The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-26
MEMORIAL DAY.

Thirty-hve years since the close of the
War Of Secession! Tots who were in pin
azores at the time the curtain went down
on that great tragedy are now grown to
be sedate parents. Physically the South
itself has wonderfully changed during the
intervening period. It has about recover
ed from the blight of the conflict, and Is
once more vigorous and prosperous TO
outward Appearances we have compara-
lively few reminders of the terrible days
of the sixties left; but those reminders
links which bind us to the past-how
strong the hold they have upon u.s. What
are they? Graves, in which sleep sweet
ly heroes who died for their country, who
gave all but honor for liberty and justice;
monuments, which perpetuate rolls of hon
or and fame; grizzled veterans, survivors
who cannot in tho course of nature be sur
vivors much longer, but must lay their
bodies down while they go to join their
comrades where the white monuments
point
While the living links with the past are
few. and growing fewer the love and ven
Grafton of the South for them for those
who have gone before them and for the
cause they represented on so many hard
fought fields, are as strong as ever be-
fore, and will be undyng. And It is pleas
ant to note, just here that even in the
North, formerly the enemy's country
there is an increasing spirit of respect and
admiration for the gallantry and devotion
of the Southern soldiers in the War of Sc
cession. An apt expression of this senti-
10 Z
months ago, when he advocated the ma
tional care of Confederate graves as a
sacred charge. There are differences of
opinion. of course, respecting the propriety
of giving over the care of the graves to
tn, national government; but there can
be no difference of opinion concerning the
genuineness of the feeling of respect and
fraternity which prompted the suggestion.
That feeling may be appreciated and
ciprocated without sacrificing one jot or
title of reverence for our dead, or relin-
gushing in the slightest degree our right
to care for their last resting places.
The simple memorial exercises which are
annually held for the Confederate dead
grow more and more solemly impressive
year by year. Upon each succeeding oc-
casion the ranks Of the veterans are thin
ner than on the Memorial day before. One
by one the old soldiers are passing over
the river to join their comrades under
the shade of the trees" Fewer of them
each year stand around the sacred
mounds, with bowed and frosted heads, as
the bugle sounds "taps"-notes which go
straight to their hearts. not only as a
good night" call, but as a reminder that
the time is not far distant when they
themselves must respond TO "reveille" on
that other shore. And the plaintive, in
spring bugle call moves not only the vet
Grams, but in the breast of every partic-
ipant in the ceremonies there Is stirred
that emotion which moved the great South
ern soldier-poet when he wrote:
Oh, band in the pine woods, cease.
Cease with your splendid call;
The living are brave and noble,
But the dead were the bravest of all!
Oh, band in the pine woods, cease!
Or the heart will melt in tears.
For the gallant eyes and the smiling lips,
And the voices of old years!