Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-05-25

tNSigWhcIct unu lehCneh us IN hlmOsJ
constant lessons their use in this d.
rection. After an elemental passion
has swept over the land, devastating
fields, uprooting forests and destroy.
ing human habitations, then comes the
gentle south wind, dropping invisible
seeds from out its fragrant wings
and 10, in but little while the poor.
Scared surface OF the earth, 80
gashedand bare, Ia once more healed and
rounded and mnde whole Its wounds
become only n memory, and flowers
bloom and grasses wave where all was
bleak, and drcar, and dcsolatc. So
when the mighty earth Is aroused by
It's own passions aud the giant hills
are rent nsundcr 10 leave yawning
chasm, waste of drearincss, the sun
softly kisses tho snow upon the
mountain top, and through that desc
late canyon a stream flashes and dances
and sings, making even the barren,
blackeucd sides of the prccipice
trcmble with laughter and music.
Ambitions Of men inspired them TO
unholy conflict. They flew at the
throat Of the mother country, wound
ing her surcly before the strife was
done; but, when IL passed and peace
was come again, there came also the
messengers Of song and bloom to drown
the memories Of battlefield and hide the
sears covering the nations breast,
What IL more beautiful than the
gnnrled aud rugged hand of the vet
Gran, disiirurcd by wounds, shrunltcn
with age, dropping from its trembling
inWcrs the flowers 81 love upon the
grave 81 recent foe? Decoration day
Itself Is Of but short duration, yet II
symbolilcs II feeling that rounds the
year even as the Ave Maria or the An.
gclu, cirrlce the world, for the evening
~ the first ringing Is the morning
Of the last prayer "Whcn Johupy
Cnm,s Marching Home" or ",larching
Through Georgia" may not he grand
In themselves rs mr., the more stately
chimes uf the old masters. but when they
are inspired by the love and tcndgrne ~
that Hll the day Of forgiveness they
become holy. Aud they are truly
American.
In oldcn times the conqucror led his
| captured enemy back to hig camp,
loaded him with chains aud set him at
worl, to grind the wheat which was
never To pass his lips, or 10 weave the
beautiful lnccs which he was never To-
wear To-day there IL no war of con.
! quest. and the remnant of that saw.
agcry which eliminated In our late
| civil strife gave TO peace It's sweetest
| possible assurance In the words Of the
| conqucror, who said to his subjected
focmcn: go back 10 your plows,
your workshops, your Offices. We are
brothers still"
Memorial day H. not day for hiluri-
GUS rejoicing, neither should II be one
Of fndncss, but only sweet aud peace
ful meditation; day Ia which we feel
| that not only natures children but ma
| turc herself has given up her music
/ and her bloom 20 drown the discord
| and hide the scars Of passionate con
| Gict; "A day In which wc may invoke
the spirit Of our common country and
all her children sing:
Columbia strip thy blossomcd Rroyosi
Make bankrupt all thy b0wcrsl
The sword that drank The nations blood
To-day Is sheathol IN flowers.
Der yordant plains thy children run
Fun handed with tly bloom,
Ana noIlh and south clasp hands above
ono common hCro't0mb
Columbia Freedoms quConly child
Dear mother ~ our race
Sweet hope draws all.Huatalnlng strength
From thy o'crsmiIlu" face,
And In the blossoms At NJ MAY"
we drowned tue ftnlllf Must
Ana meet once more "a l.iusnen true
Beside "a kinsmanB dust
Columbian grandest goddess thou
That ever temple hlClt,
For twenty million hnrB have drunk
Sweet freedom from Thy breast
And from Thy hands ouutrctchod In peace
Bright gnrlands IAN to-day
A fragrant shower. 10 rest alike
Upon the blue ana gray
CHARLES EUGENE BANKa