The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-06-02
THE DAY AT uRs1SA.

The dav was generally observed here; ous-
mess was suspended. Promptly at 10
O'Clock, q. III. Ross Rush Post. No. SOL. G..
A. r. assembled Mt their headquarters, to-
gether with Jesse Dial Camp, No. 30, S. w.,
and after short exercises. they formed into
line and m~arshalled by Comrade Col. E. ID.
Yutzy, marched to the NJ. E. Church. where
public exercises were had. Short addresses
were delivered by Prof. J. NJ. Berkey, J. L..
Pugh, Esq, IL. Miller, l.. C. Colborn, and
F. W. Biesecker, Esqs. After the exercises
at the church the procession formed and
marched to the Post room where further ex-
~ereises were had. together with firing the sa-
lutte. The day was a beautiful one and a
large number of people were in attendance
at the services.
The following address was delivered by
]. L. P1gh, Esq:
Comrades and Friends:
Time, which meets all its engagements,
has again brought US to that season of the
year when, with common consent, we turn
aside from the daily routine of business to
plN4IA Az OaNA IA4At DsOpAA4 II " SHAtAlSf
and TO strew them upon the graves of our
dead comrades. No day is too sacred, nor
hour too holy for paying this last tribute of
respect TO those who fell in the hour of
their country's greatest peril, fighting for
her liberties. Tomorrow might have been
very properly observed in performing these
sad exercises, had not our Department Com
mander ordered it otherwise.
In the beautiful country of France,
throughout the raral districts, at least, they
have what is called The day of the dead, 4"
devoted to keeping their graves green, and
consecrating tina day unto their dead
friends. 1t comes, l believe, on the second
day of November of each year. In our
country the day of our dead is now our
Memorial Day. 1t is now in its eighteenth
anniversary. and each succeeding year 1t is
more widely honored, respected and observ-
ed, which is a testimonial more eloquent
than all the monuments of brass and gran
tie of this nations enduring gratitude to the
brave men who rescued the Union from the
bloody hands of treason, and made liberty
forever possible to all under the hallowed
and glorious flag OF our forefathers.
The desire that our last resting place
should be sacred and kept green, is common
forgotten. The prayer of one of old was,
That l may die in mine own city and be
buried by the grave ofmy father and of my
mother" The season, the occasion, the
day, the hour, are fraught with memories
and recollections which help to make this
day what it should be, sacred 10 the memo
~ OF our fallen heroes, and IS in ooedienc e
to the text, And this day shall be unto
you for a memorial Il isa memorial of the
long and terrible conflict, and of the final
triumph of right over wrong when the
shackles were AIKEN from over foa millions
of human beings, and made them free and
independent American citizens. and gave Us
a united, prosperous and happy country.
The endurance and patriotism of these he
roic dead for whom we this day mourn.
whose graves We wish TO keep green, and
whose deeds we desire to keep fresh in our
memory, was unfinehing and answering.
If there is one word which is more endear-
ed to the American soldier Thar any other
word, 1t is Patriotism. 1t stirs the heart and
mind with fire and a love of country, and
the hope of free and good government. 1t
is written in the history Of Greece, on the
pages of Thermopyle and Athens. the Swiss
Republic, the Cuban struggle, and in u
own country. 1t has been truthfully said
by Mrs. Liyermore, There is a word sweet
er han mother. home or heaven it is lib
erty and legend makes this word the ori-
gin of our present Decoration Day. Of all
our national resources-and there are a great
many-Patriotism, Liberty. Love of Coun-
try, is the most precious. There is an old
tradition, which tells US that in days of an
Gent Rome, whilst in her ~splendor, in the
midst Of the Foruma yawning chasm sud-
denly opened, and soothsayers declared that
held most precious, could its mouth be clos
ed. While The patricians were celebrating
As to what that should be, Marcus Curtius,
a brave soldier. mounted his war-horse. and
respondent with his ~trappings, in full ar
mour, plunged into the abyss. IL closed
over ROme's ~costliest sacrifice, her best,
bravest, and noblest soldier, and man. How
many of the brave men-soldiers of the late
war. leaped into the very jaws of death that
our country might be free and independent,
and that we might enjoy its blessings.
The living have always a duty to perform
for the dead. 1t is our solemn duty not to
died. and while the living soldier-citizen
gladly performs this sad duty, we cannot be
unmindfnI of the fact that our ranks are
lessening and our number growing fewer
each year. Among the brave men who had
TO bite the dust. and answer the final roll
call since our last Memorial Day, was our
brave old commander and fcllow-comrado,
Gen. L. S. Grant. 1t will not be long before
other hands must perform this sad rite.
There is an interesting picture of an aged
patriarch leaning upon a staff, with whiten-
ed locks and Bonded form, whose sands of
life were nearly run, and whose days were
about numbered. 1t is entitled, The Last
Soldier OF the Revolutionary War The
time will come, ave, too soon when some
one will be the last soldier of the War of the
Rebellion, and while in the nature o fthings
this must come, 1t is pleasant to reflect that
the Sons Of Veterans will be here to take
the place of their sires. A band oftrue and
noble young men, into whose hands we can
safely trust the memory of our dead SOL
diers and who will always defend the prin-
ciples for which they died, and see that they
did not die in vain. / have every reason to
believe that they will always quit
themselves like men, if / may Judge
from a recent visit to Capt. James Hinch-
man Camp of our place. The graves, then,
my fellow comrades, of our dead brethren,
which you have this day strewn with flow
ers and wreathes, was a debt of gratitude,
which the living should willingly perform
for the dead. II should be done in fraterni-
ty, charity and loyalty; for has it not been
said by our Master. Greater love hath no
man than this, tnat a man lay down his
life for his friends Then,
Sacred the tears we shed.
Over the honored dead,
0fthat great time,
Shout we adown the years,
Ye who are freedoms heirs,
Guard We the ark that bears
Our hope sublime
Faith, love, and Liberty,
Trinmphan Trinity