Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-07-25

years: Let us be friends indeed; let rs
feel that the past is irrevOcable, but not
therefore wasted Let us join hands and
90 forward to the duty that lies nearest.
Something might say, if it were right
to say anything, of q somewhat too eIfu-
sive Joy that marked a recent tribute to q
great soldier, who gave his name and his
sword to a cause We believe to be un-
speakably wrong. 1t IS not for US TO de-
eide how far military skill or personal
character can lessen the guilt of treason.
But of this, OH loyal hearts, be sure:
neither bronze nor marble can endure
long enough to change wrong into right,
nor 70 cure the broken oath
of Robert i. Lee. Some day,
perhaps, another colossal form
viii stand BY the side Of his, grand, mas
sive and heroic, the statue Of one who
simply thought that a soldiers pighted
word meant what it said; man who
spoke little Of his honor, but kept it
stainless as the snow; a soldier Of the
antique type; the greatest son Virginia
gave TO the war-GeOrge II. Thomas, the
Rock of Chickamauga.
North and South: they are not pleas
ant words. AS Americans, as soldiers
who fought for the cause that carried
liberty and civilization in its bosom, let
us try to make all our cOuntrymen see
that the victory was for all: that they
who lost, won, far beyond their largest
dream of empire. For God so ordered it
that their blood and herOism should be
blended with that of their brothers who
wore the blue, and together they have
builded the nOblest structure that earth
has seen. It's lofty dome shelters those
who loved it equally with those who
wrought with willing hearts to lay its
foundations and to rear its enduring
walls. The world takes daily note Of
it, and sees that Millions prophetic con
ception of an ideal nation has here been
realized. an OF many sOyereignties united
in one commonwealth but many COM
mOnwealths in one united and in
trusted sovereignty"
They say that soldiers grow gar
rulOus with age. But why should
they not? The tents are down. The camp
is broken up. What is left but mem
cries and hopes? When Harry of Eng
land led his soldiers to AginCourt it was
easy to tell them of modest stiffness and
humility" But who could hush their
tongues to peace when, gathered in the
village alehOuse, or under the shade of
spreading English elms, they told Of that
immortal day and how they won the fight
under the smiling skies of France?
It is but natural, that as age steals on,
we should talk more and more of Giant
and Sherman, of Sheridan and Hancock,
and the comrades who stood within elbow
touch when the fight was at its Whitest
heat. One name stands for many, the
leader represents all who followed him
in the deadly assault, or stood by his side
when the guns were dOuble-shotted to
welcome the coming foe. The man who
won his stars by honest service, the stars
that cleaned with the light of duty we'll
performed, stands for all who in the
nameless thrOng Of gallant men, made it
possible for him to wear them. Only
nOn-cOmbatants imagine that some
speeches. gulf separated the Marshal
who led an army, from the un-epauletted
Marshal who carried his baton in his
knapsaCk. We were all fighting for the
same cause, and they who led only fol-
lowed, and they who followed, led.
1t is an honor cannot fifty acknowl-
edge to stand before this assemblage of
ununifOrsaed valOr. Here are hearts that
once throbhed with the Joy of victory,
and almost ceased to beat in the sor-
row that comes to those who see the flag
go down. The soldiers of Indiana, brave
as the bravest, kept step on every battle
field with the column that marched to the
front. Here, too, are the soldiers of other
states. They helped with might and
main. But little does the Union soldier
heed whether a comrades home was east
or west, or north and south. They fought
for a cause which stood fOur-square, and
on every side was written, Liberty. There
is Joy in their hearts when they think
how they followed the flag. and Joy when
they meet in soldier fashion to pledge
the days that are left, by the days. that
are no more.
Our lives are short. The world, an
Gent and wTinkled with the years, is
strange and curious, for we hardly learn
it before we pass away. 1t is sometimes
hard to comprehend that anything is
worth struggling for But, thanks to
those who have marked the way, life is
not altogether fruitless even here. Death
is a mystery but not a terror to those who
have been wrought upon by a great cause.
Out in the street are the sounding dem
OnstratiOns, which tell US that in a way
less quiet than ours youth and strength
are giving their Iusty Drawn to the cele-
bratiOn of the day. What does it mean?
Only this: that freedom is so divine q
thing that men cannot give it honor
enough until they drown all other
sounds in the noisy chorus of
American nationality. IF you listen
you will be conscious of q deeper
harmony that tells how always under the
IN the music there is another music, play
ing the self-same air in tones so soft that
only the soul can hear. Let US be con
tent; for to-day and every day our eyes
behold the glad results of the great war.
Sorrow turns to Joy when we think what
is-and what might have been. We have
not seen, and shall not see, every wrong
made right. God always keeps some
cause for future generations to serve.
But what you did, soldiers of the Union,
VIII make it easier for those who in the
days that are coming shall try to lift up
Truth and put crown upon her brow
The Fourth of July and the faith it
stands for cannot perish in this age, nor
while men shall hear how a loyal people
went forth to battle in Gods name and
won the day And the soldiers coming
home. as thew laid away their swords and