The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-30
sEAyrLK. TUESDAY,. NAY 10


MEMORIAL DAY.
One OF the master touches in Joe Jef!er-
sons presentation of rip Van Wrinkle"
II when Rip. waking from his sIeep Of
twenty years, descends into the village
and tries to find somebody who will re-
member him, but in vain. His dog
Schneider 10 dead: his boon companions
are dead his little girl. Meenie. is ma
tured woman and does not recall IN the
venerable stranger the father she supposes
fed and rerished in the storm upon the
mountain twenty years ago. The old man
drops his head upon his breast and mourn
fully cxclaims: "And are We 50 soon for
got?" Memorial day, as il falls into gen.
eral neglect year by year. measured by the
decreasing number Of parsicipators and
the fading ardency Of interest shown. re-
calls old Eip sadly saying, And are we 80
soon forgoty'
The time - not far distant when the be-
reavcd who honor the vacant chair in the
family circle where their soldier used to
cit; the wives. sisters and daughters whose
tears used to spangse the socks they knit
iot tuSAI tOiAtCIss WiAa w VIC outy vssaoiS
mourners and decorators of patriot graves
on Memorial day. This is true and 1t is a
pity that il is true. for We believe that the
nation should 30 soiemnly honor and pre-
serve all tho traditions of this great trial.
time that when the gathering shadows Of
coming death begin to reveal themselves to
the last survivor Of the great war for the
Union it would assuage his bitterness Of
parting to have this proud and sweet men,
ory. viz: that he would leave not few
behind who would always hold him in re-
spect because he had fought to save the
state: that he was one Of those upon whom
the Union leaned for support from Sumter
shining stones in that wall of gallant
hearts that stood between the bayonets Of
rebellion and the life OF the nation.
Hut in this intensely utilitarian age
patriotic memories have small tenacity Of
life. Tho great state Of Pennsylvania.
which includes the famous battlefield Of
Gettysburg, won by Union army COM
manded by . citizen Of Pennsylvania,
gave an electric car company . charter
which has enabled il To occupy a large
portion Of the battle ground and destroy
with dynamite its most interesting ORR
ginal features in the vicinity Of Little
Round Top. The same electric car COM
pany expects to obtain from the state q
grant OF It's right of eminent domain
under which this car company can take
the portion of the field that has already
been purchased and occupied by the
Gettysburg Monumen, Association.
The grave OF Lincoln mas never been sur
mounted by a monument worthy of the
state of Illinois. and 1t is falling into n
condition of repulsive neglect and decay.
The great city of New York behaved in
very shabby manner in the matter of the
Grant monument, and altogether the
mood OF the average American OF the
growing generation IL one Of caesiing,
stupid cynieism rather than warm patriot
ism. He Is not sure that Lincoln was a
great statesman and patriot. but he il con-
fient that he was man who deserved
we'll of his country "a = collector and dis
seminaior of salaclous anecdotes, he is re-
luctant g. admit that Grant was a great
soldier, but 10 confident that he Was sus-
iering from chronic alcoholism FROM
Shiloh 10 Arpomattox; he thinks
Sheridan was not a man of genius. moth
ing but lucky. Sighting igShman; lie IS
skcpt,cai concerning Shertdan's soldier
shir, hut he rascs the garbage heap OF his
life ~ n gay young drsgoon in oregon,
and weaves ali the gossip of the past into
a crown Of thorns for the hroS Of the hero
Of Cellar creek. The president Of The
United States. Grover Cleveland. during
his srst term was invited 10 the Memorial
exercises At New YORK city. and replied.
Il 40 s-hshins." and went: he MAS invited
10 attend the Gettysburg reunion and an.
s~ered that he "hain', time
The reason why the growing generation
has small patriotic vensratioa for either
the hsiag cr the deal - the generation
tha, fought and Non tie battle lor the
Union is sha; tAe growing generation
worshirs nothing bnt Mammon, Il &c
neeis the same base spirit that made the
great city oi New Iork 3 disioya, eaiar Of
greedy, eowsrdly traders and gl.siei knsyes
until the farmers aud artisans - America
lesred 90 their feet. ~ the SQUAD 9. tas
sho, against Sumter, raaske: in hand ard
then and net sili then dill the gFca. cstv Of
New York pronounce declsiye,y for the
Union; she had heard srom the sgva. DIS
trsets:' every farm and factory had an
sxere,i Lsneosn's call to arms With 4 vast
cheer and >es York under the dugess Of
rnhlle opinion cas- obliged 10 march - the
music Of the Union She was ~ rosesiess
20 resist as Richmond or New Orleans
when Virginia ard Louisiana seeded.
The truth IS shai The nation wxs saved
n 1851 not by mea 81 mental accomplish
uents tha: are Displayed IN legal coatcn-
aicn or political debate. sdens, in the skl.l
Of the schools OF the tongue ~ the Pen,
Who were all ready 20 sw a,los everything
In the share Of cravea uapvosntse with
slayery that would have kent ;ae reace;
but the shos q Sumter broke The startled
Air and the men ~ instinct roe - ihe.E
feet BY thousands. and saere ~ss s0a %
a: eomrrouaise this side Of the grave of
the coafederacy. These nen ef snstise,
could not hare constructed eons;s;a-
fouai arxument against secession cs IN Dc.