The record-union., 1899-05-30
Weather Forecast.
THE DAY.

Memorial Day has become an estab-
1ished institution of the republic. If
any have held to the idea that with
the disappearance Of the last of the
veterans of the civil war the observance
of the day would be discontinued, they
must now be assured Of their mistake.
AS long as this Government exists the
people will. with simple and appropriate
ceremonial recall the memory Of those
men who go out to fight the battles of
the nation. The sons and daughters,
the descendants of the men Of the six
ties who maintained the integrity of the
indivisible union of sovereign American
States will see to it. that the annual
tribute is paid to the heroes of the re-
public to the last day and generation.
It is probable, nay it may be forecast
as certainty, that the heroes of other
strife Of arms will be included in the
ceremonies. To a certain extent this
is now done. The graves of the men
who fought for US in Mexico are not left
neglected, nor will those be forgotten
in the future of the men who have
fallen in the Philippines, in Cuba and in
Porto Rico. Finally, the generous OBJ
servance will extend to the last resting
places Of all American soldiers. whether
they have seen service upon the field of
battle or not. Thus the day will re-
be kept as faithfully and reverently as
the birthday of the nation itself In
other words, 1t will be lifted up and ex-
panded into a day Of memorial express
sion for all gallant men who don the
uniform of the country and bear arms
in its cause either in field or garrison.
1t is one of the most satisfying and
significant facts in connection with the
observance of Decoration Day that
whereas it was at one time treated un-
thinkingly by the mass of the people as
a holiday for recreation. sport and
pleasure seeking, it has now grown into
such reverence that the thought Of im-
proving the day for pleasures sake is
no longer tolerable. Very daring, in
deed, is the man or woman, or the as
sociation venturing to use the day for
money getting by promoting excursions,
picnfcs. balls or parties, or for any
merely ordinary holiday purposes.
Whoever does SO is defiant of public
opinion and is sure to experience its
frown. It is not too much to say in
another year or two there will. not be
put forward even the suggestion that
the day shall be desecrated by purely
selfish anlusements. Entertainment Of
a proper order will not be disassociated
from observance ceremonies, but these
will be of a reverent character in the
main.
Ihls fact is to make an important and
beneficent impression upon the youth
OF the land and intensity, or at least
emphasizes the patriotic spirit in them.
1t is to do more than that; it is to
teach them that war is horrid, and that
the office of the soldier is one of self
sacrifice and engagement in that which
is at all times to be avoided. if possi-
Die, with honor. The funereaI charac-
ter Of Memorial Day observances must
impress the plastic mind with the
awfulness Of war, and teach the lesson
Of the blessedness of peace and amity.
Let us observe this day in gratitude
and with respectful homage to the
memory Of those who have fallen in
battle in our country's defense; with
praise for the heroism of those who re-
spond unselfshly to the call OF the ma
tion for the defenders in arms; in the
spirit Of true patriotism manifesting it.
self in our speech and actions; not in
vain and boasting of love of country in
despite ofsanother; not with mere glori-
Tying of deeds of valor because of a
gross and animal desire for tri-
umph, but in spirit of patriotism
born Of the profound love of country for
the sake of its benefactions 20 man
kind, and with renewed allegiance to
the principles which the association
of free States in an indissoluble union
typifies.