Thomas County cat., 1890-05-29

their silent tents arc spread, there are MANY
:ad G memories that cluster round our s hearts;
on held of battle. not excepting the famous
Spartan band IN GreciaH history Who. ct tne
famous pas: at ThermopylR. with 300 men re
timated at two millions Of men.
Over the rebellious states with gallant tread
they carried the old flag of our nation in the
enemy's ramparts and there it stlli waves. and
shall continue to wave while the American
people are true tc principle and true to their
DURING THE TERRIBLE CHARGE
up Mission Ridge four soldiers were seen bear
ing back comrade on . blanket. When they
LAID ,aid their @ o; onrdsS en- down. comrade knet R Sy
your" Most up the Ridge, sir" II mean,
Sergeant, whore did the ball strike your
within twenty yards of the top, almost up.
mo; No; Sergeant, think of yourself for
moment. Tell me where you are wounded"
And turning the blanket back it was found
that his upper arm and shoulder were mashed
and mangled by the shell. Turning his eye to
look for the first time upon his wound, the
sergeant said. THAT is what did it. was hold.
ing the standard to my blouse and making for
the top. / was almost up when that ugly shell
little longer. two minutes longer, should
have planted the colors on the top. Almost
up! Almost up!!" His own regiment, raiiying
around the colors that had fallen from his
shattered arm, were even then shouting the
victory for which he had given his life, and
he was dying without the sight. This is only
one instance out of hundreds, showing the
heroism and devotion of those who were fight
for their homes and the life of the nation.
And through their devotion and heroism the
gigantic rebellion was Overthrown and the
last armed foe compelled to surrender. and a
united country given back to us, cemented by
the blood of the patriotic dead.
And now the fabric of American liberties
has settled down upon foundations, arm as
Al~< t.sIl s-IS
of peace sheds its pacific rays from north to
south. from east to west. over our entire land.
The institutions purchased fer us by the toll
and blood of our fathers-now purified by the
shock of war, as the atmosphere is purified by
the shock of the thunder storm, shall stand
forth firmer and brighter, the name Of iber-
ty, the asylum of the oppressed IN all comi ng
ages. The results of that war have settled for
ever the great question of secession and re-
beliion. 1t has removed from our nation the
foul blot of American slavery. Its poison no
longer with all its long train of evils, cursing
our civilization and corruPting our politics.
And now may we sing as did Israel upon the
banks of delverance, 'Thy right hand. o,
Lord, is become glorious in power; Thy right
hand. o, Lord, hath dashed to pieces the en-
emy."
And when we assemble in the cemeteries
and
SCATTER THE FLOWERS
of memory upon the graves of the nations
dead. let us not forget to recognize the good
of that God who has so graciOusly and abun.
dainty blessed US. 1t was the curse of Israel
that they had forgotten and fOrsaken the
God of their fathers, and if it is ever written
above the door of our nation that our glory
has departed it will be because we have for
sakcn the God of victory. And as christian men
and women, let us properly appreciate and
wisely improve our privileges and opPortIsn, ssc
precious gospel of Christ and live in accord
ance with the great privileges that we enjoy.
And as christian people it beco Les our duty,
ernment but to pray for the peace and pros
perity of our nation. The great apostle said:
II eXhOrt therefore first of all that prayers,
and giving of thanks, ETC." Let
only gro wing more aud more illustrious in all
the true elements of national greatness, be-
slowing richer blessings upor its teeming
millions of loyal and living subjects and tow
the beacon light of liberty and truth to all
men. Let us pray for the soldier. their widows
and orphan children. Their ranks are being
depleted by the hand of death. Each year
soldiers to fall into line and march to the Gem.
eteries to do honor to their departed com.
rades.
Many who took part in these services last
year now sleep the
SILENT SLEEP OF DEATH.
and loving hands will strew flowers upon
their graves this decoration day. And SO 1t
shall be from year to year till all shall sleep
are never heard. May the dead rest in peace.
May the past be forgotten. and may those
who were in the wrong be forgiven. May the
old flag never again have cause to shake and
shudder and quake at the sound of the voice
of treason. May we never again have to en-.
dure the perils and hardships of another civil
war. But over the ashes Of the victims of our
late civil strife we pra may bloom the flowers
of peace. happiness and tranquility forever.
And when we have glided down tho stream
CT time and passed out onto the broad ocean
of eternity, and the voice of the archangel
and trump of God shall call forth the dead
from sea and land, may we see large line of
old soldiers march up to the New Jerusalem,
with the same stately tread with which they
answered the call for the defense of their
and their flag.
May they be received in heaven with the
same glorOus ovation as heralded their return
home from four long
YEARS OF BITTER STRIFE,
and may the angels who walk the pearly
shores of heaven stand by its celestial gates
and bid them "Welcome home," then there
will begin one grand reunion that shall never
end. And now as you have been soldiers for
your country, be soldiers in the army of the
Lord. Fight the good fight of faith and as you
won the victory in battle for your country, SO
you may conquer in this war, and it will be said
in that great day: "Well done; enter into the
joy of thy Lord"