The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-06-19

ferings, their sacrifices, and the noble
ness of their characters, when they
have purchased for us home, country,
In view of what they sur
fercd, and what they have done, are
they in danger of becoming too popu-
lar?
BY being held as popular does not
necessarily qualify them for holding
the offices Of state, nor imply that this
is an evidence Of popularity.
Being qualified for Office has come to
mean being almost or wholly unknown.
If he have wide spread record for
craftsmanship, character unsullied
from brides, noted for the purity of
his principles, this is Il sufficient reason
why he should not be held up as the
representative of the people.
Nevertheless he is the popular man.
He has influence and power, and his
name is to be held in remembrance
when his voice has ceased on earth.
So we can revere the memory of
those who fought our battles; we can
exalt their noble acts, and scorn those
who would steal away their hardearned
laurels.
| What we fear most is that we shall
forget to be proud of the manhood dis
played by our soldiery; that we shall
forget the rights and dignity of victory
which perched upon their banners. We
have no objections to extending to
those who were in rebellion the hand of
fellowship, showing that we forgive
heartily the pehitent. But we have de-
cided objections against the apologists,
so abundant in these days, who are
making so many apologies for the con
| duct of the war. Hardly had the guns
ceased ,heir firing on the AppomatoX
before forgiveness was being extended
and urged, before they had asked, much
less desired, to be forgiven. Sucl
, gush of sentiment gave them to under,
stand that they had never done any
thing that needed forgiveness. Nay
more, it looked to them as a kind Of
clandestine acknowledgement that then
principles of state rights were right
that slavery was divine institution OF
. sufficient importance to form the corner
stone of christian government.
Overpowered by numbers they yield
ed. Twas matter of necessity viii
!. them, and so making necessity the bet
ter part oEvalor, they yielded.
While we barely remember to homo
: our soldiery, they almost defy theirs.
They look upon theirs as the clos
: cause" do not regard their future o
God against unrighteousness and injus
. tice. Many thoughtful patriot wa
led to ask the question almost as sool
f as he had reached his home, "for wha
l. have fought these bloody battles
G what mean these empty sleeves and foot
a less boots? Why this shattered bod
IL and broken health? If the sentiment
st uttered by so many be true, then he ha
d warred for nought, suffered in vain
and ought to be humbled before tn
IS world.
,s The fact is that the multitudes i
Il their haste to forget the past have fol
N gotten the principles for which our nc
" BILE heroes fought and bled.
# Said certain writer, heard a youn
G lady of seventeen summers, who's
6. father was manned in the war of tn
o. rebellion, "For my part, am sure
:, can't see why the North ever made wa
e upon the South at all There stoo
e the father, with empty sleeve, his cheek
h blushing with shame that his own chill
~ should thus indirectly charge him q
:. agressor upon the rights of the peace
r. full and innocent.
oos We believe it to be your special dut.
&c members of the Grand Army, to kee
% before the minds of the people the rel
a son why you fought, the reasons VIII
N your comrades so cheerfully gave Il
their lives upon the battle fields, in IL
hospitals, or starved in rebel prisons.
W. This duty you owe to those who's
at graves YOU decorate to-day, to tho'
Is whose bodies lie in the far South; man
w. whose head-stonps are marked ''ul
. known" and yet they were soldier
I'll somebody's loved ones. This duty yc
owe to yourselves, to your children,
coming generations. Let your cam
~ fires ring with your songs of "Jol
o. Brown '!Dixie,' ''Tramp, Tramp
n and the ''Battle Cry for Freedom" lie
he you be shorn of your brightest laurel
and posterity fail to see the rich inhe
81 itance you left them in the pricele
u liberty purchased SO dearly.
Id These principles are of more vail
rel than farms, merchandise or treasure
St wealth. They are an Inheritance whit
he shall descend with the generations
he the remotest ages of the world, purif
m. ing, and enobling, and elevating, ca
tie ing upon them loudly to emulate the
of virtues and guard these principl
ill which underlie the government, loviI
nd liberty and hating oppression.
his To you whose bravery none dare
I'd doubt, it specially belongs TO demai
N of all that treason shall not be CALI
er patriotism, that rebellion against 4
be noblest government the sun shines II
by Oh shall not be nursed and petted iii
no the spoiled child.
ii. To you it specially belongs to keep the III
We of patriotism burning upon the home alta
rs. in your towns. state and country. Design
he politicians would have sold you while BATH
los for your country's freedom, and while breal
at ing in the deadly miasma of the Chickaho
% my, and there are those selfish and ba
~. enough to undo al that you have. done. ST.
matize your honors, burn your SCARED b;
va tie flags, and deface if possible all the recor