The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-29

put one of necessity, that the great
Ozark dot might be taken away from
US. And in laying roses upon the
graves of the fallen heroes there is no
reason why the gulf should be widen
ed, but rather that 1T should be bridged
over. A few years ago, when the peo-
PIE OF Columbus, KY, went out to
streW flowers over the graves of their
loved ones who had laid down thar
lives in defense of the cause which was
justly lost, they noted near by the few
graves of the union dead, which tad
not yet been removed to oar national
cemeteries, and they went to the Sc
graves and with warm hearts scattered
flowers there. The news spread through
the North and many a closed breast
was opened to his brother in the South
by this act. There was no more sincere
mourner, | suppose over the great gen.
eral to whom he surrendered than Jo-
seph E. Johnston.
1t is just and right that we hold in
loving memory the men who laid down
their lives for the defense of our coun-
try.
First-They offered their lives volun-
tarily
The soldiers Of the late war were
mostly volunteers. When the president
made his first call for 5000 men, in
three days there We're regiments full,
armed and ready to march to meet the
foe, and when, at the assembling of
congress, he asked for 100000 men and
100000 were offered, it was but a short
time till the half million men were in
the field, and as calls for recruits were
made the responses came, While the
loyal North Joined in the war song:
I'VE are sprnging to the call of three
hundred thousand more; and We'll fill
the vacant ranks of our comrades gone
before, shouting the battle cry of free
DOM And not only did they volun-
teer to go out into the war; but they
were always ready to go to the front
and meet the enemy-men to rush into
the thickest of the battle. One of the
greatest victories gained during the war
was by an entirely volunteer move
ment. The battle of Mission Ridge
was fought and the rebels driven from
the height without orders. Certainly no
military officer, having regard for the
lives of his men, would have sent them
on so desperate an errand. The heights
of the ridge We're bristling with cannon.
Late in the afternoon an order was
given to move forward and take the
rifle pits at the foot of the ridge. The
signal gun was fired and 10000 men
leaped forward, carrying all before
them. The rifle pits We're taken. Paus-
ing for a few moments, as if for breath,
as if by common consent the men began
to climb the mountain. Not a COM
manding officer gave the word. The
soldiers who carried the musNets took
things into their own hands, the Off
GERS followed, then led A wave of
wondrous enthusiasm swept through
the hosts. On they went. fighting their
way. The bitter rain of musket balls
rained in their faces. Shells burst by
hundreds in their torn and bleeding
ranks, but on they went. Grant saw
the movement and comprehended the
danger of disastrous result Turing to
General Thomas. who stood by him, he
said: Thomas who ordered those men
up that RIDGE" Il don't know" said
Thomas; Il did not" Granger, did you
order them up?" mo" said Granger,
II did not" They started without or
ders. Grant ordered Fullerton to ride
over and ask Wood and Sheridan if
they ordered the troops up the ridge.
They both said mo; they are going
without orders So, mounting from
rock to rock, those veteran legions
reached the summit, drove the enemy
from their guns and the battle was won.
Our soldiers We're volunteers. They
went forth to battle because they loved
their country, and willingly they poured
out thelt DloOd tnat the union might
be preserved. Shall we not voluntarily
go and search out their graves and
streW over them our choicest flowers.
Second-For what they have secured
for us.
In London there is a magnificent
structure dedicated to Christians. In a
remote corner of that colossal edifice
is plain tablet bearing this inscrip-
ton: Beneath lies Christopher Wren,
the architect of this church. and city,
who lived more than 80 years, not for
himself alone, but for the public
Wouldst thou see his monument, look
around" Would we see what the sol
diers Of the union secured for us? We
have but to look around. We have the
nation the sun shines upon. |
Our territory is well-nigh illmtable, |
and We have almost every kind of eli |
mate and can produce almost every |
product of the world. We might place |
the entire population of the United |
States in Texas alone, and then it would |
not be so thickly settled as is Germany |
Our resources are well-nigh infinite and I
our wealth staggers one who undertakes |
to compute it. But to my mind. above |
this, we have in all this vast territory |
universal freedom. Our beautiful |
starry banner truly to-day waves over |
the land of the free and the home of |
the brave. 1t is the price of blood. and |
the blood of the very best young men |
Of the country, but they gained it for |
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