The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-06-07
. SYNOPSIS
or Memorial Address Delivered ut
Sugartree Ridge by II. d.
Davis, Esq.

Published by the request OF large
number of the citizens of Sugartree
Ridge and vicinity.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the
Grand army of The Republic Twenty
two years ago that noble soldier, John
A. Logan, Commander.in.chief of your
organization, instituted the observance
OF the 30th day Of May as day in which
we. as people, might from ocean to
ocean and lakes to gulf meet and do
honor to the sleeping dead who fell that
we might live in peace and happiness.
The 30th day of May has become day
round which shines halo, radiant and
pure, to which we bow in humble rev.
erence, and the whole world looks upon
its observance in wonder and admira-
ton. The day is so full of hallowing
Influences, patriotic impulse and inspir-
alton. In most every city, town and
hamlet in these United States people of
all classes are assembled for the same
purpose-to pay tribute to the fallen
brave.
The observance of this day is becom-
ing more and more sacred as the years
go by. In 1883 there has been the
greatest preparations made for Memorial
Day ever known in our country's his
tory. Every known grave where sleeps
hero who fell for home and principle,
will be bedewed with tears and decked
with beautiful flowers by those who still
cherish their memory. With each sue
ceeding year the patriot dead are grow
ing more precious, and as the country
they laid down their lives to save grows
and expands under the victory OF free
dom they contributed 80 much to secure,
the extent of their sacrifices is more ap-
preciated and more generally remember
ed. Since we last performed such duty
thousands of the veterans who marched
to the music of the Union, have laid
down in the windowless palace of rest to
wait for the last reveille to summon
them before the Great Commander. So
numerous have these graves of the hon.
ored dead become that the sightless oc-
cupants can almost touch elbows, and
with each succeeding year many names
are added to the roll ofloyal menwho low
ed their country more than their lives.
They who fell are to-day in Beulah land,
and their comrades on this side OF the
river that divides the seen from the un-
seen, can only say, "Adieu, we will meet
again after life's campaign"
So let the people who yet remain and
enjoy the benign blessings of reunited
country still hold in grateful remem-
brance the troopers who, with faces
turned toward the South, never came
back, or who died OF disease after the
banners of rebellion had been furled.
They were race of giants. Let the
flowers that tell OF the wealth OF love and
affection that still expanding in our
hearts for their sacrifices, be strewn by
kindly hands over the low hillocks that
dot the land everywhere; let the mutiled
drums beat in union with the universal
sorrow let the flags, flying at half mast,
speak our grief that is too sacred for
word OF mouth, and the sullen firing of
the cannon roll out the peans OF praise
for what they have accomplished.
Twenty.three years have passed since
Appomattox. Twenty-three centuries
will not witness the death of the idea
that triumphed when Lee handed his
sword to General Grant. The loyal line
OF blue will soon have faded away into
the grave, the trappings of war rusted
and useless, the historic days OF 81 and
'65 be but memory with no single sur
vivor to tell how fields were won, but
the lessons taught in the hard school of
battle will not perish. Like the princi-
pies that triumphed when the lance OF
Confederacy was shattered and its shield
broken, they are immortal.
There are few who speak disrespect-
fully of the observance OF this day and
OF the old soldiers. OF what kind Of
stuff can such individuals be made
They are certainly void OF all the finer
feelings that belong to most men. Can
any one, who is lover OF home and ma
tive land, look about over our country
teeming with prosperity in every de-
partment OF business and not say that he
is proud that he is an American? We
are second to no other nation on the
globe in wealth. As to universal educa-
ton, first. There is no nation that has
a form OF government equal TO ours. Lib
erty OF speech and freedom of the press
has made our country honored and low
ed. Whence came all this? Let ns take
a Retrospective view along the different
avenues Of industry and see the condi-
tion in 'Gl. Our business interests were
wrecked. Dlscord and disunion reigned
from North 70 South. Armed treason