Arizona weekly citizen., 1885-06-06
aFrateru,ty. Obarity and Loyalty" which

1 sweet flowers streWn by gentle bands.
 No class of citizens is more deserving of the Nations respect than the men who, when danger threatened the unity of the States, abandoned peaceful pur- suits and happy homes and bravely faced the dangers that beset the sol dIer's life. None are more worthy the confidence of the country than those who suffered the deprivations of the dreary march over desert wastes; who endur. the fatigues of tortuous noun tsIn journeys, and encountered the dan ! gers of the lonely cahon, where the | bloodthIrsty Apache lurkei in ambush, s blighting obstacle in the path of pro- gress. The exploits of all who thus served their country deserve to be re- corded upon the same historic pages that commemorate the heroic deeds of the soldier who engaged ID battle above the clouds, or participated m other com bats, the most terrific of modern times: those desperate, awful struggles of a nation divided against itself. As all efforts were combined for the accom- phshment of one great purpose. 90 should each separate endeavor receive its full share of credit Tn the grand re- suit.
 
 !, triotlc band which upheld the honor of the Nation Tn this section during the dark days of Rebellion, and who carried the flag of the Union Tn triumph from the Pacific to the Rio Grande. rendered u service no less important in is way than that performed by the majestic armies. whose amazing provess conquer ed all opposing force. and established l laa of Ina aF United States.
 History records no instance of sub stantlal progress worthy, m any re- sDect, to be com pared to that which has been made ID the United States within the last two decades. In contemplating the remarkable Gd- vancement which has taken place in this country since the close of the war, only twenty years ago, the mind becomes brwlldered Us, one after En- other. the great achievements crowd upon 1t, and, unable fully to compre hend the wonderful events, seems al- most disposed to regard them as fabu- lous; Hs too strange tO be realities. But doubt finds no encouragement. and Is soOn dispelled. All that appears Is real and abiding; and for all that they have, for every thing that they enjoy. the peo- pie of the United Sfases should forever remember the Grand Army Of the Re pdblIc, whose sacrifices were the price of the country's prosperity and happiness; and m the complete enjoyment of peace and plenty, the Nation should not be unmindfnl of its obligations to its patri- otic defenders.
 By comparison, often times, more fh.F fnfh har u-a lfn to arrive at the importance of truth. When Americans read of the gigantic preparations which the great nations of Europe are ma ing for war, aud T, fleet upon the possible consequence of col lision between those puissant monarch les, they are horrUr-sirlcKen; aud only by contrasting rhe happy condition of their own country, with the wretched- ness of others which are disturbed aud distracted war and its arbitrary de- manJs, can they be taught ;o under stand and properly appreciate the bless ings of peace.
 From the grand and joyful contem- platIon of Nation rescued from mon- SIT Us dangers and restored to peaceful ways. our thoughts naturally and rev -renily turn to the great captain, who's,
 
 ..i .he mi hty forces that wrought our ielivergnce; aId our hearts are filled VI sorrow for the hero whose closing lays are rendered mi-erab!e by a malIg nant and iucurable disease. Now, ID this day of hIs terrible afilictIon, tn. mind of every Union soldier dwells upon ms old commander. and extends to him in his distress the sympathy of sad md devoted heart. And this noble fesling h in like manner indulged ty the host that fought on the other side. who. forgetful of the finalt triumph winch was their dep disappointment, remember General Grant as a brave and mAgnanimous slldler; and ID response 70 the expressions of regret and love which every loyal heart thIs day testows upon the Illu-trIOus man wEO accom- |
 lIshei SO much for our country, Q l grateful and admiring Nation exclaims, ] Ameni
 Let all that language can express be ] spoken in honor of the Grand Army of | he Republic. Yet there remains to be l uttered something which cannot be said I 4 the soldier, but only of the soldiers | dearest and tTurst frlends. The women | If America, brave-hearted, self-sEcrilic- lug and patriotic; how nobly, and m how many ways did they respond to the | Nations appeals for help. The devoted mother, the heroic wife, the courageous sweetheart, not only baie the father and son, the husbaBl and lover go forth ID defense of the flag. and with their love inspired each tO deeds of yalur, but. like ministerIDg angels, cared for and uursed them when sick and wounded, or, broken-hearted. gently closed their eyes when dead; and ever since, on each recurring Memorial day, they have tes- iIied their undyIng devotion to the soldiers cause by contributing beautiful flowers t. adOTn oHr heroes graves. For ,heIr heroic sscnhces for theIr noble words of cheer, for the kindly acts of 'hls day, the Grand Army of the Repub- llc prOpOunces a benedIction upon its gentle friends and benefactous.
 Others. too, have shown much respect for Memorial day and its solemn cere- mODies. The presence of fraternal so- cIeties Tn the proce- sion as 1t marched tO and from the last resting place o' our was pleasing to the eye and grateful to the heart of every member of the Grand Army of the Republic. and has helpeI to tighten the burden of their sorrow. The Select Knight. pledged to deeds of self-sacrihce, the Ancient Order of United WOrkmen hound by strongest ties of brotherhood, and our Bremen, those faithful senti- uels who constantly guard and protect our homes, have this day performed kindly acts which cannot ne forgotton; and unto each and all of them, and to the gallant "iiring party" which has sslu- ted our dead, and to the children, whose happy songs FIval the sweet notes of bIrds, the Grand Army of the Republic expresses its deep sense ot obligation and appreciation. And to the COnteder- ate soldiers who have participated m the sacred services of this day the Fed ral soldiers extend a frIen fly hand prompted by sincere heart. and the ] bond of union thus ssmbolized may be accepted as a guarantee that the Nation will never more be threatened with in- ternal stpfe. Comrades, time travels not with lead en heel, but Is AeetiDg as a summer cloud. Like a swIft-winged bird It speeds away and soon passes beyond cOntrOl, and naught remains to us save