Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-31
ON THE FIELD OF GETTYSBURG.

heroes were decorated.
ON THE FIELD OF GETTYSBURG.
Oid ana Young Veterans Bedeck the
Graves of Fallen Heroes.
GETTYSBURG, Pa, May 3O.-Memorial
day was observed at the National cemetery
here with the usuaf elaborate ceremonies
and the graves of fallen heroes were
decorated by school children and veteran
soldiers of the civil war. In the parade
Pennsylvania volunteers VINO served during
the war with Spain marched as an escort
to the Grand Army of the Republic. Be-
tween the columns OF the young and old
veterans rode Major General d. E. Sickes
and Congressman Zegler Of this district.
number of civic organizations also took
part. The band from the Carlisle Indian
school furnished the music. The weather
was delightfuf and the ceremonies were wit
messed by an unusually large crowd.
The principal speaker was Hon. D. d.
Woodmansee of Cincinnati
Hon. D. D. Woodmansee of Cincinnati
said in part:
Many are the lessons we have learned
from the examples of the heroic dead who
offered up their lives on this the most his
toric battlefield of the republic. We read
with thrills of gladness the story of their
soldier and his commanding officer fought
side by side with a courage that adds glory
to human achievements. That the fighting
soldiery from the sunny southland were
none the less courageous than the noble
band of patriots who fought to
preserve the constitution and the
republic. That 1t was war be-
tween brothers, and now that 1t is past
we are reunited, no north, no south, no
east, no west, but union indivisible and
n pcpra rnhI hIo cd hxyt
rifces of our fallen dead. We are an united
people ready to do battle together for our
countrys flag. s>sf, ,.-.. ..
Since you met to celebrate one year ago
we have ended war which was forced upon
us after long reign of peace and from
which we could not escape with honor. The
whole civilized world has been a witness to
the fact that our cause was as righteous as
our victory has been triumphant Spain
and her medieval tyranny have been ban
ished from the western world. That terri
tory, within, the, seas, WHICH God had in
tended should blossom as the rose and bear
its full share Of the burdens of civilization,
seems to'1fft itself idpnin the full pride of
harvestsr rs to- SUPPLY. the wants, Of civilized
men. The valor OF. our countrymen upon
land and sea revive proofs that the sons OF
the heroes Of the civil war are worthy OF
their honored sires. The same courage
that led our troops over these immortal
hills about Gettysburg likewise inspired the
heroes who climbed the hills at Ell Caney.
Long after the naval battles OF the civil
war have been forgotte nthere will stand out
In glowing colors the signal victories Of
Manila and Santiago. These events will
mark epochs in the worlds history.
New made graves in various parts of this
fair land revive in us desire to keep fresh
the memories Of those who have dared to die
for our country. The active, busy men of
the republic who lived in the Cos have passed
away and 1t Is a new generation unfamiliar
with the conflicts of the civil war, that must
solve the problem of the future. 1t is pos
sible that the battles and sacrifices and the
victories Of the last year have been made
necessary that we may work out our greater
destiny. The American citizen can go
round the world today without carrying a
chart upon which to locate his home to the
incredulous foreigner. The peoples of the
earth claim a relationship to "Uncle Sam"
Our flag, the stars and stripes, now floats
over more continents, more hemispheres than
ever before. Its bright stars in the azure
blue give new courage and new hope to races
of men of the wide world round. A glorious
emblem Of victory and unity. Each stripe
bears message of promise and every loyal
son of the republic proudly stands within
the shadow of its strength.
The question to whether the Philippines
shall be ours is not the most important ques-
tion before the American people. 1t is of
far greater concern to us to know whether
this native land between the seas, which is
already ours this land which mas been
beauti1ed and developed and made the abode
of the highest order of civilization, shall be
preserved inviolate for generations yet to
come. Shall we allow the greed of capital
and the socialistc tendencies OF other ma
tions to combine against our common well
fare? Shall we Danish the Christian Sab
bath and give ourselves up to the violation
OF laws both human and divine? Let us
be reminded that IL we disregard the laws
of our we'll being, II we follow the beaten
paths that have been made by those nations
that have gone on into oblivion then indeed
will our ignominious end be sure and GER
tain. Then this great western world which
was Intended by God to be the eternal abode
OF human liberty, will give itself uD to
anarchy and disorder. The thought of such
future is sufficient in itself to bring us to
the rescue as Loyalty as If our flag was fired
upon by an enemy. We must learn the
lesson OF protection that saves us from our
selves as we'll as from a foreign foe. Law
and order must prevail. We will open our
doors wide to the best civilization OF both
hemisphsres, but we must keep them for
ever barred against all elements of society
that do not measure up to our standards OF
manhood and womanhood.