The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-31
SACRED DUTIES DONE.
Grand Army Veterans and Young Soldiers
Observe Memorial Day in Common--Cem.
eteries Visited and Graves Decorated
Exercises at Soldiers Monument
Dinner At Washburn Hall

powerful prayer, asking for the descent
Of light upon the soldiers and sailors
fighting for the country, and for a
peaceful resquicat for those who have
passed away.
Commander Edwards then said that
it was unnecessary for him to introduce
the speaker, the orator for the day
Comrade Charles M. Smith. Comrade
Smith made one Of the best addresses
ever heard on like occasion, and was
frequently interrupted by applause OF
the crowd. He spoke as follows:
My comrades and fellow citizens:-
Let US with uncovered head
Salute the sacred dead
VINO went-and who returned not"
Comrades, Salute!
Time works mighty changes. Time
effaces Time obliterates. It trans
forms the very features of the land
scape, turns the currents and courses
Of rivers, lays low the mighty monarch
Of the forest, brings down mountains.
1t works marvels in the world of ma
ture Nor does man escape "the re-
morseless tooth Of time" Kings and
empires have passed along this high
way to oblivion and are forgotten. In
strange contrast with this, my friends.
appears to me the spirit of this day.
A third Of a century-a generation of
human life-has come and gone since
those to whose memory and deeds of
valor we pay tribute today. gave their
last full measure Of devotion" to coun-
try and to flag. And yet-not more
fresh and pure Is the air of this beau
tiful May day, which bears to us the
breath of June, than is the wealth of
affection and tender remembrance
which we now offer as a token to all
our departed heroes. This granite
shaft may moulder and crumble into
dust, but the influence Of the results
for which they wrought whose names
are here inscribed, shall live through
all eternity. 1t must ever be so. A
great principle is here involved.
Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his
friends" Love begets love. And love
is eternal. 1.-THE world will never for
get what they did," because they did
it for the world. But If there were dam
ger that we forget, we have had other
and more recent reminder. Though
victory mas crowned LIe VdlOT Oh our
army and navy at Santiago, San Juan,
FL Caney and the Philippines-the cy-
press mingles with the laurel-the sha-
dow has fallen on many a heart and
hearthstoue, since last we gathered
here-and precious memories Of the sac
Tifices of '98 blend with ours of 81 to-
day. Within the past thirteen months
our country has been making history
with rapid strides. On May list, one
year ago, Admiral Dewey with his feet
sailed into the harbOr of Manila bay;
and it becomes necessary to revise the
map of the world, and readjust the ba-
lance Of the nations. When many
names Of titled royalty have faded in
to Obscurlty the plain and simple
names Of Washington, Lincoln, Grant
and Dewey win remain imperishable
on the immortal scroll Of fame. The
most significant fact Of the year for
ourselves is our reunited country. The
blue and the gray marching side By
side. And we may now realize tho
scene so fifty described by the poet.
by the flow Of the inland river,
Whence the fleet Of iron had fled,
Where the blades Of the grave-grass
Asleep are the ranks Of the dead
Under the sod and the dew
Waiting the Judgment day.
Under the one, the Blue;
Under the other, the Gray.
From the silence Of sOrrOwful hours.
The deSOlate mOurners CO.
Lovingly laden with flowers.
Alike for the friend and Zoe.
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the Judgment day;
Under the roses, the Blue;
Under the lilies, the Gray
Sadly. but not with upbraiding,
The generous deed was done;
In the storm of the years that are fading
No drawer battle was won.
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day;
Under the blossoms. the Blue:
Under the garlauds. the Gray.
NO more shall the war cry sever.
or the winding rivers be red;
They Danish our anger forever,
when they laurel the graves Of our
dead.
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day;
Love and tears for the Biues
Tears and love for the Gray
our fallen Of 81 and '9s are at rest.
It remains for US. all OF us. inspired by
their Unseltsh example, to dedicate
ourselves anew TO the tasks and prob
lens which confront us. that We may
rise to our high calling and opportunity
and do honor 10 the proud title of AM
erican citizenship. If we prove faith