The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-02-23

do not do as well as they know how.
1t is refreshing to spend little time
each year calling to mind the lives of
men Of whom there is never any ques-
| ton raised concerning their courage.
There have lived those who because of
certain inherent qualities cannot be
afraid, and are heroes from the begin
ming. They are to be praised. for they
| have been true to the heritage of their
birth.
| With the conflict just now ended still
| stirring our hearts to admiration it
ought to be easy for US to enthuse to-
day. The past year has furnished us
so many brilliant examples of bravery,
like stars appearing at twilight, rapidly,
splendidly since the tragedy of the
Maine that it is hard to chronicle even
the uniformed knights of courage, but
we shall not be truly patriotic until we
give full recognition to those heroes who
have never and will never wear any
! insignia to tell the world that they are
men of conviction who cannot be afraid,
unless conduct be the token of theirh hero
ism. Our land must stand if she stand
at all, and grow stable as the everlast-
ing hills, if she grows thus firm at all,
| pCtuuSC llltl e dlC uIloGl ilCd ldIhSs
on ranks of those who know and feel
and dare. Sometimes it is easier to be
brave, wearing our shoulder straps Of
gold and being kept in line by drum and
sharp word of command, than it is to
be fearless without these outward
things to stir our blood and keep our
heartl warm.
The glory of the crowned hero stirs
me to the depths, but, ah, me! when 1
grow serious like in the shadows of the
evening, 1 see amid the cleaning,
marching to their reward the millions of
uncrowned heroes who cannot be afraid
because they are of that heritage, which
as loyal sons they have received from
the Father of our country, whose
birthday we are striving to celebrate
and an unbroken line of most worthy
progenitors since then.
But there is the ideal hero, whether
on the field or in the shop, whether
wearing the blue or the gray, clad in
broadcloth or the coarsest of jean, he
is the hero still. He is the man who
cannot be afraid because, inherent in
his life are those principles which make
for bravery and forbid that she shall
ever be afraid. He will never be a
coward, facing circumstances or cannon
it is the same to him. for there Is not
a weak spot in mind or heart. I do not
forget to acknowledge that the express
sion of true courage depends largely
upon circumstances.
The first element is this
The ideal hero has a great heart. He
feels for everyone who is oppressed.
The Dutch first called Washington the
father of his country and afterwards
the whole world; and he was called this
because his heart was as big as the
needs of his brave republic.
He referred to the heart of Roose- |
welt, who was so tender to his wounded
soldiers and yet as firm as adamant
against evil. Heart transforms, trans
figures and glorifies and he who has
such great love for country, for city,
for humanity, will have the courage of
his convictions.
The second point is the chivalrous
quality. This is an ideal quality. 1t
suggests the ideal times. No man can
be a hero without this quality. Only |
brave, strong men can be mercful and |
tender
The last point is fidelity to the little
things, Washington, Lincoln, Grant,
Dewey are heroes, but we cannot be.
A man is fitted for the display of true
heroism who is faithful to the better
elements of himself. He showed how
we all may become heroes and not be
able to be afraid. We shall be as brave
in our civil and social duties as we have
been in our military duties.
The flag that has been raised over
these place of victory in our own land
shall they ever come down? In closing
he read the poem recently written by
William Thompson, entitled 1T Shall
Never Come Down."
The rest of the programme was as fol-
lows:
America.
tAl! are requested to stand and join In
snging)
Eecitation-1he Old Canteen (by requesh
So. .......... Colonel George M. White
Pnrson) Willis B. Isbell.
Solo-The Old Guard ..... 49,. Rodney
Francis S. Hamilton Jr.
professor f. A. Fowler, Accompanst) |
Nations Volunteers .......
Miss Edith May Root
Seection-Sertn made ....... ..............
Leichters Orchestra.
Benediction-Rev. J. s. Chadwick.
Seection- Stars and Stripes Forever.
Lechters Orchestra.