The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-30
TWELVE PAGES.
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THE DAYS MEANING.

every State, far and near where soldiers Of
the Union OF their children dwell come offer
ings of choicest flowers to lay upon the grave
of General Grant. From every city and ham,
lie buried-and where is the graveyard whose
sod covers none of these9-from every direc-
ton comes the report that stronger interest is
being manifested In Decoration Day, and
greater preparations made for the occasion
than for years past. These tributes to General
Grants memory are spontaneous offer
ing No man has solicited the gift
of a blossom wherewith to deco
rate that lonely tomb, and yet the floral
wealth of a continent is poured out before 1t.
No effort has been made to arouse sentiment
and induce more general participation in cere-
monies that have taken on something of a
perfunctory character in later years How,
then, account for the revived disposition in
this year of our Lord to do visible honor to
the dead who gave their lives that the coun-
try might live9 It is not that their graves
have been neglected before, for tears have
watered them and garlands have adorned them
season after season since the heroes were laid
low. Is not this general movement to be re-
garded as silent but sharply significant pro-
test against certain things which have &C.
Cured, and are Occurring daily, of nature to
bring the dead and living soldiers Of the
Union into dishonor and disrepute9
1t is twenty-five years since the FIRST volun-
teers went forth from their homes to defend
their country against rebellious and traitorous
conspirators who would destroy it. It is over
twenty years since those who survived the
horrors of battle, and disease, and prison-p
came home crowned with victory. It was a
triumph at the cost Of life, wealth of glo-
rious and aspiring young life, as in the history
of the world had never been freely offered be-
fore for any cause. Yet, since it was victory
of right and liberty over treachery, and op-
preston, and cruel wrong, the sacrifice was
not deemed too great There was a broken
heart for each one of the hundreds Of thou
sands of men whose life blood was shed by
rebel ball; but the stricken ones bore their
woes uncomplainingly. The veterans bound
up their wounds and went about the ordinary
yocations of life again. The country in the
meantime, with desire to show its gratitude
gave need of praise and chaplets of flowers
to the dead-all the honors that are possible
to those whom death has crowned-and to the
living such recompense and acknowledgment
Of their services as lay in its power. Loyalty
and patriotism were recognized as virtues
then. The man who had given his life for
their sake was held as one to be remembered
with reverence, and he who bore scars as
were such generous victors to a fallen foe.
Over the rivers of blood, shed because of their
iniquity, the hand holding pardon and the
offer of fellowship were stretched out The
foe was not wise enough nor great enough to
accept either in the spirit in which it was ten
aered. From the moment in which they
sullenly acknowledged defeat they have
not ceased to presume upon and
take advantage Of the clemency OF
their conquerors. The latter, with the same
magnanimous spirit that suggested amnesty,
forebore reproof and overlooked their en-
croachments. Now they are reaping the con-
sequences of what some of the best statesmen
esteemed ill-judged lenience But one gen.
Grafton has gone by, and in the highest Office
of the Nation is a man who, while the wal
was in progress, did not ally himself with the
friends of his country. About him, in the
chief Offices of the government, he has gath
cred ex-confederats leaders and rebel sympa-
thizers. In every department of public
service Union soldiers are pushed aside
to make room for men who sought
to destroy the Union, or for the friends of
such. AS if this were not enough the "vic-
torious North" has seen that arch traitor.
Jefferson Davis come out of his retreat and
faunt himself in the face Of the world as a
martyr to a cause which, if he is to be be-
lieved, is under only temporary eclipse The
North, which fought and bled that he and
such as he, might be forever suppressed, has
seen this chief rebel followed after and fat
tered by tumultuous crowds, and the rebel
flag waved triumphantly over him. These
things, and such as these, have had their
effect. The Union soldier is not to be cast
out and insulted by the element temporarily
in power without rousing the patriotic sem
timent which exists In every loyal
breast. It is the ill-treatment the veteran