The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-31

and we are correspondingly happy
Yesterdays Parade.
II there is one feature more crafty
ing than another in connection with
The anniversary COMMUNICATED so fit
tingly yesterday, in spite Of unfavor-
able weather, it is the participation Of
tbs Young in those instructive memo-
rial exercises. II is well. of course,
that adult civilians, through their va
Iious peace organizations, should pay
n pubic token of respect to the mem
ory of those volunteer soldiers of
three decades ago whose practical he
roism, on southern battle fields, made
possible the happy conditions under
which We nowadays flourish. The ap.
pearance Of these organizations, in the
liue OF parade. occasioned qualification
and contributed to the impressivaness
of m always impressive observance.
Their membership stands as one of the
conspicuous pledges Of what the loyal
citizenship of today would do in de-
fence Of the flag should its honor again
call for determined volunteers.
Not less gratifying was the creditable
showing made by local representatives
of the Pennsylvania National Guard,
occupying a medal position between
men who make war or the possibility of
war the basis of an exclusive profess
ion and men who, in the fancied secur-
ity of unthreatened peace, give no
thought to dangers rs yet unseen, this
branch of the militia is not only a pru-
dent precaution. considered philosophi-
cally, but it is in downright practice,
the very finest aud truest expression OF
this president popular forethought that
we have. Its representation in a Me-
mortal Day cortege by the crack COM
panies OF the banner militia regiment
IN the United States. marching with
the precision of a perfect machine, i'm
parted a realism TO this "Reminiscences
Of war time that was singularly in
keeping with the tenor of the days
suggestions. "They look like fighters,
not like carpet knights, was the com.
pliment which this regiment won from
II distinguished spectator during one Of
its notable psrades. And it was in this
potentially as fighters, ready to DO
their whole duty when required, that
these expert militia men fitted most
appropriately into an honorable asso-
citation with those earlier heroes Of the
great rebellion who. in their day, were
The fighters and not the carpet knights
of the republics crucial epoch.
Another division Of yesterdays pa.
geantry called mp memories of deep
Significance. We trust we are NOT
guilty Of an excess of sentiment when
we confess that a detachment of veter-
ans never passes nS that we do not look
to see those who are in sight uncover
their heads in comp liment to the ma
tiou's defenders. The inexorable de =
crease wrought these ranks by the re.
lentlsssness Of the hying years was yes
terday again wildly brought into evil
dence, Where once march hundreds
there now march Of groups of ten; and
even these totter sometimes with in
trinity or shake with the palsy Of age.
1t is impossible for men with a true
perception of the significance of things
10 view these annual pilgrimages Of
our surviving soldiery to the tombs Of
brother heroes beside which they must
all soon take their honored final sleep
without experiencing a profound sense
of melancholy, and a renewed depth Of
gratitude and revsrential regard.
Amid such inspirations as these it is
like passing from the solsmnity Of the
sepulchre out into the glorious and
joyous open to rest the eye and feast
the mind on columns of happy child.
rem, trooping with ehRplsts of flowers
and tributes Of song to the place where
their heroic forefsthers sleep. We are
are glad to recognize this, the crown
ing glory Of Memorial Day. 1t invig-
crates us to know that in this direction
Of our young amid the atmosphere Of
reverence and contagious influences Of
true patriotism we are building for tho
future a resource inestimable. 1t is a
source of honest pride to realize that in
this exhibited relationship between
honorable death and hopeful birth we
have in miniature the story Of our ma
tioual progress and the resume Of our
civic vitality. Such an object lesson
rs this is not on exhibition in any other
county on the face Of the globe. We
alone have made it a possibility and a
fact From 1t we deduce the success
OF the republic and gather strength
and incentive for the varied battles
that are to come.