The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-02

er- There is, however, a general observ-
ance Of the day on other and more con-
yenient dates, from the Potomac to the
RIO Grande. and IN some sections Of the
North and West where Confederate sol
diers lie buried. OF late years the origi-
nal purpose Of Memorial day and Decora-
ton day has not been strictly adhered 20,
and Union soldiers decorate Confederate
graves, while Confederate soldiers deco
rate Union graves. The day Is also chosen
by outsiders for the purpose Of decorating
family graves. Memorial day IN many Of
the Northern and Western states is closely
guarded by laws, state or municipal,
which prevent its, dissertation by horse
races and other Inappropriate amusements.
rms year mas injected a new element
into the Observance of both days. Many
soldiers graves have been made by the
Standardization war, and he question
arises, Shall they de decorated on Mem
orial day and Deeorat ton day?" Strictly
speaking, they cannot be; but the great
laXity already practiced both at the North
and South in the decoration of soldiers
graves, would seem TO allow of this new
element one that 50 strongly appeals 10
our patriotism and gratitude. A great
deal has ben said about "A New Memorial
day In view Of a reunited country, and
the irregularities in the later observance
of both days, il would appear wiser TO
merge them into one National Memorial
day, to cover all the soldier dead of ev
cry war. Of course the Grand Army of
the Republic would have TO take official
action on the subject but the Southern
people are free to act independently on the
proposition.
Few persons realize what a wonderful
change the Spanish-AmerIcan war and
reunited people have wrought in public
sentiment, the country over, in regard
to Memorial day and Decoration day and
the Union and Confederate veterans.
Think Of a devoted Confederate being
buried by request, wrapped in the old
Flag" by a Grand Army post Then think
of Gen. Joe Wheeler delivering his Me
mortal address before a Boston Grand
Army post Again. witness the Roman
Catholic Church, whose iron hand has been
against many secret organizations, open
ing its doors to the G.. \. R. on Memorial
day and its priests delivering the address.
But strangest of ALL the QuaKers, those
lovers of peace and denouncers of war
have even opened their church doors on
Memorial day TO the Grand Army Of the
Republic.
1t is all well enough to talk about peace
and arbitration, but the great drift Of pub
lie sentiment is in favor of that surest
way 10 have peaee-being fully prepared
at all times for war. No nation. to-day
dare put in practice the disarmament
principle. From the day that The farmers
of Massachusetts, left their plows in the
furrow and the artisan his tools on the
bench and became heroic Minute Men
in defense of their homes and liberty, the
spirit of patriotism and heroism has per
vaded This Land of the Free and Home
of the Brave" And at no time have the
people been ungrateful or Unforgetfui of
the brave men who fought or fen in their
eountrys cause. Why, when this govern
ment discovered the last soldier OF the
revolution, Congress at once voted him a
pension of $500 a year. But neither glory
nor pensions have nerved the good right
arms of the great mass of American sol
diers and to-day, in the Philippines our
Western troops and the soldiers from Ten
nessee are ast onishing the world by their
heroism and patriotic endurance of untold
hardships and prvations. AS a dead hero
is grander than a living coward so is a
holy war better than a dishouOrable peace.
IN our hearts and in our homes we shall
ever cherish the memory Of the heroes
who have fought or died for freedom :
sake; and the time will never come when
there will not be a Memorial day or a Dec
GRAFTON day-or bOth-to pay due tribute
to their sacred memories while this re-
public remains the grandest Chris fian ma
| ton on EARTH Sidney Herbert