The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-06-04
Silen, Memorial Unveiled.
tcontinued from page IL


boy in blue found lying on field of bat
tie with his face to the stars, no longel
ignorant OF their solemn mysteries in hi'
silent sleep.
We think today of the thousands o
graves "unknown" all through the south
land; then many were left DER the welt
ering field Of the tombless dead" Their
ashes mingling with the land they saved
In that great struggle the defenders of the
nation were of that clement upon which
civilization rears her noblest edifices.
DUTY TO THE SURVIVORS.
We have spoken of the dead defenders
of the union. Let us not forget their liv.
ing comrades-those who were spared
from the conflict They were the sur
vivors of one of the grandest armies ever
mustered The ranks are thinning, and
every year battalions receive the final
discharge they are daily surrenderng
to the great conquerer of mankind. Last
year nearly IL, 600 of the veterans went
over the hill of time, down into the val
lev of death; their eyes were greeted with
the consolidated spendor of one flag for
the republic and their ears heard the
music of progress OF happy people. 1T
is estimated that in every 10 minutes OF
each "a hours final taps sound for some
comrade who wore the blue.
The soldiers of the union, many Of
them are disabled by age, if not by SER
vice, and in few years the last of this
once mighty host will be tenting in the
skies. Even now many of them linger
along the picket line that divides life from
the unknown realms. Every promise
made to the soldier by the government
should be as sacred as the graves of our
patriotic dead. The veterans will not be
with you long The years are conquering
an army that battle could not turn back,
and each week sees the muster out OF
many companies who wore the blue, who
have answered to the assembly call of
death. You mnst remember that the
soldiers of the North suffered a million
wounds; during those four years there
were more engagements fought than in
any war since William the Conqneror
The battles, sieges and skirmishes from
1861 to 1865 numbered 2247. You note
the great army who died in hospitals. In
war the pestilence that walketh in dark
ness decimates armies more than the
bullets of the enemy. Their life dies and
death lives. To the needy soldiers pro-
vision should be made for the comfort of
the vetrans as the infirmties OF age creep
on. The nation should not forget its de-
tenders or fail to remember the services
rendered in the day OF trial. If there be
those who are disturbed at the outlay
for pensions let them remember that the
rolls were reduced last year by death
over 80 thousand names, and from now
on, the Grim Destroyer will thin the
ranks of those soldiers who are
pensioned. We ale panied at the MUIR
muring and discomfort heard within a few
years over the nations care of those who
protected it from peril in the long ago.
1t was remarked in France in l740 that
after peace came the soldiers were for
gotten. Marshal Sake, the military chief
tain, bitterly said, 1--WE are like cloaks;
one thinks Of us only when it rains"
The last years of Washington were made
sorrowful by the indifference OF his
countrymen to the welfare of the men
who won the independence of the nation.
Is history to repeat itself? Let justice |
and patriotism alike forbid. A great
soldier statesman ofourcountry remarked |
four years since, "No emotion cools SOON
er than that of gratitude" Let me re-
peat tiiaG the nation should care for its
defenders. Abraham Lincoln, the liber.
ator, the great figure OF the age, he whose
fame will grow while the events of yes
solemn pledge in behalf of the nation "to
care for him who had borne the battle,
his widow and orphans" The people
paw l3S millions OF dollars for pensions
each year, but this sum all goes into the
channels of trade and benefits all. 1t is
twice blessed, blessing him who gives
and him who receives. Let us see to it
that in the remaining few years the jour-
ney of the veterans to the grave is made
comfortable. and thus carry out the
pledge of the martyr president.
THE PEOPLE AND THE wAK--woMAN's
AID.
have sketched as briefly as | could
( the recital of the story of national pres
ervation. | have told you of the deeds
&C your soldiers, who stood like a wall
vi bayonets in defense of liberty. Du-
ring the terrible four year, the people
at home bore their share cheerfully and
uncompainingly and maintained the
army i'm the field. 1t is estimated that
during the war the total contributions
from states counties and towns for re-
lief and aid Of soldiers amounted to
over 1877 millions of dollars; the contri-
buttons of associations and individuals
for the care nd comfort of soldiers
were over "a million dollars; for suf-
ferers abroad aud at home, over one
million dollars, making q grand total,
not including the expenditures of the
general government, of over 2l2 million
dollars. Truly noble record on the
part of the people of the north. The
sanitary commission alone furnished 10
million dollars in supplies. Patriotic
and generous were all the people. l
cannot close this reference to the war
without paying tribute to the women
of America. Early in 1861 the Women's
central relief association was organized
in New York, and its work was excel
lent. Then during all the years of the
war every hamlet and city had its wo-
mans aid society, and the noble women
labored with loving hands. and tender
solicitude to prepare comforts for the
sick and wounded. In those days of
sacrifice and sorrow, the women OF our