New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-30
MEMORIAL Dd y.

Memorial Day Is more and more widely cele-
bratcd from wear 10 year. but not in the spirit
which once made it peculiarly sacred ami
vcrsary Even in the regard of those now Nv
ing whom the Civil War most deeply bereaved
IL is a day Of proud and tender memories rather
than Of bitter grief. for time has in great meas
ure healed their wounds. In the thoughts ana
feelings Of the multitude it Is holiday. coming
az lovely and celebrating season of the year
and to be utilized for purposes of amusement
Doubtless some survivors OF the terrible str'ig
gle whose sacrifices il commentaries are paihed
by the general joyousness of the day, ana eS-
pcciallv by boisterous frivoties which seem 10
them an almost blasphem0us reputation on me
sentiments which II designed TO SIGNIFY
and foster Such feeling on the part OF those
who have II is ineligible and 10 be respected
But still they cannot reasonably suppose that
II will be generally shared; indeed, II will inevi-
tablv grow weaker and less prevalent as the
years 20 by.
A large proportion Of those who are doing
the active work OF the world have been born
since the close Of the war. They have never
felt a sense Of personal afilicton in the losses
, and sorrows OF that period. and in thousands
of cases the springs Of sympathy have scarcely
even been touched In their thoughts the Var
for the Union Is Il remote heroic event. like the
Revolution and an Indictment 10 pride ana
exultation rather than 10 mourning. Ihflr
knowledge Of It's achievements. acquired by
reading and conversation. though made more
reol nerhaps bv faint rccollcctions, Is csseh'hi
lv historical Ii excrts. no doubt. an influence
/ nnon their minds and lives, and Is Indeed a
potent force in perpetuatng the principles ana
| traditions OF patriotism. But the day which
WAS consecrated TO the dead more than quar-
fer Of century ago does and can no longer
summon n Nation Of mourners to their graves
! II is a holiday. welcome relief from labor, an
/ invitation to the woods and fields, al oppor-
! tunity for rest, for enjoyment and Tor ieIoW-
! ship.
And SO the uses Of Memorial Day have been
gradually diversified by a process as natural
as if was inevitable. And leaving out OF con
sderation the incidental license which leisure
ALWAYS breeds. and which by association ~
doubtless more offensive at certain times ana
| nlaces than at others we do not think That the
evolution Of this anniversary should provoke
| consure or regret The individual Is mercifully
nernittcd by the law Of bis being TO lay down
| tho burden of his own bcrcavements III he
were not. and especially II his sorrows were
| communicated to the race, the world would be
intoleraby gloomy. No prosperous nation winch
has ESCAPED dshonor can or should remain III
mourning long And therefore. while we may
hope and believe that the survivors OF the wal
whose hearts still bleed for those they loved ahd
lost will share the reverent sympathy or mill
ions TO their latest days, and that the time VIII
never become when the memory OF those VINO
gave the last full measure OF devotion VIII
not evoke the fruitful tribute OF gratitude and
emulation, there Is reason TO regret tha'
Memorial Day is a day OF gladncss and not o.