Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-09-07

suggest that there is due to these
who suffered for us, if they conduct
themselves like men, respect which
no loyal citizen can, or will ignore.
Our children are looking on, and
they are learning from our treatmen
of these veterans, what estimate their
fathers place upon that service by
which our country was preserved. If
we would have true patriotism take
root and grow in the hearts of our
young men, let them see that we
honor those, who bore for us, and for
them the perils of the fight, the long
exposure TO the death bearing atmos-
pherc of Southern swamps, the hOr-
rors of the prison pens, and who are
still bearing wounds, diseases and
pains untold, consequent upon the
hardships of tho sc four years.
When we who are gray-haired wee
boys, we were taught to respect the
aged and the infrm, and to lend a
helping hand to the feble and sick
and destitute, but | am afraid the
lads of our time have, not been very
carefully instructed in this direction,
at least the rudenesS and lmpudence
too often seen among them, do not
indicate very faithful home training.
In this matter, we fathers and moth
ers are blame-worthy, and if we do
not suffer for our folly, it will be
very strange. When our boys are
disrcspectful to us, let us remember,
we are reaping just what we have
sown, and / do plead with you
Younger men, whose children are yet
within your control, let your manage
ment of your households be better
than ours has been. Teach your chill
dren to respect those who are older,
and wiser, and especially do | urge
upon you, teach your children to
honor the gray-haired, broken old
men who once bled for them, and
while they enjoy the fruits of that
long struggle, teach them gratitude
to those by whose labor and blood
and treasure were purchased, the good
things they enjoy.
Boys. Don't ignore, nor despisc
the old soldier. To be sure, he can
take care of himself now, but in a
little time he will be dependent. BE
patient with his garrulous old age
let him tell his stories over, anC
when he shoulders his crutch anG
shows how fields were won don't
laugh at him, but recall the fact, he
left that leg at Gettysburgh, that
arm was shot away at Corinth, and
he was manned and crippled for you
that you, boys, might enjoy the liber
ties of this fair land. Will some o.
YOU say: The old soldiers don't ash
nor need any such plea as this, 70,
they are yet vigorous and abundantly
able to keep up with the column o
life. True, and | am glad so man,
Of them are hale and hearty, but ouI
young folks are being educated, anC
| would have them begin in season
to honor those TO whom honor is due
Don't get the idea, young folks, tina
the men who wore the shouldc
straps did all the fighting, nor tina
all the heroes were commissioned
There is an unwritten history of tina
four years war, which, could it b
written, would bring to the from
many a name which never found it
way into the newspapers, and wa
never mentioned in orders among
| those who were distinguished 70
gallantry The best and bravest wer
2 not always brevetted, and if the tru
! story of that long agony could b
told, "many" that are now "firs
e would be last and the last first"
Let me read just here from a slil
t cut from an old newspaper. 1t i
only straw, but it shows just a Iii
, tie, which way the wind blows.
G At the last meeting Of the post tn
p following resolutions. which are self eN
planatory. were adopted:
. WHEREAS. More than 20 years hay
r elapsed since the war of the rebellion
and
WHEREAS. The suffering and deeds O
the soldiers of the Union seem to b
| rapidly fading from the memory Of tn
people of this nation.
RcSolrod, That we express our Pre-
3, found respect and gratitude TO the ladie