Middletown transcript., 1893-05-27
THE NATION TO sTRE1y FLOWERS
DER IT'S DEPARTED DEAD.
THE MESSAGES OF PEACE
Memorial Day and Its Sacred signiff-
nance-Next Tuesdays Celebra-
tions-Let our Citizens Join in Do
ing Honor to Those who Yielded
Up Their Lives That Our Nation
Might be Kept Intact.

An exchange commenting on Decoration
10 Day, says:
Twenty-eight years have passed since th
white winged messenger of peace came t
: take the place of war and bloodshed
i During that time a new generation hav,
taken their places on the great stage of tn,
world, and are now sustaining their part
! in the great drama of life. The infants O
that time are the fathers and mothers O.
> the present, and while they look back, OF
which our country was passing through
its terrible baptism of fire and blood, can
thank God that these times are passed, and
that peace reigns supreme.
During that frightful struggle tens OF
thousands of men yielded up their lives,
while of those who returned many were
crippled with wounds or suffering with
disease or disability contracted in the
service, consequently since April, 1866,
many thousands have passed down the
deep, dark valley to return no more. And
still they co. and the number is increasing
year by year. but their memories are
sacred to those who are left and impressed
with this thought. Major General John
A. Logan. who at the time was commander
in chief of the Grand Army, issued his
famous order May S, 1868. fixing May 30 of
every year as a time for strewing flowers on
soldiers graves.
1t was fitting that the time should be set
i'll May; when all nature is bursting into
life and beauty, reminding every thoughtful
person of the time when all these bodies
shall rise, endowed with everlasting life.
| Consequently Memorial Day hasa deep and
sacred significance to the veterans recalling
memories of their comrades who have
passed away and carrying the mind back
to the scenes of strife. They remember
| how they met these men on the tented
| field, and how they saw their heroism and
bravery tested in the midst of carnage and
death, listened to their songs of glee around
the campfire, shared with them the canteen
and blanket and stood with them on the
deadly picket line, and unseen by other
eyes the surviving comrades again touch
elbows with those who have passed away
on Memorial Day.
Almost every tombstone, head board or
slab which marks the resting place of
soldier, teffs the story that somebody's nus
band left wife and little ones or some
body's boy parted from mother and home
over thirty years ago to become warrior
in defense of his home and country, and if
the dear old mother still lives she cannot
even in her declining years blot from her
memory the bright young face, as warmed |
with patriotic fire he bade her goodbye, |
to return no more. These are the feelings |
which actuate the remaining soldiers, |
annually to visit their comrades graves
and strew upon them the first offerings of |
spring. But each year there are more
graves to decorate and fewer hands to do |
the work, and ere long their places will |
have to be taken by their sons
Next Tuesday, the day will be observed
wherever there is a Post of the Grand
Army in this country, and while strewing
the flowers let every old soldier remember
that he is one year nearer his place under
the mound, and with that thought bury
all old animosities, and in the words Of the
immortal Grant exclaim from his heart
Let us have peace"
There is tender and pathetic story of
two soldiers, who, during the war, resolved
to kill each other. One was in the Union
army and the other was in the Confederate.
~ = A.. L. |
in deadly strife, both fell, almost blind
ed with each others blood. As they lay
upon the ground, with the crimson
streams of life oozing rapidly away, they
engaged in conversation as best they could.
They spoke of their homes, and of wives
and children they would never see again
they spoke of their aged mothers and
loving sisters looking forward to the time
when the cruel war would cease and they
would retuSn, and well they knew they
would never look in the faces of their
loved ones again this side of the dividing
river of DEATH
The dying soldiers, the blue and the
gray. dragged themselves as best they
could, each toward the other. every move
ment covering the grass with their life's
blood. The Union soldier said
I'VE have fought bravey and soon we
must stand before the bar of God,
but ere we close our eyes upon the
world forever, let us forgive each
other"
The Southern soldier tried to speak, but
the sound died away from his parched lips,
yet mastering his little remaining strength,
for life was almost gone, he touched the
hand of fallen foe, and died with radiant
smile of forgiveness resting OH his face.
And when the angles Of morning pushed
back the rosy curtains of the east, they saw
two faces cold in death, and as pale as wax,
with two hands tightly clasped, and now
from the thousands of graves of soldiers
chastened and purified by sorrow, and their
virtues glorifed by death, there comes no
voice of hatred or revenge, but if they
could speak, their voices in one chorus
would simultaneously shout:
'Rise above the smoke and dust, the
cloud and fog of sectional strife, and live
in the serene and stainless air of charity
divine" r.
Therefore let each old soldier bury every
animosity on this sacred day and if there
is the grave Of Confederate soldier in any
of the cemeteries deck it with flowers, for
all are brothers now ready to do and if need
be die in defence of the old flag. Remem-
Der that under that cold sod there rests the
remains of one who once enjoyeda mothers
love, and if she has passed away and can
look down upon this world her disembodied
spirit will rejoice that after many years the
spot where rests all that is mortal
of her lover boy has at last been honored, !