The Norfolk weekly news. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1888-1900, 1899-06-01

Aftermath.
Such exercises rs were held at Norfolk
and the countless other cities of the land
are of priceless value to us as n people. |
can estimate the incentives to pa
triotism and love of country that such
scenes inspire. The respect we owe to
the dead is unquestioned, but our admi-
ration for their deeds grows upon us in
the contemplation of what they did for
us. Not only what they did on the bat
tlefields which have made their names
historic and imperishable, but what they
are still doing for us every year by these
recurring Memorial Days.
*s*
The veterans are growing old. There
are no longer any young men among
them. But as their ranks thin, year by
year, those who are left grow more prec-
ious in our sight. What they stand for
the indivisibility of n great and glori.
Gus union-assumes more significance
each year. While they have been grow
ing old the nation has been growing
great. This was rendered possible only
by their labors. The Grand Army Of
the Republic is the grandest organiza-
ton under the protection of the flag, be-
cause by it the flag was protected and
saved. Honor the veterans
*s*
1t was fitting that the tiremen should
have n prominent place in yesterdays
parade. We owe much to them. They
are heroes who, at the risk of life and
limb, often do deeds as brave and cour-
ageous as any performed on battletields.
They too deserve our appreciation and
kindliest consideration and should al
ways have a generous recognition from
every citizen. In time of danger when
our homes are threatened by the fire
fiend it is to them we TURF for help-and
they new fail us.
*%*
The boys who had next place to the
old soldiers yesterday were in the right
place at the right time. Gen. Garfield
once said that he felt like taking off his
hat in the presence of a boy-because he
was such a bundle of latent and unde.
veloped possibilities. We all need more
of that feeling. Boys are so apt to be
cast one side and ignored, when it is to
them we must look for the future pa
triots of the land. If their wooden guns
of their own manufacture looked some
what grotesque, if their marching was
not very exact, little does it matter.
The bare legged, angular youth in the
Kentucky and Indiana forests was not
particularly presentable, and yet in his
final development he became, next to
George Washington, Americas greatest
character. There was stuff in that boy.
Way down among the hills of Ver-
mont a half century ago, could be noted
a growing boy-a good deal like other
boys. He had the anne general charac-
teristlcs-restless, unframed and crude.
A year ago that boy stood Oh q battle
ship directing a great naval engagement
and as a result the stars and stripes float
over Manila, and now everybody is wait
ing impatiently Dewey's return to his
native land. There was stuff in that
boy.
Who shall say that when the trials
come in our national life during the next
half century-and come they will-some
of these ''kids," who marched with the
veterans of Norfolk in 1899, may not
make their names illustrious? Who
doubts that they will at least prove he
roes? God bless the boys
*x"
1t is safe to say that loyalty received
added emphasis i'll this community yes
terday. The address of Hon. w. NJ.
Robertson was like a fresh breeze from
the north, clearly setting forth that patri,
otism is something real, and that in a
great war, in which a nation is involved.
Stephen A. Douglas words always hold
true: There can be no ~neutrals-all
must be either patriots or traitors"