Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-05-31

noble heroes vho vent forth al Dat, :
call TO safe their country. We see them
weary with the march. shiveriua In the
winter wind, borne dpvn by sumner
heat, pinched by hunger, rscked with
the p ain Of wound, the torturing hand
ef pestiience laid upon them: no tidinos
from the home 50 loved behind them.
nope OF the triumph Of right growing
dim before them. We see them suffer
ing thus and bearing the weight of heart
panRs unseen and unnnmbered. vhos,
sharp infections no pen can describe.
We see them thus and yet in faith and
courage, With unfailinR devotion and a
loyalty that never falt red, standing
shoulder TO shoulder for God and their
country. until 1t last. a. II will T., faith
ini nearts In every CLINE and every age.
the right trIumphsd.
| We see the conflict ended and the
angel OF Peace descsucino apon our
ltnd, touching the gaping wounds with
nef healing nnRer, bringing good fellow
snip and fraternal feeling where had
been hrartbnrnings and the MADNESS of
anger; bringing Prosperity and plenty
where had been want and d@priv ,tion.
We See the conflict ended and each
year. experience since proving the
worth OF the great SACRIFICES, the value
oi the Dressed accomplishments of our
patriot Uaion soldiers.
put the past 10 gone. The picture il
IaoinR and growing dim. The halloved
memories will soon be recited no more
ny those who took part in the struggle.
Each year addsto the shrines, there are
new graves To decorate on Memorial
day. Ere long the last veteran of the
war for the Union will have CROSSED thu
river and camped on the other shore.
Ere long faded flag, silent drum.
rusty scabbards and furnished mu-ks,s
tiobe will remain to mark the posts of
the Grand Army Of the Republic.
But Is our duty done or today? L.
This all, comrades and friendsf Has
Decoration day nothing for Us bat proud
memories, green graves and bright gar
land?
Did think we had on this occasion
no Other appropriate words to utter, or
instructive thoughts to lind expression,
my voice would have remained silent.
Did l believe on this day, in I o ri.
lent, sacrea presence. We had no practi-
| cal lesson TO learn, no lofty aspiration
To kindle. would hide my head in
shame, and agree that the war for the
Union WAS indeed a failure.
Look back upon those years of trial.
when American manhood WAS put 10 the
test and passed through the dread or
deal OF fire and sword. coming forth
from the Valley of the Shadow of Death
stronger, purer, more full of faith in
| Il d and love to man than before-look
forward TO that unseen beyond, into
which our Comrades have . ,ssed whose
memories cluster around this day. in
woke the presence of their dep .rted
spirIts. and letin the lesson of Loyalty,
that breathes like the very breath uf
God Ia this hour.
In It's brosdest and best sense, no LOT
tisr sentiment than loyalty ever enter
ed the heart OF man. IL II the perfec-
ton Of many = human virtue. Could
they speak, they would tell Won that
heavenly revelation opens no brighter
parposs In life, discloses NO higher AS
" hat IL Loyalty, do you ask? The
dictionary tells as that 10 is derived
from the French word "Loi," meaning
| properly that fidelity which one owes
| according 10 law; and this derivation
does not necessarily include that at
tachment to the royal person whicn in
EnRlaud has happily been thrown into
or given to the word.
The war for the Union, among nc.
tie least OF its many blessed results. ex-
tended the application and broaden.d
the meaning Of this grand word-Loy-
atty.
la the course Of that mighty struggle,
hundred questions arose, In INVOLVING the
establish meat aud perpetuAtion of the
| Government, and tha advancement If
justice aud right. Tie emancipation
| of slaves, the maintenance of public
credit, the voting OF supplies to Uaion
soldiers, the giving 10 them needed aid
ana comfort and moral support, the
uursing of and ninisttriuR TO the sick
AID w.unded, even of our foes-the-e
became the duti of loyal men aud
women, and 10y lily, growing word,
came to imply y devotion to duty iu
whatever direction 1t lay, wherever IL
| m Rht be found.
| Under the old d. fuitiau ID had been
| extended to mean fidelity to husband.
wife or lover; bat the war for the Union
gave IL tue broader, truer, Rrander defin-
ition of fidelity to duty. The loyal citl-
zen Of to-day owes allegiance not alone
III his country, nor fidelity TO wife, hus-
band and lover only, bat TO God and his
fellow man as we'll.
Loyalty I love the word. II reaches
| out over highest mountain top, aad
there are no hidden depths to which IL
does not extend. it belongs TO no sta
| ton la life. Wherever duty 10 present,
loyalty. which Is the loving, faithful
performance of duty, Is found. The
monarch on ths throne cannot usure lis
exercise. for the humblest soldier in the
Grand Army of Humanity can outrank
king IN loyalty. Emerson has we'll
| said, Gave the health and day and |
will make the pomp of einperors ridicn-
ious - but gives TO us under Gods
blessing to be ever loyal 10 duty, and
We will make the polup OF empcrors
| ridiculous ia sickness or health, in
wealth or poverty. in life or death.
| Loyaltyi love the word. IL reaches
back into the ages Of the past aud
crowns with cpronet mere Precious than
any earthly diadem brows tnat IN life
| had borne the thofns of scorn. reproach
and sontumeiy. 10 extends through Al,
lands, TO every nation, and ennobles
| every true mao of whatever race, color
or condition. II mustsrs into its battai-
ions. binding tsgather aud strengthen
ing for good all creeds aud churches.
Every willing heart that knocks at Its
doors inds them open.
| Loyalty love the word. II unites
all loving spirits. makes then stand
eu4rd for the right, maintains Justice.
insures domestic tranquility. carries
peace and comfort 90 homes where want
and care hsd prev ,iled. watches BY the
bed of sickness to relieve the suffering
Que, lavishes its wealth ut sympaihy On
poor hearts stricken with sorrow, gath
ers recruits even from spiriss dvspairine
and bids them hopc and nxht on tor tie
end Of var. the realization OF hope, Il
aot far uff.
Ley ltyl love the word. II com
mands the 80 ID citiz n TO stand hrm for
| thu right when corporate power attempts
to trample under foot the welfare of she
State. ignores the rights Of oommuni'
tiee. places unrishseous burdens on In
dividusls. aud untitlcd. seeks 10 per
pesu ate It's power and enrich itself by
claiming an absolute Ownership OF that
| Viii is has moi earned or rigstfuiis ac-
a sired. II commands all good citixsns
Ii, stand firm against false hearted
demagoeuery. and TO regard a. dis
loyal traitor the man who for self al
/ ytncemcut or political power. attempts