Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-30

freedom and national unity. After Appomastox
more than q million received the only decoration
known to American heraldry, an honorable dis
charge.
In the army Of the south, all told, were
more than ], 500 900 men. For four years, over
an AREA Of S00,0 square miles, led on both
sides by incompatible commanders. on an hun
dred bsttlefelds, with unexampled courage
and valor, they fought to determine the ques-
ton whether union and liberty should remain
one and inseparable--and both sides sccep ted
the verdict.
THE GREATNESS OF THE War.
There was such an exhibition Of numerical
strength, courage and intelligence as was never
before witnessed in my age. nation or cline.
In comparison, the armies Of France and Ger
many, in the war Of 1870, sink into insignif-
canoe. History has never told of such num-
bers in warfare. The expense was also appall-
ing. The fourteen years war Of Napoleon did
not cost enough to pay all the interest on our
national debt. The cost Of the Franco-Prus-
sian war did not equal the total expenditure Of
single year from 81 to IS. Yet there never
was moment when our government or people
faitered; never o doubt as to the final triumph;
never question Of national solvency. The re-
united Union never went to protest. Other
nations depend on standing armies for ex-
We don't The United States de-
ponds upon its people. Having settled the great
question our army set to work with the rest of
the country to pay the expense Of the under
taking, and was equally victorious. There was
always money enough left to provide for the
MANNED and needy veteran. Our surviving vet
Grams receive today in pensions more than il
costs to maintain some OF the standing armies
OF the strongest governments in Europe. II is
a triumph Of American fnanciering and good
investment. The nations defenders cannot be
too literally rewarded.
Today we are stronger, nobler, grander than
ever. There is now no doubtful construction
to bring the Declaration Of Independence and
the nations Constitution into conflict. The
gray uniform has faded into Union blue The
old and tattered stars and bars, dyed in the
blood OF patriots, shows thirteen stripes and
forty-four stars. The battlefields have out
grown the scars OF war. The song Of peace and
the music OF industry and prosperity brighten
and glorify the American heart and home.
Other lands have caught up the strain and
deserters from all other flags are bowling before
the altar OF our liberties; the nations of the
earth behold under our banner all tongues,
creeds and races, and in the flag above yonder
capitol we behold the very genius Of liberty,
robed In light, four and forty stars in her dia-
dem; broken chains and oppression under her
feet and In her hand an olive branch.
THEIR FALLEN COMRADES
You who here stand among the headstones
marking the graves Of $4,000 fallen comrades
know that the death rolls alone of both armies
numbered half million names, SOC, 900 from
your own ranks. Alas, how few survive today.
Where are you comrades? You who fought
with sherman may well remember the graves
that dotted his pathway from Atlanta to the
sea.
You who followed Meade and Hancock and
Reynolds at Gettysburg know that loving hands
and hearts are there today performing service
Of tenderest love. Those who shared in Hooker's
glory above the clouds at Lookout mountain;
who crossed with Hartranft the stone bridge at
Antietam; who were with Farragut dashed to the
mast in the harbor Of Mobile; who saw the
horse and rider that turned defeat into victory
when Sheridan galloped down the valley Of the
Shenandoah; who witnessed the closing scene
When Grant returned the sword Of Lee. but ac-
cepted the surrender Of his army, need not be
told that Gods own treasures Of beauty,
gathered from hillside and valley, will be, today,
the almoners OF love to perpetuate the memory
OF your fallen comrades.
Wandering through the even rows Of marble
little while ago, here and there found the
word unknown" upon the headstones. I'm
known! Word Of deepest pathos. soldier of
the Union, but unknown. Mayhap years ago
father, wife or child clasped him to q loving
heart and babe him go to the fields Of glory and
OF death. He went to the battle, but he came
not back. Those he loved waited YEARLY for
years to hear the returning footballs. Com
rades failed to lift the cloud that enshrouded
his taking of. Today they wonder where or
when or in what hospital or prison he died. or
on what terrible battlefield he fell or by what
stranger hands he was entombed. Unknown!
Yes, the unknown soldier sleeps today in moss
grown trench, beneath the trampled battlefield
by the side Of friend or foeman, on the lonely
picket line, beneath the waters Of western rivers,
In the vast and restless grave of the deep.
The loving hands of kin or comrade cannot
beautify their hallowed but nameless graves to-
day. Holding them in fond remembrance let
us not forget the widows and orphans either of
the Union or Of the dead confederacy. They
whom the south sent to do battle were worthy
foemen. Wrong, eternally wrong and without
justification, but brave, earnest, indomitable.
Let no unhallowed voice be raised in cold, dis
paraging comparison Of valor or love. Today
the Union and confederate veterans with their
loved ones unite to spread leaves Of healing
upon the future. They were first to bury ami
mostly and hate deep out Of sight Let them
lie buried forever.
Under the sod and dew
Waiting the Judgment day.
Hny anil aa~o &c.