The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-06-09
MEMORIAL ADDRESS
OF CAPT. JAS. BOYD Robson AT THE
COURT HOUSE, BLOOMSBURY, MAY
80, 1893.


rLEMEN:-It is just twenty FIVE years,
a quarter of a century, since had the
honor of inaugurating the first obser-
vance Of Decoration day in Blooms
burg. In the forenoon set the type
and printed the posters inviting the
assistance of the citizens who, in the
afternoon, responded with an abun.
dance Of flowers at Snyder's Hall.
From there we proceeded to the GENE.
tery and decorated the graves.
This is day of memories; proud
memories Of heroic deeds and noble
sacrifices sad memories of loved
ones gone, of bereaved widows, parents
and friends. Yet looking around and
seeing these youths with their strength
and life, and their bright and hopeful
eyes, the sadness of the heart is cheer.
ed at sight of present joys and pleas
ant anticipations of the future.
/ believe that in all the pages of
lfe's story, there are no recollections
and no experiences that will kindle
the eye and warm the blood like those
of that period when youth, having
reached full stature, is entering, with
light and joyous step, that transition
period into the maturity of manhood
From sixteen to twenty five is the
diamond age of humanity. From the
time when the bashful boy first ven
lures to pay his respects to the maid
ems until with his chosen mate he set.
ties into the quiet of domestic life and
the cares of business, joyous and light
hearted, his outlook on life sparkles
with the brightest expectations his
frolics and pleasures are then the gay
est, and his hopes and aspirations the
strongest. The disappointments and
bitterness Of the sterner struggles of
real life have not yet dimmed the lustre
of success. The present is merry and
the future is bright. Enjoy it while
you may. Every generation before
you has had the same happy period.
Human nature repeats itself, if not
exactly the same, yet as near alike as
the tree of to-day is like its kind of a
thousand years ago.
1t was more than thirty years ago,
when the youth of this land were call
ed upon to give up these joys and
pleasures of home. The average age
of the volunteers who responded to
the calls of the government was less
than twenty years.
The drafts brought in older men,
but the average even then was less
than twenty three. The great battles
that saved this union were fought by
almost beardless boys. There were
more of them in their teens than be
yond that age. Life was as bright to
them and as joyous as to any of these
sons Of veterans or of these students
The demands Of patriotism callee
them from the college, the school, the
shop and the farm. They gave W
the pleasures and pastimes of youth
for the stern realities of war. You
cannot fully appreciate that sacrifice
God forbid that you ever shall
Until the crisis came the belief hat
become fixed that the day had passeC
when Americans should be called up
on to defend their government witt
the weapons Of war. Christian senti
ment and popular government hat
been building the edihce Of perpetua
peace. The era of liberty, of peac'
and good will throughout the land ant
to all the inhabitants thereof had beef
fully established from the day the oil
liberty bell had rung out its exultan
challenge to tyranny.
But suddenly the nation was awaken
ed to the fact that the millennium wa
still far away. The boys accepted tn
responsibility. No more home cares:
the maiden's welcome, the frolic an
the dance. Boys became men. Tn
glowing patriotism matured the youth
They took up the duties Of the soldier
Do you know what those duties were
No You may read Of them or pic
ture them as you sit in easy chair
home. You may play at them i
home drill and picnic camp, but yo
cannot see the reality. Think of tn
weary marches. Load yourself wit
so or 60 lbs. of baggage and 90 ou
under the burning sun. Foot sor
and weary plod along at will, for hou
after hour and you are engaged il
child's play as compared with tn
forced tramp of wearled lines @
thousands of homeless, houseless boys
in dust and heat, or through wind, raj
and storp, in driving sleet and chi
winds lying down in wet clothing O
wet ground with no cover but tn
canopy of heaven, days, weeks, months
years. Don't long for the comfort
of home Bite into the hard brea
and fat pork in contentment for mex
day unfed by delayed stores you ma
have to go hungry into battle. An
when the battle comes, with its Shrek
ing shell and whistling bullet, with