The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-30
Uht Aerala aad N(elps
SARGE PLUNKETT
HE G4EETs THE COMING OF MEMOIR
IAL DAY WITH IT'S SAD ENIORIEs.
Tribute to Southern Misunderstanding Over
tho Dark Days OF the War and Recall
= Ing Some OF tho IIardshIps.
Atlanta Constitution.

meihoIiat day ID upon us aSaln III
all its sacredness, and with all the
memories that it brings. -
Thirty-six years have passed since
the guns numbered at Fort Sumter
and ushered in the bloodiest war the
world had ever known. Thirty six
years may seem long limo to the
young people, but it seens short to
the old people who we're here then,
30 short that the incidents of those
troublous days seem as but the hap
penings of last week or the last
month--time is mighty short whom it
has passed. These memorial occas-
ions lend hallowed sweetness to
everything upon their recurrence
upon day of every spring, and it is
to be hoped that the interest in the
occasion will never grow less, but,
rather, 60 on increasing down through
the ages as long as time shall last.
It should be thus, and especially
does it occur to me that little chill
dren cannot be impressed too forci-
bly, with the Importance of the occas-
ion, and of the sacredness Of the
things it represents. Children should
be taught to take the liveliest inter
est, not only because they owe it,
but to them will be left the duty Of
perpetuating and forever celebrating
on the OCCASION
Let the children, sweet and lovely
Bring that day the sweetest flowers.
And their hands in loving kindness
Scatter them in softest showers
A hove where these dead heroes sleep,
And thus perpetuate and keep
A sacred day.
1t will not be long till the chill
dren of today will be grown-up men
and women. 1 was impressed with
the quickness Of such changes upon
yesterday, as watched a mother at
her work whom [ had seen in her
cradle in the year 1861. 1t did not
seem long, as mused upon it, since
this mother of the present was q tiny
babe and 1 watched her mother as
she ironed just rs the one irons to-
day; but mighty have been the
changes and great the difference in
the occasions. The old mother Of
1861 was ironing the clothes to 60 in
her husbands knapsack-the one of
yesterday was fixing the clothes of
her own little children to join in the
parade of Memorial day, and tomor-
row they may be seen looking prim
and sweet, with flowers to scatter
over the graves at Oakland.
This is as it should be, and hope
the enthusiasm will never grow less
nor the sacredness ofits performance
ever be forgot. Thirty six years ago,
as l stood over tho cradle OF this
very mother of today, little
dreamed of what was to come, and
come SO quickly. She had sweet
mother and she had good father
as good and as sweet as any of to-
day. 1t was upon the occasion of this
fathers preparing for the war that I
speak. The circumstances had pass
ed my mind, but it came back upon
me yesterday as watched the moth
or. AS I watched many memories
came back-some of them sweet, but
many were sad, 80 sad that / could
but shed tear as I mused. The
father came to my mind, and it
seemed that I could see him just as
he appeared. He was waiting for his
sack to be packed and kept a foot
upon the cradle and up and down,
up and down, this way, that way, he
rocked and sang while the mother
packed the clothes. I could see her
as she folded the gray jacket and
packed it down smooth in the bot.
tom, and then each garment was
folded 80 nicely and packed away.
Every garment that went into that
knapsack caught tear, though it was
plain that the mother was trying to
be brave and hide her sorrow--many
times she turned away and I knew
it was just to hide the tears. / saw
the parting when the knapsack was
at last ready. saw many sorrow.
ful partings. Their hearts we're rea-
dy to burst when the little babe
was lifted from the cradle to be kiss
cd by the father for the last time.
The little babe thought it was great