The record-union., 1898-05-31

done for years, Spain looked on and
smiled. Then this mighty giant of the
Western World rose and declared that
the hideous cruelties which had black
ened the worlds history for years
should cease on that island, so near
our shores, and that Cuba should be
free. l believe that the act of our Gov
ernment has the commendation of all
good men, and the approval of high
heaven.
We are again fighting the battles of
liberty. There is no sectional differ
ence of opinion. Our soldiers are on
land and sea, carrying aloft the Stars
and Stripes-the banner of the free.
The evidence so far in the conflict is
that the onward march for the cause of
freedom is invincible; that the hordes
of darkness, ignorance and cruelty
must flee before our conquering hosts.
The eyes of the waiting world are
upon US. If our effort is made and
continued, in a spirit of justice and
right, success will come and remain to
bless our land. The new possessions
Will be ours, not because we desired to
conquer and subjugate them, but be-
cause the command of the Great Ruler
them. and bring light out of their dark
ness, and make them free. With this
result only in view, the President, the
Congress and the citizens of the United
States-North, South, East and West
have entered upon the struggle.
know not where to look in the history
of nations for a like action or similar
effort, having in view the benefit of
ot KYop Ill
quest, for possession; this war of 1898
is waged for the benefit of humanity
The promptness of our soldiers in an
swering the call of the country has
again proved the true spirit of Ameri-
cans. The volunteer soldier waited for
no contention, no preferment. His 10y
atty and patriotism did not wait upon
a price, nor a position The private
soldier, who shoulders his gun, straps
his knapsack to his back and marches
away to the conflict, leaving all per-
sonal attachments and personal con-
siderations behind, the expectancy OF
thirteen dollars a month and to be
shot at that cannot be doubted, as to
his patriotism. The quick assumption
of this position of labor, denial and
sacrifice during the past month by our
soldiers is a lasting monument to the
true Americanism of the State of Cali
fornia. There should be no hesitancy
as TO hearty and effective support on
the part of every citizen. Who can re-
fuse to extend to fettered humanity
the blessings of a government that has
served to raise mankind into greater
possibilities, into higher manhood? The
number of patriots graves Will in
crease, and the pension list will grow
larger We will have graves to deco
rate in Cuba-we have some already
in Porto Rico and in the Philippines.
They Will be added to the mighty hosts
who on sea and on land have died that
We might live. The old veterans or the
Grand Army of the Republic, the Wo-
men of the Relief Corps and Ladies or
the Grand Army who never weary, the
loyal women, the Sons of Veterans ana
patriotic citizens will to-day decorate
the grave of Washington, of Lincoln,
of Grant, and of every gallant hero
who sleeps the sleep where comes no
call to battle. Nor shall they be for
gotten, who sleep in unknown graves
in the southland; where the magnolia
blooms and the jessamine twines its ten
drills over their houses of clay. Com
rades of the Grand Army, you, who
have stood where the hurricane OF bat
tie swept like the swing of the sea, who
have felt the quiver and the shiver, as
the ponderous shell sped by on its mis-
sion of destruction, you, whose patriot
ism cannot be questioned, and fellow
citizens of this great country of ours,
let us not forget the price of liberty;
what it costs to be free. Remember
that while kings die, their sons, too,
are kings, but that there is no resur-
rection for republic. Remember that
the thrones of the mightiest nations
have been broken in pieces, and the
pieces trampled into the dust. Remem-
Der that because men were not true in
the past the lights were hurled from the
pedestals in their halls of learning, and
darkness reigns where once wise men
taught the students of all nations. Let
the bonds, most current among US, be
bonds of fraternity, charity and loyalty,
rather than the bonds of pelf. Let not
the poor be compelled to grind the
bones out of their arms for bread. while
a few, favored, impalaced, enthroned
mock the holy penury of the Son of
God America, the hope of the world
Thou, too sail on, o, ship of State,
Sail on, . Union strong ana great,
Humanity with all it's fears,
With all its hopes of future years,
Is hanging, breathless, on thy fate
Sleep on, defenders of our country's
glory. Each year we will tell again
the story of your valor; how you saved
the nation, and placed a greater value
on patriotism. When we build monu
ments to the great and the good of the
land, we will surmount them with the
emblem of an American soldier, for he
has been found worthiest among his
countrymen.
A beautiful song, Decoration Day,
was rendered by the choir after which
the band played Hail Columbia" and
c. Kellogg followed with a recitation
of Lincoln's favorite poem, "Oh, Why
Should the Spirit of Mortal Be Proud?'
given with much fire and effect The
audience then sung America" with
will. and as the echoes of their voices
died away in the grove they silently
dispersed.
The Committee of Arrangements is
deeply grateful to NJ. N Williamson for
distributing pure, clean water along the
route, which was a great relief to the
men in the line of march.