The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-06-03
MEMORIAL DAP!


1t has become national custom to
observe the 30th of May of each year
as day in which the deeds of the he
roes of the last war shall receive ap-
propriate mention and their graves be
decked with flowers. The observance
has bscome of such universal accept
ance that not only the last resting
place of soldiers receive floral tributes,
but those of relatives and friends
share like offerings. Thus it has be-
come memorial day for all classes, in
which the sacred remembrance of the
dead usurp all others, and when the
deeds and words of those who have
crossed to the silent shore are re-
hearsed by loving lips.
In its national significance the les
sons to be learned are those of loyalty
to the government and abiding faith
in the permanency Of free institutions,
and these will be impressed upon the
minds of young and old by the ritual
istic ceremonies of the G. A. r. and
the appropriate addresses delivered on
the occasion. Sufficient time has
elapsed since the last gun was fred in
the war of the rebellion fer sectional
bitterness to be eradicated from the
hearts of all, and, while the memory
of those who died that the nation
might live should never become dim
or obscure in the breast of any patriotic
citizen, the battles should not be
fought over again or the rancorous
hatred revived. The cause for which
they fought has been triumphant, and
the generous victors should extend for
giveness to their foes and cover the
past with the pail of forgetfulness.
There is one nation now, the south
and the north are equal members
of the union, and it is to be
hoped are aetuated by the same patri-
otlc devotion to common flag and
common country. 1t is almost impos-
sible that such condition of aff4irs
could exist again as it did from '6l to
'65, and the teachings of Decoration
Day forces it farther into the region of
improbahllities. A purer government,
freer from the Vaccinations of politi-
clans, and the safeguards around the
freedom of the ballot box stronger and
more enduring, should be the earnest
wish of every true American citizen,
and this should be especially so as
with grateful hearts they bend over
the narrow chambers of the honored
dead tomorrow.
As family memorial occasion,
grass. covered graves of many years
ago and newly made ones of yes
terday will be bent over by fearful
eyes, and flowers of love and remem-
brance will be placed upon the cod.
For this day, at least, the departed
will occupy the thoughts of the living,
and mothers and sons, and husbands
and wives, though separated perhaps
for years, will be united by the ever
lasting bonds of affection. It is day
for peace and love, for tears and pray
ers, for kind thoughts and hallowed
memories; when emnity and strife,
slander and treachery, greed and sell
fshness should be driven from every
breast And, as with reverent, affec-
tionate feelings, the graves are visited, |
each one should remember that the |
"living of today are the dead of to-
morrow" and memorial day should
thus become one in which the soul of |
every one should rise in a more earn
est endeavor to reach the noblest and |
purest in human life and charactsr.