Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-05-28
yhE essex County Aerala.
ISLAND POND, MAY %, 1880.
MEMORIAL DAY,

MEMORIAL DAY,
or Decoration Day, is the newest of
our National holidays, but it is
founded upon memories most dear
and sacred to the hearts of the peo-
pie of America, and hence its OBJ.
servance increases among all classes
rather than decreases. And there
is every reason why this should be
so. 1t is meet that the Nation
should revere the memories of those
who died that it might live. 1t is
fitting that business shall be sus-
pended, the wheels of industry
stand still, and the people of the re-
stored Union pause in the race for
fame, for wealth, for happiness, and
do honor to the dead heroes, who
fell that we, and our children to the
latest generation, might live in 4
free land, with liberty a reality in
stead of political fiction, and with
freedom qnd equality guaranteed to
all its people.
1t is not surprising then, that the
observance of Memorial Day should
become more and more oen.
eral as the years roll by, as the
grass grows higher above the slum-
bering but not forgotten dead, as
the touch of ceaseless time silvers
the hair and wrinkles the checks of
those who fought the battles of the
Union in the flower Of their man.
hood and strength 1t is fitting
that the sacred spirit of Memorial
Day should wax stronger as the
years of the rebellion are left be-
hind. 1t is holiday which every
patriotic citizen should be willing
TO celebrate, even if 1t causes slight
trouble and expense. The boys of
the Grand Army, to whom the day
peculiarly belongs, will be among
MS not many years more, and the OBJ
Aervance of Memorial Day should
not be allowed to die with them. It's
recognition should be as complete as
that Of the Fourth of July, which
has for so many years been the CHIEF
secular holiday of the American
people, and its observance should
not be allowed to degenerate into
the characteristics of the older holi
day. For it's memories are fresher
its shadows still darken the heart.
of many yet living, and it is found
ed upon achievements most sacred
and dear to the patriotic heart.
1t is to be hoped that every city
town, and every hamlet will join il
the observance of Memorial Day by
appropriate ceremonies. The beau
tiful custom of decorating will
flowers the graves of the fallen ones
should not be forgotten, nor should
the tender and patriotic eulogies
breathed from full hearts and quiv
ering lips. With the reflections oil
the veterans, the wives and mothers
sons and daughters, sisters and
brothers of those who have fallen
will be joined the deep impression
upoE the hearts of the present gene.
ration, to whom the past of twenty
years ago is but garnered history
The boy can gather no better lesson
in patriotism than in the sight of q
great Nation doing reverent honor
to its dead soldier heroes. He can
not realize, as do the gray-haired
men and women about him, the full
significance of the scenes of Memo
rial Day, but his pulse beats higher
as he gazes upon them, and seed is
planted in his heart that cannot fai
of bearing good fruit In the future
when he may be called upon to as
sist in preserving government Of
liberty as his fathers were before
him, and he feels that to die as they
did were an honor proud indeed.
Then let the people of the United
States make the coming Memoria
Day more generally observed thar
any other has been. Let young ant
old join in universal commentator
of the day which is perhaps dearest
to the hearts of the American PEG
pie of all the national and secular
holidays.
Heroic and Pathetic.