The San Francisco call., 1899-05-30
MEMORIAL DAY.

| MA EMORIAL day is the expression OF the I'M
perishabe influence of patriotism under IRE: Tree
institutions and of the survival IN the Amerl-
can heart of those tender feelings which are among
the finest products of advanced civilization The
form in which this manifestation of fraternal love for
the dead heroes OF the republic is conveyed is ex-
quiste in its conception and deeply suggestive IN ITS
symbolism That more than seventy mlilons Oh
people should pause in the midst OF their teemng
business activities, their political controversies tnelr
mental competitions and their moral agitations and
in gentle tranquility, at home and abroad distribute
the benson of flowers over the ashes of the unfor-
gotten warriors of their own blood who died that
their country might live, is a fact that transuses
pessinlism with the warmth and with the beauty OF
optimistic dreams
The classical mold OF this pathetic recognition OF
gratitude among the first OF human virtues IS the
artistic feature OF the day. But the American soul
thrills and glows with sentiments that unknown
to the Greeks and in the delicate the quiverng
leaves and the braided loveiness that profusey en-
belsh the repositories of their treasured dust reads
the symbols OF individuaized immortality And as
the whole length and breadth of consecrated
land the music of the human voice attests the un-
dying national memory and translates the national
offering into breathing thoughts expressed in touch
ing words citizenship is rebaptized into the saving
Our dead soldiers have bound national in
stuons by every tie OF principle and of honor. The
revolutionary martyrs were the apostles OF the Decar
alton OF Independence and of federated Govern
ment The war of 1872 cemented our nationality upon
the land and upon the sea The decisive struggle
with Mexico perfected the symmetry OF the republic
and secured to the world the future center OF pro-
gressve humanity The Civil War removed our last
constitutional inconsistency clothed our political
Union with immortal colors and of its transitory
horrors evolved the extrpaton OF sectional dlscords
and the completed unity OF diversified population.
The with Spain originated in a sentiment and will
not end in revolution 1t has proved that there has
been no decadence in American manhood and has
taught the world the irresistible power OF Govern
ment founded upon the sovereignty OF man and stand
ing for the exaltation OF humanity.
Rightly Interpreted Memorial day is unique among
potsms OF the globe and inspiration to ourselves.
Every man whose memory celebrate free
citizen and not subject mercenary. He had the
same nalenable rights the same inheritance of lib
erty, the equality OF opportunity that possess
and enjoy His dying eyes gazed upon the
glorious flag that to-day spreads its stars and its
stripes in forty-fve autonomous States in our con-
nental territory, in the Antilles in the Philippines
wherever an American vessel plows the deep or an
American uniform glitters upon the land And, not
withstanding our temporary disturbances, that flag
has not been soed by foul contact with despotism
but represents alike the patriotism OF the dead and OF
the living and the unbroken continuity of our CON
stitutional union upon its ancient and its accepted
foundations