The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-22
LOYAL W0MbN'S WORK
Memorial Day Sentiments Experience
Meeting--Relief Corps Notes.



II is twenty-three years since the war for
the preservation Of the Union began and
nineteen since it ended; and for the six
teehth time, under the auspices of the Grand
Army of the Republic, the graves of our fallen
heroes are to be remembered with tributes OF
flags and flowers. new generation is fast
pushing aside che old. and each year multi
tude of eager faces lock up into our eyes and
inquire with lisping voices: What is Memo
riai Dayg"
For ourselves, may we not pause and in
guire, Why do we keep Memorial Day7" Is
il alone that in the spirit OF affection we would
add another link 10 the long remembrance of
departed friends2 Surely it is not this. Most
OF the soldiers whose memories We thus honor
were to us strangers personally. We never
looked kindly thoughts into each others eyes.
We never exchanged the ffsternal clasp of
hands They never broke bread at our table;
or held sweet intercourse with US at our fire.
side; walked with u.s. arm in arm, our com
pauions and brothers. We may not even have
brushed their garments as we hurried along
the busy streets. Unknown and unloved in
their individual capacity during their lives,
why should we remember them in deathf why
do we observe Memorial Day? Is it alone that
we would pay tTsDuue TO the heroism that
shone ia the lives of those whose heads have
for years been low in the dust; that we would
recall their deeds Of galor the Spartan feats of
prowess that welded their names to glory and
undying fame? Then were it meet, indeed. to
honor alike the Blae and the Gray. No Drawer
followed the old flag through the lightnings
and terrors Of lookout Mountain or Mission
Ridge than who, under the stars and bars. and
ia rebel gray, threw liberty aud fortune into
the balance and laid their lives on the red altar
of rebellion.
Why, then, do we observe Memorial Day? 1t
is that we would keep green in cur memories
the patriotism which inspired the Union army
the devotion TO the flag of their country, the
institutions of their fathers, TO the free-born
laws and traditions of the beloved Union of
States. Remembered in this spirit. Memorial
Day has a meaning too deep for utterance. Ii
is the Nations great annual revival OF patriotic
zeal and FIRE; the Mecca that gladdens and
strengthens the pilgrim heart.
That man is little TO be envied whose
patriotism would not gain force upon the plain
OF Marathon ~ How much less to be envied is
the man whose heart receives no new thrills Of
patriotism when standing by the graves of
those who gave up ali for the country that
gave them birth and liberty. " To defend my
country is 70 defend nv home" These were
the words Of young patriot leaving yonng
and helpless family for the battle front. He
died 10 keep his faith. T" Lay me down and
save the flag" said dying colonel, on Yir-
| ginia battlefield, to his comrades who had
stopped to carry him from the field.
These are the words and these the deeds we
should keep in remembrance on Memorial Day.
/ This must be the teaching we must give our
/ boys and girls and earnest youth, if we desire
/ them TO be nurtnred on the food that strength
ems patriots if we would have them stirred
/ up with high hopes of living to be brave men
and worthy patriots, dear to God, and famous
in all ages"