toil, privation suffering,
and lile-for the preservation Of the grandest po.
liteal union the world has ever seen, and for the
worthy OF equal, II not greater. honor? Why
should not they too-olfcer and soldier-be
remembrance? Why should Not tive we. w Who reSn ths
fruit Of their toll and suffering stand reverently
and atectionately beside their graves to-day?
their usual employments, Abandoned the pursuits
In which they were engaged, severed themselves
from father and mother, from brother and
country's call, and crowned their sacrifice by
yielding life ITSELF not for Themselves but for
their graves. They lived and died, not for the
glory Of conqueror, not in support of royal
master or an arbitrary government, but for the
the avowed OBJECT Of Which was 'S to establish M iUs
tioe insure domestlc.tranquility. provide for the
common defense proTaitS the general welfare and
posterity." Was there ever nobler patriotism
All honorbe to them We will ever remember them
with the tonderest regard We honor ourselves
Such Is one of the purposes. If uuderstand
them, Of the association known as the Grand
Army of the Republic, before one department Of
which speak this day, This department is COM
posed OF survivors of the army of the Potomac.
men who net the perils, endured the hardships,
suffered the defeats and won the Victories in
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia during the
late civil war. They are the men of Antietam, of
the army, but they are banded together for very
noble purposes, one of which is to perpetuate the
naspaS rnab anS nas'ory 81 Ine Head ney have have
who have fallen and VINO lie sleeping in yonder
cemetery. 1t might be expected they will feel
an honorable regard, tender affection for those
with whom they. were formerly associated In
the hardships and struggles of the. war, whose
pabo dI love OF ne the qiSSGn and devotion to
experience OF hardships and dangers is bond of
sympathy and mutual regard which even death
cannot sever. 1t draws men together rs no other
experience can. But you, gentlemen OF the Grand
Army, are not alone ip your reverence and afec-
ton for your fallen comrades Millions Of your
countrymen who never belonged to the army,
men and women who had no share in your tolls
aud dangers, stand side by side with you In earn
ns IN yaS So
honor Of having saved for yourselves and all of
US, as well as for those who shall come after u.s.
OF our liberties, of our domestic tranquility and Of
our advancement In Civilization.
But the purpose Of the Grand Army of the Re-
public extends far beyond perpeLuatlon OF the
memory and history. of the dead 1t is also to as
sist such comrades In arms as need help and pro-
lection, and to extend needful aid TO the widows
and orphans Of the fallen. Could there be
nobler purposel ITO pity distress Is human, to
Teoys Il is GodiiEo "Thoy God we'll who
vain. "What a precious comfort its TO have SO
many, like brothers, commanding one another's
and Orphans made such by the fortunes of war,
there must be, there have been multitudes who
have sorely needed, and who still need the sym.
Army are pledged to give. Not alone their hus-
bands and fathers made sacrifice for the welfare
Of the country. They were part of the offering.
| In true sense victims of the sacrifice, 10
| extend to them needed relief and the supporting
hand Of heartfelt sympathy, must be one Of the
Joys OF membership in the association. The great
I Redeemer of the world, who knew what is In the
heart OF man. said sit is more blessed to give than
to receive" and those who have tried the expert
ment OF extending needed and sympathetic aid
| appreciate the truth of the declaration.
Beyond the widows aud orphans of fallen COM
assist comrades that still live who need help and
protection. and Of those there must be many
And even where no aid or protection Ia needed, In
| hours OF perplexity or depression, which come
who feel an interest In all that befalls u.s. and who
would gladly relieve, If they could, Is itself a
| comfort and u relief Such comfort your associa-
tion Is constantly giving,
must not overlook another object the Grand
| Army of the Republic has In view, namely, Gull
| tlvating a spirit of fraternity among the living
as well as remembrance and honor of the dead,
| Bound together by the ties of common experience,
| thaV In at In,
| defense of "A righteous cause, animated as they
have been by the same love Of country and our
benign institutions, resolute as they all have been
70 preserve, at any cost for themselves and poster
| ity that union which our forefathers resolved
should be close and perpetual why should not
| brotherly love continue among all the survivors
| OF the armies of the United States which yindi-
Gated the honor OF the government and restored
| supremacy to Its constitution and laws The abb
sence OF fraternal love in such would be unnat-
| ural, unworthy Of those whose whose souls were
| once stirred in unison by the noblest impules
Great souls by instinct TO each other true, de-
| mand alliance and In friendship burn,
Happily we all SO constituted that the effort to
preserve and cultivate fraternal regard for those
with whom we have been associated In past trials,
dangers, suterings, ana struggles, brings with 1t
| ils own reward in our own Increased enjoyment.
This Is eminenty true where the trials, dangers,
suiierlngs and struggles were encountered in be-
| half OF the right.
There is still another object which the Grand
| Army OF the Republic proposes to itself, and to
| which, / understand, It's members are pledged
| ~ Is Ito maintain true allegiance to the United
states OF America, based upon paramount respect
for, and fidelity to, the national constitution aud
laws; 20 odlscountenanoe whatever tends to weaken
loyalty incios to insurrectlon, treason, or rebel
Hon, or In any manner lmpairs the efficiency and
permanency OF our free institutions; and 70 en-
courage the spread Of universal liberty, equal
| rights, and Justice to all men,"
| Grand object n0ble resolyoI What aoul 40 hasa