The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-06-08

port OF the Republic when its lnlrg-
rty was assaied, should unite IN
fraternal bonds, to keep green their
memories and perpetuate their
glory"
We who live in the benefcent
sunshine of prosperity and peace cam
not realize how CALAMITY they
marched shoulder to shoulder
through tolls and privations; how
nobly they stood elbow to elbow,
like a stone wall, between this fair
land of ours and traitorous hands
that would have torn it asunder; how
manfully they fought that their
posterity might enjoy the blessings
of free government, unclouded by
the dark stain of slavery. How self
sacrificing was their example. If
they could devote the prime of their
life to the service OF their country
and our country, can we not at least,
devote one day calling to memory
their heroic deeds and looking at the
unspeakable value they are to us.
1t seems to me that you who are
parents should tell your children
the significance of Decoration Day.
Teach them that it is not a day to be
devoted to thoughtless mirth. Tell
them the stories of the war. Undue
their young minds with sublime pa
triotism and love for the Veteran
Soldier. Direct their little eyes to
the beloved folds of our country's
flag, the emblem of all that is so
dear to the true American Heart.
Then tell them that Memorial Day
is to perpctuate the memories of
those brave men, who were engaged
in that war, who battled that onr
Country might be free, and that
those silken folds might float to and
fro in the heaven born breeze
without single star obscurcd and
without asingle stripeerased or, po-
luted. The banner Of u united
and prosperous people. Teach them
all this and our country's future is
assured.
1t has been said that Americans
easily forget the deeds of their great
men and those who die in her service
Let US prove to the world that thi;
is not 50. Let us, the country low.
ing people in this, the grand anC
loyal old County of Blount, add oul
little mite to the honor Of tina
Grand Army, so many Of whom wen
from our own loved county. Anc
who knows but what our efforts to
day to show the respect due to thes'
heroes may fire some boy in on
midst with that ambition and tina
patriotism that makes great men
, Who knows but that we may appl,
the spark, that otherwise might no
have been applied, to the magazin
of the mind ola Washington, a Lin
coin, Grant, or a Garfield? Yo,
who were soldiers and some O
you who were not remember that 70
Il number ofyears before the war tn
North aud the South had been mas
querading as friends, and in
moment, while the sound of tn,
first shot, fired at Sumptcr, was ring
ing in their ears they faced eacl
: other, as enemies.
The roar of that cannon announce
the birth of new epoch. The ech
oes of that shot went out not onl
the bav of Charleston. but over tn
hills, the prairies aud forests of til
continent. These echoes said mar
velous things and uttered prophecie
that none were wise enough to un
derstand.
Who at that time had the slighteS
conception of the immediate future
Who then was great enough to Sc
the endg Who then was wise enoug
to know that the echoes would b
kept alive and repeated for years an
years by thousands and thousands {
cannon and millions of muskets OIL
, the fields ofruthless war?
At that time Abraham Lincoln, a
Illinois lawyer, had been mont
. in the Presidents chair, and th5
, shot made him the most command
ing and majestic figure of the Mint
teenth century, figure that stanC
! alone.
Who could have guessed the name
, icf the heroes to be repeated b