The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-05-30

M ONE, gather today from the hill and the
Ms Leave your life's daily toll and your plan
W. ming for gain;
Come hlther with all that is faireSt and best
To-Day on the graves of our heroes at rest;
Our heroes, above whose low dwellings today
nation has gathered. its tribute to pay:
Bring music, and songs, and the falrest OF
From the garden, and field and the cool wood
For the graves that we garland the altar shall be
Where our vows we renew DER the dust OF the
All over our land they are lying asleep
By the ocean. whose waves still their sad vigil
keep,
SO often was red with the blood of the brave
By the mountains-where Kenesaw guarded
the glen
Or Lookout. whose cloud summit
one day
Saw battle where blood ran like wine in the
From the homes which they loved their graves
lie afar,
Who died that our banner might miss not one
star,
Where the shadows of battle fell darkly and
chill
Stand the cities of Silence, all lonely and still;
No sentinel guards the cold white-gleaming
The soldier, unarmed, lies there helpless and
Still robed in the blue which he honored so we'll,
We know of the spirit so valiant and brave,
Whose glory is hid in the gloom of the grave;
But never a mortal can measure or know
What hopes of the living lie buried below.
Alas. for the joy which had grown with the years
There's many a mother who knows not what
grave
Hides the face of her first-born. his hairs sunny
And many wife who knows not today
Where her hero is sleeping the glad years away.
oh, the % dreams they had dreamed OF future
Which those who are sleeping should bless and
should share.
But the sun OF their hopes set in darkness aad
And the shadows grew deeper through all the
when the echoes of cannon from Sumter were
Into line sprang our soldiers, nor waited word
Sad farwells were spoken, and prayers softly
When they left us to swell the long ranks of the
Oh, little we knew. as they marched on their way
Where their footsteps would turn, or how long
Beside them % walked specters like demons un
Grim famine and fever. and murder enraged;
The red fields OF battle lay tmek IN IN tneir % way
But their eyes were holden-they knew not thel
Nor knew that they marched toward wideopel
They dreamed of the time when with beat of tn
And clamor of fife they should conquerng come
When the deeds they had done should by poet
be told,
And sung when we sing of the heroes of old,
When the country they rescued should gree
them with cheers,
And the eyes that they loved should brm owe
with tears
Tears of 10y and of pride-alas! they were she
Over names in the lists OF the missing and deaC
o silent Grand Army!-Our pulses may thrill
When we tell of your deed-yours are boodles
and STILL
Not even the garlands we bring you today
Can move the strong arms that are folded Tor aye
The bugles loud blare and the drums mufe
beat
Cannot reach the sealed ear. nor move the sti
feet:
Not even the voice of country could stir
The heart which once thrObbed with devOto
for her.
We honor not you. o dead heroes today.
But ourselves when our laurelS above you "
lay.
For your names shall grow brighter with lustl
untold
When the wreaths that we bring you are turne
into mold
And we claim you, and mourn you, o soldiers
ours,
And the voice of our love is these beautf
flowers.
Till the last roll is called and we all answ
Here
We will garland your graves in the morn of II
year.
And each flower that we gather with reverel
Is an " oath to remember the deeds you ha
Deeds which shall live till remembrance sh;
cease.
And bourgeon and bloom into ages of peace
River Falls Journal