Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-31

If
BENJAMIN BUrTERwoRrH.
better way il would be profitless to discuss;
this. however. we may safely affirm: We have
paid dearly for whatever of advantage came as
the result of that appeal TO arms. Whether a
higher wisdom than that which guided our
councils would have permitted the secession OF
the states, in the belief that would in good
time. without the shedding of blood, become
reunited to fill the high destiny which God
seemed to have marked out for this nation. in
the interest Of enlightened civilization, is past
finding out
WAR THE ALTERNATIVE CHOSEN.
War was the alternative chosen. and the
flower Of American youth north and south of
the Potomac were mustered in armies to try
conclusions on the field of battle. Each army
sincerely and confidently invoked the divine
favor on the cause for which it fought. Not
only were our people divided as a r.ation, but
not infrequently members of the same family.
nav, of the same household, were pitted against
each other in deadly combat
We fought it out. The results of the conflict
what il brought in its train and left to plague
rs. has yet to be learned by experience in deal
ing with the new conditions created.
More than three decades have passed since
the battle flags were furled at Appomattox and
the supremacy of the Constitution acknowledged
and the authority Of the nation asserted through
all our border.
The world witnessed the unexampled spec
hcle OF vast armies, the survivors of the con-
fict, quietly returning to the pillow. the forge,
the mine, the Office. the counting room and
school to take up the duties of their several
peaceful avocations. But from every neighbor-
hood boys Of high promise and men of sterling
homes and OF many community was gone,
pnd society, the state and the nation sustained
IN irreparable loss by reason thereof.
WHAT WAR MEANS.
But war means wrecked homes, desolate
hearts and the decentralization of communities:
II leaves the trail of the serpent over all. But
u IL the price that was paid for national integ-
rity and the union Of the states. What dangers
u entailed our children will know; We may not
live to learn
The sacrifice was great, whatever of good has
Come as the result of the victory won.
II il was not rank heresy to insinuate such a
thing / would, Quaker as / am, i'll the light of
all that has TRANSFERRED since our differences
were referred to the arbitrament of battle
Venture to express q doubt whether any other
femedy might not, in the providence of God
have been better than the one we adopted; but to
this must add that no one can doubt that the
loftiest patriotism and the highest conception
OF duty guided our people in resorting to the
alternative they did, and the result today would
seem to justify the choice, albeit a higher in
telligence might have led us along paths of
peace to desirable results. But the
fathers did their duty as God gave them to
See it
II is clear that we can only partially compute
the loss we sustained, and still less can We
measure the effect OF the evil influences and
corrupt agencies that the war brought. and
which hnger with still.
That We could stand the loss of material
wealth even if it had been many times multi
piled we do not doubt; but whether we can
survive the wasting drain upon the national
manhood. the high moral force Of which il was
the living embodiment. and which was and
must ever be, the source of the nations health
ful strength. remains to be seen, since the final
effect Of that drain. though on every hand ap-
parent, cannot yet be known.
GAVE ITS BEST AND BRavEsr
Tho nation gave its best and bravest-not
best and bravest measured by the standard of
mere brute courage and savage endurance. but
by the higher ideal which tests the worth OF
noble men We gave these, the best and
bravest, to the sword. They lie buried here,
their graves are seen at Gettysburg. at Airing
ton, at the WILDERNESS. at Cornith and at Look
out Mountain. Pittsburg Landing; in fact, the
OLD commonwealth OF Virginia Is one broad
Sepulcher.
When we consider what the republic has re-
eeived into its political organization in ex-
change for her own noble Sons who went down
10 battle and returned no more. we may well
inquire whether there is not something more
II war to decay and perish in peace; whether
on the balance sheet which discloses the audit
OF good and i'll to the nation as a result of the
war and what has since come to us in its wake
NAV we not feel prompted to question the wis
dom on an appeal to the god of battles.
Whether, in fact, it shall be so will depend
upon the manner In which the present and the
coming generations serve the country in peace
Will they keep faithful watch and ward az
We heroes OF 6l-65. to whose devotion We pay
lao TGff prhr 70. Allo
How well our heroes are remembered IS at
tested by the fact that throughout the length
and breadth of this land upon this Memorial
day loyal and loving hands are strewing flowers
upol the graves of the nations patriot dead:
~ gettysburg, at Antietam, at Arlington, at
every cemetery between the oceans not only
the surviving soldiers Of the war are gathered
and with them their mothers. wives. sisters and
daughters. but each patriotic community Is
there TO attest their grateful remembrance of
Nose who went down TO battle for the nation
We have indeed tried. as urged by Lincoln AT
Gettysburg. to bind up the nations wounds
and TO care for those who bore the heat and
burden OF battle, and FOR their widows and or
Phans- In that behalf our people have nobly
Kept the faith. And here am impressed 70
pause and say that We cannot heal the nation $
wounds by availing ourselves of every oppor-
funity to tear those wounds afresh.
WHY ARE WE HERE?
just here 1t is fit aud timely to ask for what
purpose we are assembled. For what is this
memorial service? What good do we hope will
come of It? Is it for the quick or the dead?
submit that If we. the living actors here, do moi.
pront by the days service. it can serve 10 use-
fui purpose. To those who lie buried in the
graves upon which we strew flowers il il
nothing: they neither see nor hear. but are all
unconscious of what a. passing above them
whether through the lifted clouds that part
rs from the immortals they look down approy-
1ngiy L do not know; but this is certain. the
pulseless clay cannot be moved by all this
demonstration Hence l repeat for the living
not the dead Is this memorial service. 1t is for
Gus ennobiement not for the reDose of Tho
dead.
whether the grave be in some forgotten and
neglected spot, or is well kept and tended as
here. matters nothing to the soldiers who rest