The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-07
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A HOLY WAR.

a HOLY WAR.
In his speech on Decoration Day, at Ed
wardsviIle, Ill, General Sherman said: 'Since
the creation of earth, since men have estab-
lished systems of government, there has never
been holier war than the one fought from
'6l to '65." An honest sentiment, fifty spoken.
1t was proper in the man and the occasion to
say this thing. There be those who depre
cate such candor-men who would
hide and dishonor the laurel of
patriotism lest it offend those
who scorned to wear it. 1t has come to such
a pass that there are thousands of men who
took no part in the Rebellion, and many Of
whom had no sympathy for it, who raise their
hands and hide their faces whenever loyalty is
praised or the war for the Union extolled. Out
of this craven feeling has come the contemptu-
Gus slur ''bloody shirt, term applied to all
sensitive ears of those once in rebellion. 1t
is remarkable thing that even at the grave
side of those who died that the Union might
live no orator dares utter unstinted praise Of
their heroic worth and sublime patriotism,
without inviting the sneers of such as fear to
offend the men who were instrumental in
their taking off What would the dead think
il they knew of thisg 1t never entered their
minds and hearts that the day would come so
soon when it would be reproach to laud 10y
atty over loyalty's dead. The men who fell
on any battlefield from Belmont to Appomat-
tox felt as Sherman feels: that no hoier
war had ever been fought. They were in
spired by the belief that the cause of the
Union was the cause of humanity; that the
preservation of the Union was the best guar
anty of peace to those who should follow
them. They fought in this belief, and died
confident that the oncoming generations
would not be unmindful of them. The
thought that the war was holy one was their
Inspiration; that knowledge was their only
compensation. Yet it was enough. It's APP
peal found them by the side of
peaceful fires, surrounded by those whose
Life. prosperity, pleasure and peace were
their environment. No allurement was suffi-
Gent to draw them from their quiet ways.
Then came war, and rebellion leaped at the
throat of the Nation. The struggle between
love and duty then began; the country's cry
for help was answered-we all know how.
With reverential feelings, we all realize
that the sacrifice was the hottest that
could be made. 1t has been said
of old, Greater love hath no man
than this, that man lay down his life for his
friend" This was the love of our beloved
dead. Their eulogy was pronounced centuries
before this Nation was born. Their deeds are
our heritage of glory, their memory our
treasure house.
% Let us revere them;
They are ours only"
It is peculiarly fitting that the duty of prop
into our Sunday thoughts, for the bitterness
that was once in loyal hearts is there no longer.
w, loved them while living. 1t is left to us now
to venerate their hallowed fame. We can do
this only by honoring the deeds that they
performed. We are unworthy heirs of their
valor and patriotism if we fail to perpetuate
the noble heritage that they bestowed. 1t is
ours to tell their story and to engrave it upon
the hearts of little ones, so that patriotism
shall be perpetuated in the land, and
the living bulwarks of the Nation be kept
intact. There is no bitterness in the feeling
that impels loyalty to eulogize the deeds of
the loyal dead There is no bitterness new
towards the men who stood in line in defense
of rebellion. Al, such who have come back
into the Union they once despised are well
coined in fraternal fellowship. But while
this is true, it remains of record that they
= aEere wrong and we were right during the
days Of the war. Those who now
love the Union, whatever their senti-
ments from 1861 to 1865, know that rebellion
was an awful crime and blunder. Such as
have come back from it resolved to discharge
every patriotic duty to the Nation have found
unqualified welcome. Such as have not, and