Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-30

children. yet she sets aside one day ia the
year 10 celebrate the memory Of all her
saints. SOi zoo, the solitary shaft as a
lone sentin re may keep guard over the
grave Of SC ~ great hero, or some special
day be ded I Ated 20 his honor, yet it Is meet
that the Ne SOn, too, should have one day
o. the year -eOnsecrated 10 the memory or
all her herOes, as well Of those who wore
the simple uniform Of the private soldier, as
o. the leaders whose hign rank entitled
them 10 richer decorations.
But whilst you, Soldiers Of the Republic,
should feel and snow the deepest interest
in this celebration, since you have oeen
cOmrades-ln-arnns Of the honOred dead, yet
YOU must not be, and you are not alone IN
rendering fitting homage 10 your fellow
soldiers. The great heart Of the Nation
beats in sympathy with you. All who en-
JOY the blessings Of American citizenship
are joined with you in paying honor TO the
men, who offered their lives and holocaust
on their cOuntry's altar. In them they rec
Ognize admire and reverence the brightest
exemplars Of that highest Of civic virtues
love OF country-patriotism Deeds
speak louder than words" is a trite but
true saying. Not be always who boasts in
extravagaQt terms OF his love Of country is
the truest patriot. Such Wanting patriots
are oft found wanting when thetest OF pa
triOtism means a willingness to die in de-
fence Of country. But when a man chooses
TO forsake father and mother, wife and
children, and al the comforts and endear-
ments OF home, and 10 face the privations
and hardshlps and dangers Of soldiers
life out Of love for his native or dopted
country. be puts upon his loyalty the most
sacred seal OF sincerity Genuine love OF
country, like genuine love Of God, always
implies the martyrs spirit-a readiness IN
him who processes il TO shed his hearts
blood In proof of the honesty OF his probes
sions. Such was the lOyalty-such the
patriotism Of the men over whose graves
loving companions and grateful country
strew garlands Of richest rarest flowers on
Memorial Day.
But this ceremony means more than
well-merited display Of admiration and
gratitude toward the dead. IL is an object
lesson Of deepest significance. 1t is an i'm
itatiOn of Gods plan and the church's plan
Of teaching truth and virtue by appeals 10
the senses. The dropping of sweet flowers
DIV loving hands on the resting places OF
our cOuntry's valiant defenders. is
well calculated 10 inspire the wish and pur-
pose Of initiating the patriotism OF those
whose memories are thus hOnored. Were
il in our power, we would entWlne a cor
Onet OF sweet immOrtelleS around the brow
of each patriot in whose blood our country.s
soil has been baptized, and inScribe beneath
his name on the roll Of fame-"Dulee est
pyo patrid m0rj," 1T is sweet 10 die for
ones country" Yes, soldier patriots, by
the hOnOrS YOU Justly shower on these dead
heroes, you are teaching the rising gener-
alton the MODEST OF civic virtues-love and
loyalty TO fatherland. Your simple, touch
ing tribute 70 the memory OF your deceased
comrades is a more impressive lesson than
the most learned disquisition on patriot
ism. IL appeals directly 10 the heart ana
warns ii up with the most generous i'm
pulses Of devoted love and attachment to
our great and gloriOns Republic.
His Eminence, the Cardinal Archbishop
of Baltimore, contributed an article TO last
months North Americdn ReUieiC, on the sub
ject Of Patriotism and Politics" After
lucid explanation of the virtue of patriot
ism. and after citing historic instances IL
Illustrative of that virtue, he makes this
lust reflection which must meet the en-
dorsement of all true Americans;
"When we reflect on the happl-
ness ard manifold temporal blessings
which our political institutions have
already conferred and are destined to con-
fer on millions Of people, we are not sur
prised that the American citizen is proud
Of his country, ner history, and the record
Of her statesmen. Therefore next TO God,
our country should hold the strongest
place in our affections. 1t Is
sacred duty for every American to
do all in his power 10 perpetuate our civil
institutions and to avert the dangers that
threaten them These sentiments so true,
so patriotic are the inspiration of Memorial
Day with its simple but suggestive cere-
monies, and, enunciated thus publicly by
the highest church-dignitary in our
country, they substantiate aud emphasize
this fact. namely, that religion always
cherishes and intensihes the virtue OF
patriotism. Religion gives 10 love OF
country higher, boiler motive than any
other source can possibly supply. 1t links
love Of God with love of country:
1t teaches that love Of country IS sacred
duty imposed by God Himself. when
drawn I'D In battle-array 70 meet the shock
of the opposing foe, the sentiment of re-
ligion adds q tenfOld strength and intensity
TO the courage OF the brave soldiers, who
feel that in fighting, if need be even unto
death. for the integrity and honor
of their country, they are pat
Ting in the cause OF God.
1 cannot perhaps better illustrate this fact
than by reading 70 you the account drawn
up by an eyewitness Of touching scene,
enacted 0t Gettysburg on the second day OF
that fierce and sGnguinary struggle-a scene
soon TO be cOmmemorated on canvas by the
artist, Paul Wood, and TO be preserved III
one Of the galleries Of the Bishops Memoir
ial Hall in the University Of Notre Dame,
Ind. The scene so graphically described,
represents what took place July I'd, when
the Irish Brigade was sent to the assistance
Of Sickles' Third Corps, at that time hero
icallv defending Little Round Top
"Father COrOv, who had accompanied
the Army of the Potomac from the nrSt
Bull Run, and who was in at the round
NM M AppOmattOX, stood out IN front OF
the Irish Brigade, and gave each member
present absOlutiOn, the men kneehng and
receiving the benediction. Chaplain Corby
stood n front OF the brigade on large
rock and explained what ne was about 10
do for the soldiers, saying that eacn one
cOuld receive the benefit of the absolution by
making sincere act Of eOntrition and firm
lv resolving TO embrace the hrSt opportuni-
" OF confeSsiug his sins, urging them 10 do
their duty well, aid reminding them Of the
high and sacred nature OF their trust as
soldiers and the noble object for which
thew fought, ending by saying the Catholic
Church refuses Christian burial TO the sol
der who turns his back upon the foe and
deserts his cOuntry's hag.
AS he closed his address every man fell
upon his knees with head bowed down.
Then lifting his right hand, Father Corby
the solemn words of aosolu-
ton. The scene was more than impressive,
IN was awe-inspiring. Nearby stood Han
cock. surrounded by brilliant throng Of
officers. who had gathered to witness this
unusual spectacle. While in the Second
Corps was silence, bursting shells screamed
through the air, the roar Of battle rose and
swelled through the woods, making music
more sublime than ever resoundeO through
cathedral aisle.
Gen. Mulholland, witness TO the
sublime scene, says: Il do not think there
was a man in the brigade who did not offer
q