The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1895-06-07

who perished that this nation might
not be destroyed, merits the fullest
measure OF our gratitude and love: es-
pecially is this due to him who in the
ranks, without the stimulus of fame:
without the expectation OF remem-
brance or reward: in the rush and roar
OF battle or the equal dangers of the
camp, faithfully did his duty, and died
unhonored and unsung.
During this festival of flowers we will
not forget the few whose names are
written upon the rolls ofTame. but our
rarest gifts of art and song belong to
the memory of the many who, in the
solitude of individual obscurity. stood
calmly in the line of duty, while de-
mons of destruction hovered low above
the field and all air was hot with the
breath of death.
In the conflict doubtless some were
more worthy than others: since the
conflict closed some have been less
worthy than otheLs: possibly few
were, and have been, wholly worthless
1t matters not. The great crisis re-
quired and received its adequate meas
ure OF blood and tears Today we re-
cognize the sacrifice, realize its benefits
and in our heart OF hearts we revere
the memory of those who died, and
honor those who have survived. what
ever may have been their individual
contributions to the courage and con-
sequences Of the civil war
| Conspicuous courage is commendable
under all circumstances. Mankind has
admired bravery in all ages. Imagine.
II you will, half naked savage fastened
to the stake: about his brown body the
hot flames cling like the folds of gilt
tering garment: night is made hideous
by the hellish howls of his unfeeling
captors the fire slowly eats its way
through the tibers of his living
flesh: his pain is indescribable, yet he
smiles with stolid indifference and
makes no murmur of complaint. We
know he is suffering only what he him
sell would lnllict: that he is receiving
but the recompense Of his own brutal
conduct: we realize that he deserves to
die: deserves death in the manner of
its certain coming. We realize all this
and still our hearts are thrilled with
admiration of his splendid courage and
calm endurance
OF the countless crimes revealed by
history, possibly none is more infamous
than Cortez' conquest of Mexico.
Viewed in the light of our later and
better civilization, his conduct must be
regarded with unspeakable adherence.
His destruction of that peculiarly in
terestlng people was without the slight
est Justification. Notwithstanding this
who can refrain from admiring the in
trepid valor of that greedy spaniard
and his mercenary followers.
However improper the motive, or un-
just the cause. courage commands re-
spect. The Gods despise, humanity
hates coward.
But when the actors in any OF earth S
important dramas are possessed of in
tellectual culture. and are engaged in a
cause which commends itself to the con-
siderate judgment of mankind, the
manifestations of their courage and de-
votion are entitled to the highest praise.
Such was the character of the soldiers
comprising the Union army in the civil
war. Such the cause in which they
conquered.
We honor you, gentlemen. as surviv-
ors OF that war. not because YOU repre-
sent the victories of standing armies
directed by the tyranny of kings or the
greed of conquest. But rather because
you represent the courage aud conse-
quences Of war which was waged by
volunteer citizen soldiery against vol
unteer citizen soldiery: war waged bv
armies composed of the flower of Amer
lean manhood against armies of like
splendid material: because YOU repre-
sent the courage of culture and refine
ment: the courage of high intellectual
devotion: the courage Of our country
| men.
| Beyond this, the cause for which YOU
fought was altogether righteous
| The declaration of American inde-
pendence was a capital transaction in
human affairs: it was the promulgati
OF new gospel of civil liberty. Sue
ce5sful revolution made of it one of the
most important events in history. The
thought of separate national existence
was realized More than one hundred
years Of marvellous results have magni-
fed splendid intellectual conception.
Therefore it is not strange that the day
which witnessed it's formal announce
ment has become sacred wherever men
and women are capable of cherishing
the blessings Of civil and religious lib
erty.
The declaration was defended with
courage and devotion. The charter of
our liberties was sealed with the blood
OF brave men and the tears of noble
women.
Throughout all nature. life and death
go hand in hand: from out the ruins of
today will spring tomorrow's life and
beauty: and throughout all the history
OF the race destruction and development
have gone hand in hand Today be-
meath cloudless sky, on the flower
fringed banks of some placid stream.
the earth all smiles and gladness, two
armies meet and amid the clash of
arms, the thunder OF artillery, wrapped
in dense clouds of smoke. thousand S
rush blindly on to death. Tomorrow
the wild flowers are trampled in the
earth, the stream runs red with blood
and the broken engines of destruction
lie scattered all around but from off
that field of sacrifice. strewn with its
dead and dying, rises cloud of sweetest
incense, which, floating down the ages,
is destined to nurture the tree Of liberty