The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-05-31

strength of the Union army have been
! brought to bear directly against the
thing like equal terms, the power Of
the confederacy would have been
crushed at a single blow. But that
was impossible and the war dragged
on through the years.
Can Afford to Be Generous.
The soldiers of the Union can
afford to be generous. They wit
messed the complete triumph OF
their cause. They have seen the
! shackles struck from the limbs of an
unfortunate race, and the American
Republic made in fact what it had so
| long been in name, 1.-The land of the
/ free and the home of the brave"
They have seen their country saved
/ and redeemed, its gorgeous standard
honored and respected the wide world
over. They can now see 100000 OF
/ their countrymen with one accord
marching on and ever on in the full
fillment of their grand destiny.
This is enough for US, and without
the slightest feeling of bitterness, in
the name of the Grand Army of the
Republic I welcome you one and all!
Welcome to the gray-haired survivors
Of the Mexican War-that sturdy
band of heroes who under the leader
ship of Scott and Taylor and Worth
and Wool and Conner gave TO us the
shining empire of the Pacific, and to
whose splendid courage we are in
debted for the very ground upon which
we stand.
Hail to the boys in blue from Fort
Douglas who, with their battle-scarred
veteran commander, taking part
in these exercises in their own
grounds. 1t is fitting that they should
participate representing as they do the
military arm of the government for
the preservation of which the Grand
Army of the Republic fought in the
days of long ago. May they draw in
SEPARATION from what they see and
hear, and as they behold the depth of
a great nations gratitude to its de-
tenders, may it fill their hearts and
minds with the noblest impulses. MAX
ing them better soldiers, better citi-
zens and better men.
The National Guard.
Welcome to the National Guard of
Utah, the citizen soldiers of the terri
tory, who have so kindly acted as our
escort on this occasion. AS 1 gaze
upon their youthful faces my thoughts
run backward through a vista of more
than thirty years and 1 see in fancy
the veterans of the Grand Army of
the Union as young and boyish as
themselves. l remember that the
greatest battles have been fought,
that the greatest victories have been
won and that the grandest deeds of
heroism have been performed by
beardless, STRIPPING boys.
l trust that the day is far distant
when these young men or any others
in this land will be called upon to re-
ceive a. baptism of fire in defense of
the American flag; but should such an
ordeal come / fervently hope and con-
fdently believe that they will prove
themselves worthy sons of illustrious
sires. We are glad to have them with
US, and extend to them d soldiers
greeting.
Woman's Relief Corps.
Welcome to the Womans Relief
Corps, the faithful auxiliary of the
Grand Army of the Republic. With the
same spirit of devotion which charac-
terized them during the war and made
them the soldiers dearest friends, in
these halcyon days of peace they have
Joined with US heart and hand in
everything pertaining to the soldiers
welfare. For all that they have done
and all they expect to do for US here
after we thank them over and over
again.
w lHIlCe welcome TO the llI-
tie childreni With them rests the fu-
ture of our country. republic can
only live upon the patriotism Of it's
people. In the minds of the young the
seeds of loyalty should be sown, for
there they may bloom into immortal
life and beauty when the years of man
hood and womanhood come. Let the
little ones drink deep draughts of pure
patriotism. Let them learn the real
EiOnifioo Of 81
them the value of our free institutions
and what it has cost to maintain
them, and come what may the nation
will never call for defenders in vain.
And while extending this general
welcome. another thought strikes me.
Nearly a third of century has rolled
into times mighty ocean since the roar
Of that great conflict was hushed.
More than half of the boys in blue,
then so full of life and hope,
have gone from us forever.
The youngest survivor is now
a midle aged man, while many of
them are old and feeble and gray.
Soon they will all be as cold and silent
as those whose graves we look upon
today. But this ceremony should not
be permitted to die. What could be
more appropriate than that in the
glorious spring time when the lev fet-
when the birds sing their sweetest,
the flowers bloom their brightest and
ali nature is clothed in her richest
garb, one day should be set apart as
sacred to the memory of the wearied
soldiers who have crossed the dark
valley and entered the realms of eter-
nifty beyond. The American people
owe it to themselves to preserve the
beautiful custom as long as the re-
public shall live.
My friends I shall detain you but
moment longer. A few of our COM
rades lie in this lovely spot and in the
other grounds that we have visited to-
day. Upon these graves we have laid
the little tokens of our remembrance
in a spirit of fraternity, charity and
loyalty and love.
In recognition of these services and
In honor of the cause for which they
fought. the loyal citizens of Salt Lake
city have erected and dedicated this
monument. Upon it we bestow our
most fervent blessings. Here may it
endure while the centuries come and
co. Beaten by the tempest, washed
by the gentle shower and bathed in
the incense of spring-in sunshine and
in shadow-faithful as the uncon-
scious sleepers themselves, may it
stand like a mighty sentinel and guard
their suImbers as with an angels
hand,
Sleep, then, my comrades, wherever
Gsrh Mnad9neso