Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-06-04

to the God of Nations for the past, and
look confidently to the future, believing
that the true spirit of patriotism did not
perish with those men, but is still alive
in the hearts Of men to-day who have
American institutions and American
government. | fully believe to-day that
| II trouble shonld arise between any for.
eign nation and our own that could no
be amicably adjusted by arbitration
and war must come, believe there are
hundreds and thousands, yea millions
who would at the first call of their coun-
try yield loyal response. In view Of
what we enjoy to-day as a nation and
people, we think it must be right. and our
bounden duty to hold in reverence the
deeds, the achievements, of these great
and loyal men, we call them great
whether they wore the epaulettes upon
their shoulder, insignia OF their rank, or
wore the private uniform. Let us stand
to-day in grand review and in thought,
watch the mighty ,ivs. as they pass
along, there heads the mi hty column,
Abraham Lincoln, the martyred presi.
dent. We think Of his n9ble service
for his country, not on tented field but
as Chief Magistrate Of the nation at this
crucial period. He stands mighty
column in the temple Of liberty. Here
comes the silent man, great in war,
great in peace. Here comes Sherman,
sheridan, Logan, Garfield, Fitzpatrick,
and the thousands of brave men whose
names are unknown to history, yet we
believe are chronicled in the archives
Of eternity by that Eternal ChronicIer,
whose eye never sleeps, and who looks
aiika hnth ANAL md
look upon them in thought to-day we
reverentlv bow our heads TO the pre-
servers Of our country. But while we
to-day hold in tender memory these
brave men who flew to their country's
rescue, let us not forget the noble
women who were just as devoted to
their country's cause, Just AZ loyal, Just
as brave, and with a heroism akin TO
that of the sterner sex visited battle
field and hospital, and with their kindly
presence and gentle touch alleviated the
sufferings Of the sick, comforted the
noble sacrifice, and should never be
forgotten. Theirs was noble work,
though no marble or granite has ever
been erected in memory Of their self
sacrifice and devotion to their country,
yet their noble work and deeds will
live in the immortality of eternity,
treasured up in the bosom ofthe eternal
God himself, aud will live to bless etern-
ity, and though those noble women
have received no material tribute of
memory in the way Of granite or
marble, yet their names will shine re-
splendent, gems of brilliant lustre in the !
diadem Of the King Of Kings. But hero. !
ism on the part of the women OF our |
country was not confined to those who !
went to battle fields and hospitals !
What was it that enabled those noble !
wives TO crowd back these tears as she !
with trembling fingers assisted in bind. |
ing the knapsack on the form that she |
loved so well, aud with choked utter. |
ance bade him God speed in his coun
try's service. What secret power was il
that took possession of that fond moth
er's henrt, as she imprinted that last
loving fond kiss upon the lips of her
noble son that was TO her the Joy of her
life, and charged him to be true and
loyal TO God, home, mother and native
land. No, my friends, true heroism and
bravery are not entirely confined to the
massive frame and bearded lip, but
down deep in the quiet nature of the |
true woman's soul there dwells as we'll |
the spirit Of bravery, heroism, and |
patriotism, and TO the brave women as |
we'll as men We owe our national securi- |
ty, and in memory Of them to-day we |
should cast a tribute Of love and recol |
lection. God bless them, theirs was a |
noble work, and will be recognized by !
the righteous Judge in the Eternal |
Kingdom.
Then there are others that we should !
not forget in this day of remembrance,
those who wore the suit of grey, they
fought brayely and we'll, let us not to- !
day cherish malice or hatred, the true |
conqueror is the forgiying conqueror,
let Us not pass them by in our memory
and recollection. | remember on last |
Decoration day rs the Lead City Post |
was decorating the gra yes OF their com-
rades, noticed on one grave on the
headstone this Inscription, "a soldier in
the confederate army" | thought as
looked upon il, are there no flowers for
this grave, though his life was given for
mistaken principles. Very tenderIy
those boys in blue laid 4 wreath Of
flowers upon the lone grave and drop
ped tear of forgiveness. thought true
greatness.
Tnen my friends let us to- day in CRATE
ful memory strew the graves of the de-
parted ones with flowers. This is the
highest expression of appreciation that
we can make, as we lay our chaplet of
flowers upon their graves to-day let us
remember our goodly heritage and the
price that was necessary TO give TO us
goodly bequeathment. The blood of h
noble boys who so heroically gave the
lives ransom for their country. This
was the price paid for our American
institutions, American government,
American liberty. Let us return thanks
to Almighty God for such a country,
country whose flag is respected over the
uttermost part of the earth, and when
some Chilian bigotry forgets the dignity
Of our flag must make amends or suffer
the penalty Then too let those of us
who have come upon the stage of active
responsibilities OF life since that great
struggle not forget those veterans OF the
civil war who are still living. When
ever see the badge of the G.. A. X.
feel like lifting my hat to the defender
of my country. The ranks are being
thinned, heads are silvering over. Soon
you will too receive the chapIet OF
flowers on your grave. Each returning
Memorial Day looks down upon the
thinned and halting parade of heroes.
Yet the sweet perfume of their loyalty
and bravery far surpasses the fragrance
Of violet, lily and rose, that they lay with
grateful homage upon their noble COM
rades graves. No speaker who this day
shall speak in laudation Of the heroes of
the civil war can do justice to them.
Nor do we think it at all necessary to beg
the pardon of the modesty of these
brave men who are here to-day as the
last living memento Of that struggle.
Nearly three decades have passed away,
and we as their posterity have right to
cheer and praise their valorous deeds
that bought for MS American principles,
American institutions. We have glori
GUS heritage, and We not only appreciate
our blessed inheritance, but we also
hold in grateful remembrance their
bravery, loyalty and patriotism.
"Then strew we sweet flowers and memories
sweeter
Than sweetest flower or fondest speech can
Pact Fnvai haa rfo fitt An N hIi,s aos.