The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-06-04
WHOLE NO. POPS.

fore they entered the volunteer service /;
with this disadvantage, however, that
they were three or four years older, with
their habits Of life formed. Time lost
cannot be regained. The older men en-
gage again in their former calling or busi-
ness relations, or adopt new ones. The
boys chose trades and went to work with
a viii and learned them. Others chose
professions and qualified themselves.
Thus the great question, what the army
would do, was settled and adjusted, 50
that the social fabric Of this great nation
did not go to pieces DO, it did not even
suffer a shock from that source. Business
revived, and for several years after the
war the nation enjoyed an unprecedented
era of prosperity. The men who chose
professions after the war, though they
did it late in life, have succeeded beyond
expectation.
We find them on the bench, at the bar,
presidents Of colleges and educators in
general, medical practitioners, and even
the pulpit has received its proportionate
share Of them.
1t is with feeling of inexpressible
satisfaction that we refer to the grand
success achieved by the late soldiers Of
the Federal army What country can
boast Of such record for her citizen
soldiers? The fact is, that such results
can be attained only when the moving
cause of men becoming soldiersjs patri-
otism. The patriotism and courage that
gave them victory on the field, viii
prompt them to noble achievements in
the pursuits Of civil life.
There is no class Of men in whom the
Cody trait Of character is so fully de-
yeloped as in the late soldier-I refer to
charity. They who shared their last
cracker on the march and drank from
the same canteen have not abandoned
the noble principles which they were
practically taught and learned through
the force Of circumstances.
All these schools Of adversities have
their advantages. Noble traits Of charac-
ter we're there developed and practiced
with such unselfsb devotion that in
many instances it led to self-sacrifce. In
an engagement at Dingle's Mill, near
Sumptervillc, 5. C., soldier was wound
ed within thirty yards Of the enemy's /
guns, where he had ad dyanced TO do some |
sharpshooting. Two men, without or
ders, during a hot musketry fire and |
while canister was flying thick and fast, /
advanced across a burning stringer of a |
destroyed bridge, and brought their /
wounded comrade safely to the rear and /
placed him into an ambulance. Here
duty usurped the throne Of reason, and /
the instincts Of the soldier overcame the
FIRST law Of our being, which is self /
preservation. Men educated under such !
influences, by such stern teachers, cannot !
become small-minded, clownish and /
cynical in their conduct with their fel-
lows in every day life.
We think a fair and indiscriminate
calculation will show that service in the !
army did not make men worse, as a rule. |
Comrades, the work of the battlefield is
done and our record stands for inspection
by our countrymen and for the last !
twenty-five years we have been engaged !
in another struggle-in the battle Of life. |
Old Father Time can not be outgener-
aled ; no flank movement can evade his
attack his blows are felt and the scars
are seen upon US all. Some heads are
becoming silvered o'eE and our step is
not so elastic as in former years. No
doubt the next decade will make strong
er inroads into our ranks than the last |
quarter Of a century has done.
This one question must be settled by
each comrade indiyidually-How will !
stand the record when the time for mus
ter out comes, and we receive our final
discharge?
This question intelligent men should /
settle in a satisfactory manner to them |
selves. We all desire Immortality, and |
in fact we all expect it in that land that /
is yet unexplored by us. May we all be-
come interested in gathering all the in
formation We can about that country, |
whittier We are all fast Fastening, so that |
We may become qualified for citizenship /
in that better country, where the sound /
Of war is never heard. Comrades, let us /
move steadily forward in the discharge /
of our duties, emulating the good, and /
discountenancing the evil, so that at last
we may hear the approving sentence,
well done, good and faithful servant,
enter into the joys of thy Lord