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

proclaim II from THIS sacre1
pulpit-thls unparalleled miracle OF
reconciliation is mainly due 70 the patri-
otic spirit of the old soldiers themselves.
Some. no doubt, there are, who, for selfish.
partisan ends, would fain fan the emoer
of hatred between North and South; bu t
Won and your fellow soldiers share not TIL
spirit. SO contemplate, so un-AmePtcan.
You swore to do your duty on the feld OF
battle. and you did it-in peace your high
est. most sacred duty is to cultivate feel
ings of brotherly love towards all your
fellow citizens, and most nobly have you
discharged this solemn obligation. Even
towards the men OF the southland, VINO
met you on the CORY plains Of war, you
have shown generosity, aye, fraternal
affection uneXampled in the worlds his
tory. In all the annals of time you Will
not come across another instance where
conq uerors have honored the conquered's
dead and decorated their graves with tow-
ers: vet more than once have your COM
rades-in-arms been known to lay wreaths
of tender affection on the graves OF the
Southern slain.
SADLY, but not upbraiding,
The generous deed was done.
In the storm Of the years that are fading
No Drawer battle was won.
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day;
Under the blossoms the blue,
Under the garlands the grey"
Therefore, can see no reason why the Bit
ter animosity of the war should be in any
manner perpetuated by your beautifully
expressed recognition on Decoration Day
of the valor and loyalty to Fatherland Of
your deceased companions. The effect OF
this yearly celebration, as its purpose, IS,
first of all, ito render honor TO whom honor
is due;' TO proclaim the well-earned praise
Of those who with yourselves, offered their
lives a sacrifice for their country's good.
Another effect, too, have pointed out
enkindling in the heart Of every citizen OF
an enthusiastic love for his country-a love
that will stand the test which you and your
deceased comrades have generously given.
One word more Your country has
right to look to you, Soldier Patriots. as
models of all those qualities which true
patriotism must embodY. First then, let
your love of country be superior to all
clannish, partisan considerations. AS
citizens, affiliate with any political party
whose principles your prefer; as old
soldiers, as members Of the Grand Army
of the Republic, be not the henchmen Of
any political party. Your organization
will be honored and respected, as long as
it is independent of all party affiliations.
Secondly, your military training, With
out which your services in the field would
have been inefficient, has taught you a les
son so necessary TO all American citizens,
whether native or adopted-namely, that
true liberty is perfectly consistent with re-
spect for and obedience to all lawful au-
thority. In your own persons, ever set an
example of this respect for law and reyer-
ence for those whom you and your fellow
citizens have constituted the guardians OF
our political institutions. Eliminate from
the army-code the marks Of respect due to
superior officers, and military discipline
will soon be destroyed; so too will the
peace and good order of society soon dis
appear, if disrespect for our civil rulers Is
encouraged, or just laws are brought into
contempt
Permit me now, members of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, to suggest to you
and to all our fellow-citizens the daily
fulfllment of sacred duty-the duty OF
praying earnestly to our Heavenly Father
for the preservation of our beloved coun-
try. May the land which you and your
companions-in-arms have watered with
your blood continue for all time to be a rich
soil for that precious flower of liberty so
beautifully sung of by our great poet;--
..Thy sacred leaves, fair Freedoms flower,
Shall ever float on dome and tower,
To all their heavenly colors true,
And God love US as we love thee,
Thrice holy Flower OF Liberty
Then bail the banner OF the free,
The starry FLOWER OF LIBERTY
We pray God that the starry flag of our
country may be always the recogni zed en-
sign of the freest, happiest nation on earth.
We pray that this Union Of States may be
imperishable, since in it are centred and
embalmed our hearts and our hopes.
Them
"Thou, too. sail on, Shi p Of State!
Sail on, o Union, strong nd great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes OF future years,
is hanging GREATNESS on thy fate
We know what Master laid thy keel,
WHAT workman wrought thy ribs OF steel,
Who made each mast and sail and rope,
WHAT anvils rang, what hammers beat,
In what q for ge and what a heat
Were shaped the anchors of thy hopel
Fear not each sudden sound and shock,
IT'S Of the wave and not the rock;
IT'S but the tapping OF the sail,
And not rent ms de by the gale
In spite Of rock and tempest's roar,
In spite OF false lishts on the shore,
Sail on, fear not to breast the sea
Our hearts, our hopes are all with thee,
Our hearts. our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant Ger our fears,
Are all with thee-are all with thee"
At the conclusion of the sermon
Bishop Kahn offered fervent prayer,
and the choir rendered some appropriate
music. Bishop Kahn then arose, and
briefly thanking the mem bers OF the
Grand Army Posts for attending the
services, he dismissed the congregation
with a blessing.