Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-31


fell from four million slaves. Where
the work OF bayonet and sword
left of, it was taken up
by education and religion.
The civil war settled two other things.
First, the right OF man to engage In
honest toll without having the finger of
scorn pointed TO him, and second, that
popular government is not only possible
but real, and abiding, and strong. Mr..
Atkinson closed amid loud applause.
The school children then rendered
another song, after which Prof. Z. 81.
Crago was introduced and delivered a
brief memorial address. He referred to
the annual celebration Of Memorial Day
as a necessity.
If there is one thing is this land of ours,
which is needed to-day above all other
things it is that true patriotism be taught
to the rising generation, in whose hands
will soon be placed the
DESTINY OF THE NATION.
Let it be taught in public and private
schools, so that another Civil war will be
impossible. Let it be known to all the
world that the observance Of Memorial
Day is not to keep alive the bitter memo
ries of the war, but along
with strewing flowers and
dropping a tear upon the graves of de-
parted soldiers, it cements and binds the
strong ties of American citizenship. 1t is
an object lesson for the young, and day
which should not be given TO revelry. But
it is to the soldier day Of peculiar inter-
est.
AS we made good record as soldiers,
let US do the same in the battle of life AS
we helped TO save this great nation, let US
be her most worthy cihtZens. This coun-
try is ours, ours 10 make better, ours 10
preserve and ours 10 transmit Let US do
all we can TO make it better during our few
remaining years.
In the years 10 come, when the unbiased
history OF our country Is written, three
epochs will stand out from all others, l. e.,
the discovery of America, the war for
independence, and the war for the preser-
walton OF the union Of the States. And
1892, IT78 and lS65 will be dates never 20 be
forgotten. On the first year mentioned,
Just four hundred years ago, new world
came into existence; In the second, we be
came a new nation. while In the
third, we demonstrated 20 the world
that self-gOvernment was not a
failure. This year we celebrate
the Fourth Centennial Year OF the discOv-
cry Of America This viii be great event
Sixteen years ago we celebrated the cen
teunial Of Ou- birth as a nation-thst was a
greater event than this viii be, but l can
fancy that those living In the year 1865, and
who Join In celebrating the centennial OF
the demonstration OF the fact that self-gOv-
eminent was a reality, will see the grand
est pageant that this continent ever did or
ever will behold. But few now born can
hope % see that day, but millions now I'M
born will see il, and those whose names
will then De lauded and most honOred will
be the men who by their bravery brought
about the event then TO be celebrated. The
hero Of that hour will be the
BOYS IN BLUE
OF 1s6l-65, and IL they are permitted from
their spirits home to witness the greatness
of the country, at that time, for which one
hundred years before they gave their lives
they will surely see that they died not in
vain.
Prof. Crago received round Of ap-
plause at the close Of his address.
Messrs. Walter Spargo and Leo Brilles,
students Of the Linsly Institute then
rendered dialogue between CasSius
and Brutus, in manner showing a
splendid conception Of the lines and
careful study and training. They were
loudly applauded. The next and last
speaker of the evening, Mr.. w. II. G.
Curtis, was then introduced by Mr..
Robertson as mot veteran, but son
of one Of the grandest officers OF the
war, Gen. w. II. Curtis"
Mr.. Curtis delivered an eloquent ad-
dress, which occupied about three
quarters Of an hour. He was frequent
ly interrupted by applause. In his in
troductory remarks he extolled the
Grand Army Of the Republic and said
he was proud to say he was the son Of
a survivor of the War OF the Rebellion.
Continuing ne said:
wonder il the people Of this great ina
tion have an adequate conception OF the
benefits and advantages they now enjoy,
secured to them by the Union Soldiers of
the late Rebellion. wonder If the rising
generation, the young men Of to-day, who
stand where these veterans stood thirty
eight years ago, have any idea of the
BLESSINGS THEY ENJOY,
bequeathed unto them by their sires.
What are the considerations that would in
duce US to risk all these possibilities, yea.
our lives, all for the good of othersl
In messy graves scattered all over this
continent are men who thought on this
great question. Were these young men
more courageous than the young men
of todayl No. Were they more willing to
diel No. Let the sons Of this republic
protect united and cemented statehood as
rich legacy left by devout ancestors to
heroic sons.
There was contest between union and
disunion, between right AID wrong. in
which there was no neutral ground. With
those who died in the strife, activity In the
defense of their country was the soul of
duty. They were victorious in the strug-
gle, but did not live TO see the foundation Of
that monument reared upon their blood.
But when the laurels Of statesmen shall
have failed, the devotion to their country
Of these gallant soldiers, will be green in
the memory of every loyal American citi-
zen. Truly there is one debt the Govern
ment can never pay, and that is the debt OF
gratitude il owes its soldiers"
Continuing, he said that the people
should be taught that they owe to the
soldiers a debt Of gratitude. He closed
with an earnest appeal to the members
of the Grand Army to throw away the