The Redwood gazette., 1897-05-27

men OF All classes
and conditions. The issues that led up
to the internecine strife are become but
memories that are fading, of the long,
long ago. They are being forgotten in
the living questions that have sprung
from the greater nationality that points
to greater and surer development in
the coming days.
These ante-war contentious led to
strife, when blood flowed like torrents
made of the summer rain. Brother
dealt brother murderous blows and the
death angel lowered constantly over the
camps of north and south alike. The
days of those years were long before the
coming of peace, but their perils called
out the noblest qualities of mans ma
ture. Heroes were thick as leaves upon
the ground in autumn days; men went
readily to death for the glory of their
cause; the republic survived because
valor was all-abounding.
Why count the reckoning one by one,
or urge that one was braver than an
other? The glory of the individual is
swallowed up in the general action OF
all, which led to the final consummation.
| Heroes die, but the memory of their
deeds shall never perish from the face
of the earth. Because the brave were so
many, the nation, grateful and glad
people, said: Let there be one day set
| apart in each year from all the remain
ing days in which to recount the prowess
OF all the braves, the living and the dead,
who fought to make men free, and save
the union of states forever" Thus was
born Memorial day-Decoration day, a
time in the patriot American calendar
| similar to that in the church conse-
Grated to all the saints who have died
and the martyrs who were slain for the
word of God and for the testimony of
Jesus
History tells of the sacred holocaust
at Thermopylae, of the charge of the
Six Hundred and of the heroism at
Lucknow; but history in all its pages
usually dwells upon the glories of kings
and valorous chieftains, who claimed
and received all the honor that came of
the deeds of their following as well as
of their individual acts. In the struggle
between the states, all were kings and
mobiles, with hearts of mighty and proud
chieftains, brave to endure, courageous
to act, daring to die. To these, to all of
these, men and officers alike, belongs
the one sacred day of memory, in which
flowers are placed on graves and the flag
the sleeping ones loved floats proudly
over them.
None are neglected, but all alike re-
ceive the ministration of loving hands,
while grateful hearts grow tender in
recollection of the stirring scenes
through which the heroes passed. They
think upon a union saved and people
forever free, and they feel that they
themselves are honored in enjoying the
distinction of paying homage to the
dead who died "for God and native
land
Come the years and go. Time has
brought whiteness to soldier locks
that were brown or black when the
bugle call summoned to war; steps then
elastic with youths glowing blood have
grown stiff and weary; but Memorial
day is now fresh and radiant, instinct
| with the reverence of millions of bene-
fciaries of their transcendent courage.
The nation lives, and breathes and glows
with the strength and beauty of unity.
Its oneness is the glory crown of Me-
mortal day.
WILLIAM ROssER CoBBE.