The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-13

ard hay. VIII soan hare gore iHto me ror-
ever past. Around the day clings tnou-
sand gentle memories recalled 20 rs By ehs
eloquent voice Of patriotism The event
constitutes an earnest appeal 20 sae brave
and stalwart youth o. the nation 70 EMU
late. whenever opportunity presents the
glorious achievements Of the Boys VINO
fought 50 noozy and grandfy under the
ample folds Of ..osd Glory"
II Is fitting that the Ash Of MEy, now
creeping On apace. should this year be OBJ
served with greater presentation OF the
story OF patriotism than ever before Not
that there should be effort made TO incite
popular demonstration against the men
whom We fought. and who are fighting
with Us now. IN support of liberty and
the national honor, but 70 intensity the
love OF patriotism and aid in the re-ega-
ton 10 the background Of al feeling and
prejudice that may exist in the broad do
main covered by she flag under which we
1--we and hope to die IN peace.
The year ISL witnessed divided nation.
enc part in support OF the constitution and
the Union. the ether seeking the destrac-
ton OF the great principles which had
made the only true republic on earth Sue
cessfu, and mighty In the four years fol-
lowing. by land and sea, was tested By
valiant and heroic men on either side the
strength and the eathroned majesty OF the
grandesc and mightiest government On
earth, and 1t resulted in the establishment
forever OF the fact that the Union was
not compact Of sand. to be torn asunder
by every popular wave that might heat
against the land. bat rather bond supe-
rior 10 Harveyized steel. against which
Spanish shot and shell may be hurled IN
vain The compact forged in endless links
in the American revolution. clincEed By the
war of ISl2, and rsveted by the war for its
perpetuation, was the outcome OF the fiery
furnace through which the nation has
passed, and today, on the threshold OF an
other Decoration day. In commemoration
Of patriotism. II il stronger and better
than ever before. It's strength has been
evineed IN the popular uprising, North,
South. East and West. and IN the eager
ness with which each section OF our broad
domain has WED with the other TO rush TO
the front In response TO President Nc
Kinley's call for troops
IL anything were wanting to illustrate 10
greater degree the respect. the love and
the homage due patriotic endeavor. the OPP
portunsty win be presented throughout the
length and breadth Of the land on May %
The day as originally designed was not
intended to invoke enthusiasm. because It's
predominant characteristic Is funerea1 In
aspect 1t II both prayer and song
Thanksgiving and requiem, pitched in
the same key. The voice that will recall
the heroism OF the mer who rest for a
time under our broad-sweliing fir trees,
whose graves win be decorated with flags
and springtime's choicest offerings, win at
the same time repeat the words OF the
great commander. who sleeps his last sleep
on the banks Of the historic Hudson-"Let
US have peacer'
The nation is profoundly In favor os
peace, and in foreign waters and on for
elgn land is fighting for peace-peace thas
viii bring honor upon the country and
peace that viii insure the upbuslding OF =
downtrodden people that have for years
successfully battled against tyranny and
for self-goyernment.
The difference between the springs of 1861
and 1893. as far as we are concerned, IL
witnessed in our immunity from the hor.
rors OF war at our very threshold. At
the outbreak;ng OF the war Seattle and the
state OF Washington were unknown guam.
titles. but good many of the people now
here resided IN the East and the South.
some of them not far removed from Sum-
ter's alarm guns. In May, 1851 many
homes, both North and South, were en-
robed in the habilaments of mourning
There were empty chairs that have never
been Allied. and there were wounded hearts
whose panacea has been beyond the reach
of mortal man. Ere May 30 between 3d. coo
and $4,000 homes north OF Mason and
Dixon's line. and as many more south OF
IL, were In anxiety bordering on distress
their occupants awaiting adyices, many
times in vain. from father or son.
Today we are practically free from anxi-
cites incident to war, as the city and state
is far removed from the turbulent centers,
like Washington (the capitaD, New York,
Philadelphia, Boston and the Southern I'm
portant coast cities. Naturally our SYM
pathies. prayers and helping hand are
extended to the brave boys, who hope TO
carry our state flag In Juxtaposition with
"Old Glory TO victory wherever the gov
ernment may direct them 10 go. and we
wax enthusiastic at the bulletin boards
when they chronicle glorious victories
gained by Dewey or other naval heroes:
but we are not In that constant state OF
unrest and perturbation such as is now
evident throughout the Atlantic coast
states In the North and South, upon whom
must eventually come. If 1t comes at all.
distress and losses Of both blood and capi-
tai should the Spanish war vessels sue
coed In visitation to our Eastern har-
bors. Our very remoteness gives US a
sense OF security. but IL does not relieve
US from the performance OF every pafrf-
otto duty.
.Breathes there man with soul so dead.
Who never TO himself hath said.
This ts my own. my native hud?'
The time for preparation for the OH
rE{fdEitE VA A|~SVtIttoH Gay snort. SHOULD
the god OF battles continue to smile upon
and bless the men who have already or
who shall very soon, write victory upon
the banners or the republic, Decoration day
will par,ake OF both the characteristics Of
rejoicing and sadness--the dirge ming,ine
in solemn cadence with the stirring notes
OF victory.
At best the day will witness a general
outhurst Of patriotism throughout the
length and breadth OF our land, a clasusne
OF hands In strongest alliance, tears for
the dead ard wreaths for the living.
Seattle, as city. should unite with the
surviving comrades OF the Grand Army of
the Republic IN communicating the se,h
OF May II should be made an epoch I'm
the history OF the city which the present
and future generations will gratefully re-
member. ". s. II.