The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-25
MEMORIAL DAY.
Some even Of the few national boil

begun to lose their interest for the people,
and their celebration has grown to be moro
or less perfunctory. But our latest holt
day, known as Memorial or Decoration Day,
promises to appeal more and more to our
compatriots, to have a wider and deeper
significance as the years 60 on. Until re-
Gently it was observed by the north and
south in a sectional way, thus keeping up
the old sentiments and feelings enkindled
and strengthened by the civil war.
But so rapidly have prejudice and pas
sion cooled that now the former enemies
often join in paying tribute to the honored
dead, so setting an example of mutual ap-
probation and magnanimity, hardly to
have been expected so soon, that has sell
dom been equaled in older governments.
To forget in twenty years the old animosi-
ties that had been gathering and strength
ening for seventy years is the best evidence
of the humanity, understanding and sym
patty engendered by the institutions Of a
great democracy. Our victory over our
selves is far more glorious than any we
have gained over our enemies.
The Old World abounded in predictions
during our civil war that whatever its
outcome the north and south would never
be at peace; that with no natural bounda-
ries, no walls of separation, we should be
continually trespassing on each others
territory and mourning new causes of dis
sension. The predictions were plausible
certainly. But many of those who took
part in the strife, and are still in middle
age, have seen it's wounds healed and
ancient foes converted into firm friends
and political brothers The union they
have cemented with blood is immeasura-
bly, stronger than the confederation formed
by their forefathers. And at each return
of Memorial Day the bonds are renewed
with fresh sympathy and added esteem
Our war instead Of imbittering us has
Modified US; has enabled us to see each
other without bias in the clear light of
truth. The difference between the sections
was caused by slavery, and slavery is for
ever extinct. The political education of the
north ana south had been diverse, and their
moral ideas were to an extent the result
thereof Politically they were both right;
aud now they have the same moral point
of view, which they could not have had be-
fore.
Memorial Day is, in the strictest sense,
national. and the most conducive of all our
holidays to preserve our nationality. Its
value and it's beauty can scarcely be over
estimated. 1t recalls the patriotic past,
and assures the patriotic future. 1t is evil
dence of what we have done and promise
of what we would do in like emergency.
1t is at once an example and a warning, a
triumph and a conservation. The oftener
we celebrate the day, the more important
and precious it should be. In the next
century it should assume a character al
most sacred. We are yet too near the war
to perceive its vast proportions and enor-
nous consequence. We still lack the per-
spective for it's proper apprehension.
Has any other country such holiday
Other countries commemorate their victo-
ries. But we commemorate victory on
one side and defeat on the other, and be-
ing the same people we regard the defeat
as a victory, since it has led to a CONSOLE
datiOn of our common heritage and our
common interests. Latterly, too we COM
memorate our reconciliation, which, great
er than any feat of arms or skill of STRAIT
egg, attests the advance and superiority of
free institutions
1t is hard to conceive a higher moral
spectacle than the day exhibits. In the
north and in the south, where the Union
lists and Confederates are buried, their
graves are strewn with flowers alike, and
equal honors are paid to their memory.
Eulogies are pronounced by northern men
on southern soldiers, and by southern meu
on northern soldiers. The past. with all
its blood and sacrifice, is forgiven, if not
forgotten, in a grand spirit of generosity
and all embracing patriotism.
The heroes Of a generation, passive, il not
already past, praise and revere the heroes
who gave their lives to a cause which was
sacred to them, and which can never arise
again, to separate and make hostile a
brave, chivalrous and enlightened people.
A war that can produce such results must
have been a conscientious war, and must
have been conducted on patriotic prin-
ciples IL hes no parallel in history; it is
a proof Of civilization; it is an indelible
record of a new and most encouraging era
which could not have been reached before
the present century.
Wars generally, as has been often said,
leave the nations engaged in them in far
worse condition than they were at the out
set. Our war was an exception. 1t was
more than war for an idea; it was for a
conviction, and in the interest of progress
and morality. 1t left US, after the sacri-
fee of "A million lives and incalculable
treasure, infinitely better of in every way.
The treasure has been repaid fourfold, and
the lives lost have entered into the national
life, enlarging, purifying and elevating it
beyond estimation. Not one of all the men
who died has died in vain, which is always
the best recompense for death, and one
very rarely secured.
With such feelings as these we, of the
north and south, observe and revere the
day. 1t touches as TO our depths and fills
our souls with mingled sentiment of sor-
row and rejoicing for what has
gone; rejoicing for what has come and will
remain The day can never become COM
monplace or indifferent. 1t commentaries
the true birth of our common country and
the apparent perpetuity of its redeemed
existence.
In the next century and the next it prom
ises to be more impressive and stimulating
than it is tous, whose fathers, brothers and
sons are sleeping in the graves of a hun
dred battlefelds Our poSterity viii DO
sure to honor it and idealize it, as all de-
voted men and great deeds are apt to be
idealized, and to follow the professions
that decorate the mounds amid muffled
drums, with hushed voices and tender
hearts. Memorial Day bids fair to keep
green, through unnumbered years, the
memory of the truly heroic struggles and
sacrifices that have constituted us Amer
leans of America
JUNIUs HENRI BROWNE.
To the Front Once More.
The Volunteer has said it, anent the
grand encampment for 1892:
lpapct f,ropafport r. A II,