The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-06-04


Sumpter was bombarded and the
startling news was flashed over IN
land and across the Old World. Il
Memorial Day Is reminder. 10 him
that 4oo, 900 brave men fell In defence
Of the old flag and over s.soo.ooo
soldiers were enrolled in the Union
Army. The day therefore has A Ian.
guage Of It's own. Ii is lust recog.
milton Of the soldiers yalor. lovaltv
and patriotic devotion. lie was
loyal when IL cost something 10 be
loyal; and the mound that covers his
dust is worthy OF being decorated
with the richest floral wealth OF nature.
Then this Memorial Day teaches
us that our present glory as a nation
is due to the soldiers struggle. Had
We failed in this struggles a death
blow would have been given 10 this
free Republic. Slavery would have
triumphed and a free government
would have been a failure. The mon.
arches OF the Old World said this
Republic was but "rope OF sand"
an "airy fabric" and could not stand
the shock Of civil war. The soldiers
demonstrated the possibility Of our
strength. And what we have as a
Tree government, aud n restored union
what we have as peace and prosperity,
is due TO the fact that our soldier died
to secure all this to us.
Then this Memorial Day is a Just
recognition Of the worth Of the com.
mon soldier. In other countries the
private soldier Is not considered OF
much account. Gen. Grant says the
soldiers of European armies are mere
machines. They do no, compare in
point of intelligence 10 our own.
What place has the common soldier
IN the armies of Caesar, Hannibal,
Alexander or Nebuchadnczzar? The
oihcer Is man of note, but the pri.
vaie soldier is no, eulogized or non.
ored with pos. mortem glory.
Memorial Day teaches US q Lesson
OF patriotism. And this lesson should
be taught if we expect TO have pati
otic people-it should be taught when
we remember how the red flag Of the
socialist and communist has Of late
Hung itself before our eyes. We need
to teach our children that such dis.
play of hate and defiance is an insul,
TO our own flag. Yes we need TO
teach this generation that our liberty
has cost great debt and that to de-
fend our aag the best men Of the na.
ton have fallen.
Michigan contributed over 90, 900
soldiers to the arwy, and Shiawassee
county some 1883. About $1,000
soldiers fell in defence OF the old flag.
Let us gather about their graves to
morrow and adorn them with our
most beautiful and fragrant flowers.
Can we forget them the true aud the brave,
Who died for their Has aud their country tn save
Who gave up their all. for freedom and God,
And bapiised the soil with theirpatrioi blood.
Can we forget them, the men who set free
Four million Of souls In captivity,
Who wiped from the earth hidcous crime,
And made the enslayed man for all time.
Can we forget such deeds In q day,
And Sparta recall and Thermopylr;
Remember the fate OF dark Waterloo,
And laud our sires who the tyrant o'erthrcw.
When we forget them, then let the bright sun.
Refuse In his glorious circuit orun,
And the stars from their dome Of heavenly blue.
Cease TO look down on race so untrue.
We will not forget thcin not while shall bloom
Sweet flowers, with which 10 garland their tomb.
AS long rs the land Is washed by the sea,
Thus long will they live In fond memory.