Morning journal and courier., 1884-05-26
Memorial Day.

Discourse by Dr. Peck-A Great Audi
 enee-Grand Army Men.
 At the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church last night Rev. Dr. Peck preached to an over- flowing house. Every available spot was ec- cupied, stage and corridors were crowded and many turned away unable to find even standing room. The occasion was the preaching by Rev pr. Peck of the annual sermon preparatory to Memorial day. Ads miral Foote post Mo- IT, G. A. R., and Nathan Hale camp No. l, Sons of Veterans, were present by special invitation. ~Dr. Peck's text was from 2d Samuel, chapter l, 25-27, s'How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! How are the mighty fallen and the weapons of war perishedl" Courage and heroism have always chaileng- ed the admiration of the world. In early periods superstitious awe and amazement so possessed people that they invested their heroes with attributes of deities. In our times our heroes stand high in the hearts of humanity. The names of those who died for their country can never perish. Such names as Nelson, Washington and Lincoln have al- ways been regarded as at the climax of human greatness. Courage, virtue and patflOI1S1 are GQreAuS OI &Olu 1u W6ayAnR fresh lauFels tonight to our fallen heroes shall follow the thoughts of the sacred
 writer. They, indeed, waxed valiant in fight and turned to flight the armies of the aliens, Honor to the fallen heroes is my theme. Comrades of the Grand Army of the Repub- lie, am not insensible to the compliment of your presence to night to sound with mo the praises of these heroes. Every year 1t be- comes @ more sacred service. The heart Of the country is loypl to you. Gratitude may seem to slumber during the grinding duties of daily fife. but the return of Decoration day wakes to life again the dormant flame, The people that could forget, or but psrsimoniously honor, the. services of the citizen soldiers by whose valoI and martyrdom peace and prosperity abound, and the name of American citizen is a greater honor than ever before; the people that could do this would be unworthy of their heritage. This audience is here not to hear me, but to pay respect to the memory of the soldiers They deserve all honor. When the Brooklyn bridge committee made 8 rule that no man who was physically disabled should be an employe on the bridge. an exi ception was made in favor of old soldiers. I verify believe that there was no other body of men in the city of Brooklyn to whom such honor would be paid. Comrades, you have glory which none can ever share. You are the only body
 
 When the old soldiers shall die none can fill their decimated ranks. We are well occu- pied in celebrating the deeds of fallen heroes. But no mortal orator can adequately voice the sentiments of the hour. Who can con- pass the roar of old oceans depths? No more can human voice measure the grandeur of freedom. No more can human voice utter the glory of a continental republic. Our loftiest honor. our higher eloquence are but weak, and patriotism that is in those silent graves is not yet dead. Our flag with it's cleaning stars on their field of azure blue yet waves. That flag means more on a soldiers grave than any ora tors voice could ever tell We can bring our roses and lilies. our violets and pansies to leave on the graves of our pat riot dead but we carry away the sweet fra grance of their noble deeds. On Memorial day all the past is real again. You hear old voices again beside the camp fre once more bugles are sounded and the command passes down the line, once more you hear the whistle of bullets, the crash of battle and the shout of victory. And these victories have proved blessing to both North and South The southern States are more advanced among the nations by their defeat. The day of peace has triumphed, and for It's blessings we owe gratitude to our citizen soldiers gratitude and love to the living, honor and reverence to the dead; and to the widows and orphans a larger hberality. It was in the dark and gloomy shades of ChanceIIorsviIle that the unconquered StonewalI Jackson with 20 900 men had sur prised General Howard. The batteries were not in position It was terrible moment s.Oh, GodI for ten minutes, sAexelaimed Gen. eral Pleasanton. Keenan sfood near with 300 men. They must check 20, 900. Oh! what sight was theret Would that some American Ten nyson would immortalize it! No one had blundered. but some must die to save the army. The whole battery died with their feet in the stirrups. But not in vain. When Jackson broke through he was met by such 9. storm of shell as no one Hesh and blood. could stand. Keenan and his men had csr-s ried their deeds up to the climax of martial glory. 2ss sgf That glory shah mt cease
 Nor their fame be qusnehed by the light of peace"
 And thus we honor them on Decoration day, and we shall sing their requiem while the country stands"