The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-14
NyE.s MEMORIAL TRIBUTE.

The following epitome of Bill Nye's Decoration Day address is published, with Mir. Nye's consent, for the first time. It is not humorous, but a humorist is sometimes permitted to wash of the paint and come out of the ring to say what is in his heart:
 Nearly quarter ef century in the history of the nation has gone by since the first sounds of war found their way to the north A score of years have gone by since the worn and crippled veterans returned. They purchased for us the peace, prosperity and honor which ~e to- day enjoy. They made it possible Sor us to be proud that we are Americans. Ina, is the reason we are here today. The war was crowned with victory on the side of right It demonstrated the metal which made up our armies. When Columbia called for aid, she asked it ol young farmers, clerks, students and pro fessional men. They knew nothing oi var. They vent forward bravely, how ever, and to-day every southern state holds their sacred dust. Death at the mouth of the cannon, in the heat of con- fict, was easy under the old flag, but to suffer on for months in the hospital, fighting blood-poissning, malaria and the anguish of cankering wounds, vas hard to bear. To die at the moment oi victory, was brave thing, but to starve out the eternal years in southern prisons, with broken health and in the face of despair, vas an experience of which, we who were at home, knew little
 At the close of the war came another trial. The soldier returned to find his trade or his profession in other hands. It became necessary to lay aside his musket and saber, to vrest from out rageous fortunes a livelihood in the avo. cations of peace. This he has done with no less honor to himself than when he fought the foe and got the victory. Herein rests the safety of the nation. A republic resting upon the sure foundation of patriotism, which is alike devoted to the common good whether under the clouds of war or the blue sky of peace.
 There can he but one sentiment for the soldiers of America :" honor for the living, tears for the dead" And it is to both we owe an eternal debt to-day. The money required to pay the so-called war debt need not worry us. This debt to the Grand Army of the Republic we can never pay. They fought that freedom might exist in fact as we'll as in name.
 The time is coming when the graves of our honored dead will be decorated, not by the comrade, but by future gener- ations. The veterans of our great con- Aict are growing fewer as the years go by. Their names will soon be found only on the marble slab. and in the hearts of a grateful people. The comrade with the silver in his hair and the golden badge upon his breast, who bowed his head to- day over the graves of his comrades and paid his tender tribute of flowers, will soon be gone. The Grand Army of the Republic will have joined the silent majority of those who have fought their last fight and who have won the victory, above whose tombs may be written as in knightly days:
 The knights arc dust,
 Their swords are rust,
 Their souls are with the saints, we trust. n
 To them is due the nations great war debt. With each recurring Decoration Day the nation becomes more deeply in- debted to the heroes of the civil war. Living or dead we are their debeors. With the heritage of freedom comes the solemn, sacred duty of nations grateful remembrance.
 We can never pay this war debt. We can only pay the interest on each recur. ring memorial day with . nation Rrase. full tribute of flowers and of tears.