Evening star., 1897-05-31

the charge. A third Of century had
passed since the issues of the civil war
were determined: another generation had
come upon the stage of action, and yet the
same love, enthusiasm and tenderness was
shown as when Memorial day was first in
augurated, and the generations to follow
would gratefully perpetuate it to the end
of time.
He spoke at length on the proofs Of the
gratitude of the nation to it's loyal
defenders, pointing out the provisions
for widows and orphans and disabled
soldiers. Those who saw the gath
ering storm and heard the crash of war
and saw the ship Of state tossed on the
waves of an angry civil war, and then
moved to a haven of rest and peace, would
never consent that one of the noble veter-
ans should suffer want while a single dol
lar remained in the national treasury.
Suppose these men had not rallied
around the nag?" he asked. Suppose
they had not defended the Union? Who
horror which would have ensued? A dis
membered country, part free and part
slave, sectional strife, petty jealousies and
universal confusion.
Instead, We have today a united coun-
try, free from the curse of slavery, with
great commercial interests, with religious
and social elevation; our flag respected by
all nations, and the skies of prosperity
Frightening for the future-all made pos
sibie through the loyal devotion, untold
suffering and sacrifice of these noble sons.
THE sacrifice was great, but not too
much for such country. Let the coun-
trys gratitude be commensurate with the
sacrifices made
The speaker described the national graft
tude for the heroes of the revolution, but
begged his hearers not to forget Grant,
Sherman, Sheridan, Meade and the other
heroes of the civil war, and not to forget
the men of the armies who preserved to
posterity a free and united country, under
one glorious flag.
AID Ar
stand in view of the national Capitol and
scatter these beautiful garlands over the
lifeless forms of our heroic dead, who sleep
beneath its sacred shadow, let US, with un-
covered heads and with tender hearts, lift
our eyes heavenward, and thank the God
of nations for such country, for which SO
many noble men were willing to die that 1t
might live: and also pray that the men, who
legislate for this nation in yOnder Capitol
may be inspired by the same patriotic
spirit which fired the hearts of those who
gave their lives for their country's sake"
He expressed the qualification of the old
soldiers that a "comrade'' was in the White
House. His personal experience in the
great battles of the Union,' said the speak
er, "eminently fits him to sympathize with
you in all your efforts to secure a just rec
ognition in the halls of Congress for SER
vices rendered our country i'll the great
struggle for national unity, and is sufti-
cient guarantee that all such legislation
will merit his hearty approval and receive
his official sanction.
II congratulate you at the close of this
eventful nineteenth century, and in the be-
ginning of the twentieth, that one who
wore the blue will occupy the presidential
chair
In conclusion, he said moral issues were
before the country, to be settled by ballots
and sound legislation. He pleaded with his
hearers to take their positions on the side
of righteousness and morality.
Seek to perpetuate what you have al
ready preserved" he exclaimed "llelp free
our land from moral slavery and social
impurity, and declare by your ballots that
our nation shall be pure as well is free
''May God help you to be as faithful in
this duty as in the former cne, that your
closing days of life may be blessed with an
approving conscience and the smile of
heaven"
After the benediction was pronounced by
Rev Mr.. Bowman the bugler sounded