The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1896-05-23
Memorial Day.


As the time draws near it becomes the
American people to stop and consider
their duty at this time. Year after year
we are called upon to devote one day
out of the three hundred and siXty-fve
to decorate the graves Of the veterans
of the great civil war who have passed
over the great divide and are safely
camped on the other side. The ranks
of the Grand Army of the Republic are
rapidly thinning out. \ few more
wears, not many more, and the last old
soldier will respond TO the roll call of
the God of all war and we will see him
no more in this life. 1t is fitting then
that Decoration Day should be held
sacred to the memory OF the departed
heroes who offered their lives on the
field of battle that their nations flag
might wave over every section Of our
country without single star obscured.
On this day lei the patriotic American
people turn their thoughts from the
every day cares of business and recall
the hardship and privation through
which the veteran soldier passed, in
epired by a mighty and holy love of his
flag and country which met and over
came every obstacle, that they and
their children might enjoy the bless
ings of united and prosperous nation.
When the call for soldiers came these
men left happy and prosperous homes,
wives, children, brothers and sisters
and marched straight TO the front, stop
ping only to bid a hasty farewell which
was destined in many cases to be the
last farewell to those they loved. They
came from the farm, from the shops,
the mill, the store, the professional and
every other walk oflife. Men were not
slow to respond to the country's needs,
but dropped their work at once and fell
into the ranks and with Old Glory ever
before their eyes endured the hard
ships of four years in war that the
union might be preserved. Many of
them died on the battle field and sleep
today in unknown but not unhonored
graves. They gave their life's blood in
true American is warm with love for
their memory. The least we can do
now Is to meet together one day in the
year and with tender loving hands
scatter the choicest flowers offspring on
the graves of the honored dead, and
while we honor the dead let US not for
get the living, but ever be ready to ex-
tend a helping hand to the veterans
and their families who are still with us.
\ kindly act or a single expression OF
our love for them and acknowledgment
of the benefits which they secured for
us will do much to smooth the way and
brighten the remainder of their days.
Let Memorial Day be observed in Su-
perior as it should be observed all over
this broad country of ours. 1t is not a
dav for amusements, and should not be
given over to horse racing, bicycle rae
ing, ball games and like sports. but
rather let it be devoted to serious medi-
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and Stripes, to the Nation and to our
selves, that the spark of patriotism in
every citizens breast may burn brighter
and that We may the better perpetuate
the memory of the lives of those both
living and dead who sacrificed so much
that the life of the nation might be
preserved.
The time has come when citizens
generally should take more interest in
the proper observance of Decoration
Day. 1t is too often left entirely in the
hands of the old soldiers many Of whom
are getting too old to be expected to
take the lead in such matters, and the
work and responsibility should be lift
ed from .heir shoulders. Many com
munitie. have committees appointed
ana funds provided for this purpose
and the arrangements are made en-
tirely by those outside of the G.. A. Il.
and Superior should not fall behind in
this respect.
The people who cannot trust the
county clerk 5 record of the Board of
Supervisors had better attend the SEES
sion in person. \ paid stenographer
might require watching as well as the
members of the Board. Such open
avowafs of distrust do not tend to inn
prove or purify our politics and we are