The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-05-31

have drilled. they have fallen Into line
| the rolf OF the drum IS heard. they arr
marching - tramp! tramp! tramp
They have gone-gone to face deaf!
and danger; gone some OF them forever
In those days. many wife heard the
last words OF love md affection. from
her husband. Many a mother Kissed
her son for the last time. Many sis
| ter said a final farewell" to the broth.
| er OF her childhood. Mang q nader
] looked into the face OF her sweetheart
10 see him no more In this world. All.
these were the scenes OF parting incl
dent to that awful war.
Sound Il mighty long reveille.
Let the ilfe and throbbine drum
Tell the world the marshailed heroes
OF our grand Republic come
They have now reached the field Of
conflict and there they are advancing
into the very jaws OF death, offering to
sacrifice their lives upon the altar OF
their country. that the Union through
their death might live. Many of them
fell In battle and are to-day sleeping In
unknown graves. Many died In those
awful southern prisons. And many of
YOU who survived the battles fury were
disabled for life, But the victory was
complete and the Union saved. All hon
or 10 the soldiers and sailors who de-
Tended the Union! And now
From the cory field OF battle
-s From the rivers crimson dyed
They return, our deathless heroes.
Sons of Freedom glorifled!
Bringing every tRttered banner
Bearing every honored name 4
That for God and home and country
Won an everlasting fame"
And to-day this great and prosper
Gus nation may well turn aside and
bring its tribute Of flowers and flags to
the silent resting place of the nations
revered dead. To forget them would be
heartless ingratitude; It would be blot
OF infamy on our national patriotism.
A few years ago was present at the
unwilling OF General Grants monument
In Lincoln Park, Chicago. and as !
listened TO the roar OF the cannon from
the long line OF gunbonts which lay out
on Lake Michigan near the monument.
and as the cheers from the tens OF
thousands Of thronts went UP. as the
stars and stripes which enshrouded the
monument, were lifted, the thought
came TO me, ell honor TO our great
generals. but how many humble boys In
blue died the miserable death OF disease
and starvation In yoH southern prisons,
or fell IN the deadly conflict and were
buried In unknown graves. or have since
died from injuries and disease received
In service, who have no individual
monuments unveiled for then. And then
q second thought came to me. Are
they forgotten?" And the answer. NO."
Immediately came to my mind, Go to
the memorial halls and the monuments
scattered oil over this country and there
read their inscribed names. See the long
professions OF school children and citi-
gems and soldiers. who march to-day
with Gods beautiful flowers In hand 10
decorate their graves. Their names and
deeds are living In the hearts OF the
people OF this grateful nation.
Say not. they are dead. forgotten,
fotceiess. spccchiess. silent dust,
No mans dead whose toll and life-blood
Speed great God-given trust"
All! no. they are not forgotten, and
dear soldiers. when one b. one you are
laid to rest you shall not be forgotten.
When you are gone your graves will be
strewn with flowers. And when the
last colder 5haN have passed away, fu-
ture generations. as they decorate your
graves, may well say:
Bow the knee. their graves are holy;
ConsecrAtcd Is this sod,
llallowed deep through NIL the ages,
In the sight OF men and God"