The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-06-11

place OF civilian, soldier, general President
worldwide traveller and historian. These
places always command our respect
and challenge our admiration, because
they are worthy places and living parts Of
our active society. And those who fil.
them wisely and well in the performance
of duty, must be respected while living
and honored in death.
Invited here by the members of the G.
A. r., to scatter flowers on the graves of
those who took an active part in our
country's service, our attention is naturally
directed toward the occupation and life Of
the soldier Very few in the civil walks
of life really understand what the word
soldier" comprehends. We cannot, in
our quiet homes, realize the fearful, the
terrible nature of war. 1t means some.
thing more than the peculiar cut, style and
form of dress, of fiery show and gaudy
appearance. Something more than Gov
ernment employ. expenses paid, ratons
and bounties of money and land, or pen
things, while others fail to receive them.
While many never need them or obtain
only such as we bring 10 day, grave
strewn with flowers The soldier is a man
whose profession and practical business is
war. One who has his name in the service
of his government 10 become the iron
armed defence of the Nation. He is to stand
as the steel clad guard of all her rights. lib.
critics, interests and honor, her homes, fam
lilies and social privileges. He is one au-
thorized in the spirit and name of patriot
ism, by the highest court of the land, and
consent of the people, to gather up, call in,
combine and use all the forces, elements
and substances at the Nations command
for the defeat, the overthrow and destruc-
ton of the Nations enemy. He is man
who voluntarily gives up the pursuits of
civil business and all the quiet blessings
of home. One who relinquishes his social
claims upon the entertainments, enioy.
ments and luxuries of peaceful occupations,
for the hard, rough engagements, laborious
tasks, many cares and heavy duties of war.
His rest is camp life. His stirring pleas.
ure the clash of arms, the march, the
camp, the battlefield, all occupy his mind
and he often wonders, between hope and
fear, whether he will endure as q good
soldier.
The soldiers home is the domain of the
country. His work and life is for the
Nation. His family relations are yours
and mine for care and protection, should
he fall in the service. 1t is befitting that
his grave should belong to the Nation, and
his memory be cherished by grateful
people as a part of the Nations honored
heritage.
The soldiermust be under strict discipline
of rules belonging alone to the military
department. This gives training and fitness
for service which will insure success with
out the studious drill service to instruct in
the use of arms and equipments, showing
him the peculiar form and principles how,
when and where 10 strike, that his blow
might be most effective, the soldier would
make but poor show when called into active
service. Here was a great difficulty en-
countered at the commencement of the
war in '61. The beginning brought to-.
gether the undisciplined host. The four
years of active service, gave us the exper.
fenced and we'll schooled army of veterans
so that the closing days of the war, found
us with men far better qualified for sci :.
vice.
Members of the G. A. r.: If in addition
to your relief work of benevolent assistance
to INDECENT soldiers, comrades, their wild
ows and orphans. The improvement of
your social natures by the rehearsal of
worthy deeds of the past and guarding
sacredy the memory of departed ones. If
you shall keep alive the we'll disciplined
spirit of devotion TO your country, your
organization of 1856 posts and nearly 3d..
900 members in this state alone, has not
been, is not and will not be in vain.
We know that the soldier must be q man
of uncommon patience, perseverance and
strength of endurance, morally and physi.
cally. These alone will prepare him for
the many trials and severe difficulties he
has to encounter The long and tedious
marches, evils of camp life, short rations,
wounds, sickness. bad tempered officers,
hard work in excessive heat and cold, are
parts incident upon his profession.
The safety, liberty and honor Of Nation
in war times does not come, save through
tolls, struggles, patience perseverance,
courage, strength and flowing blood of her
soldiers. These are some of the many
things implied in the soldiers life, work
and experience. Yet the reality of active
service, will ever far exceed in suffering
and wasting power all ourmost extravagant
ideas of theory. The sad side of the battle
field and the studied fiendish treatment of
prisoners, 60 too far down the scale of suf-
fering, touching such deep tones of sorrow
al. l.. foH.