Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-06-10


Of the battle; not in the splendid and
lasting victories won.
| At the close of the war the ques-
toned was asked, what will be done
with the army? What shall we do
with the half million or more victori-
Gus troops" Four years before, the
! important question was,-HoW shall
we change peaceable citizens into
efficient soldiers? Now the question
was-How shall we transform large
armyof victorious soldiers into peace
full citizens? Four years training in
the camp and in the field, was mott
best preparation for the quiet, orderly
life Of an American citizen. Other
nations had suffered from the eX-
ccsses of victorious troops. Rome's
legions. when flushed with victory,
were often Il greater terror to the
state than her foreign enemies. Eu-
ropeans, looking across the ocean,
said, the young republic has now the
greatest army in the world. Is it
possible for her to maintain such an
army, or dare she disband it. Those
who were not acquainted with our
institutions could not understand
that those who make the best citi-
Zens MAKE the best soldiers; they
could not understand that a man
who goes out to fight for his own
home and the honor of his country,
is far more dangerous enemy than
the mere hireling who fights for so
many dollars day, or that some
pretender may wear crown. For
eigners looked on with interest, and
with establishment, as the veterans,
fresh from tho fields of victory, pass
ed in review in the nations capital;
and almost while they looked, the
army was gone. Those splendid or
CARNATIONS, 50 well equipped, so
thoroughly drilled. so fully conscious
of the great work done, so we'll salts
fled to leave the remaining work in
the hands of their trusted servants,
melted away, and the armies Of the
union were no more. Where had they
gone? Back to the farm and the
shop, to the school and the store,
whence they came. Back to loved
ones who, for long years, had waited
and watched, hoped and prayed, for
their success and safety. Back to the
peaceful avocations they had so re-
luctantly left. Back to the homes
to enjoy the liberties, the rights. they
|
arts of peace, to show, as they have
shown to the world, that the bravest
American soldier makes the best
American citizen. Their work was
done and they were entitled to rest.
Theirs to enjoy their well won vic
tories. Theirs to be proud of the old
flag baptised in the reddest and pur-
est of American blood. Theirs to
echo their brave commanders beau
tiful words, Let us have peace
| Theirs to sit in the old home, to tell
the tales of war and recount the
stories of battles and privations, of
suffering and longing, of captures
and escapes, that the soldier only
knows. Theirs to receive a nations
gratitude and Il nations richest re-
wards. No wonder, then, that as
time goes by, the survivors like to
meet around camp fires and recall
old memories. No wonder that those
who stood side by side when cannon
roared around them, when sabers
| flashed and bullets fell like hail, wish
to sit around the board in peace, the
| thunders of war being silenced, and
the clash of arms having ceased. The
closest friendships are those that are
| formed amid common dangers, COM
mon hardships, common sutferlngs.
Such dangers were met, such hard
ships Were endured, such sutferings
We're borne, by the citizen soldiers of
the United States.
But the prompt response to the
call of his country, the splendid her
oism and devotion displayed, the
ease and willingness with which the
conqucrors laid down the sword and
the musket for the pillow, the plane,
and the pen, are not all that go to
make up the victor's wreath that
decks the brow of the union soldier
There is moro beautiful flower in
that wreath than any we have yet
noticed. There is a brighter star in
the dark night of war than any we
have yet observed. There is one part
of the union soldiers record that
stands more to his credit, shows him
more of Il man, places him ona high
er plane than does his patience, his
bravery or his fortitude. And in
this respect, | think, it may be said
he stands alone as Il soldier. Other
soldiers have been justas brave. Other
soldiers have fought rs great battles;
| have piled up 10 great heaps of slain.
Other soldiers, before them, had
come out from the peaceful walks of
| life in answer to the trumpet call of
their country, and, on the return of
peace, have gone back to the quiet
homes they had left. But of the vol
unteer soldier of the great republic
alone, can it be truthlully said that,
although in the hour OF danger he
knew no such word as fear, in the
hour of reycrses he knew no such
word as doubt, in the hour of sick
ness and imprisonment he knew no
such word as dependency, yet great
est, best, noblest, bravest of all, in the
hour of victory, he knew no such
word as revenge.
The brightest star in the armament
of the union soldier is his magnanim-
| ity, his greatness of heart, his for
| giving spirit. One of the most un-
just wars known to history had been
| forced on him, He met it manfully;
he fought it through bravely; he tri-
umphed gloriously; he forgavc no.
bly,, generously, magnanimously
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