The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-22
A PROPHETIC SERMON.
Extract from Rev. DR.. Pierce's Mem
orial Day Sermon. Z,

Extract from Rev DR.. Pierce's Mem
orial Day Sermon. =
The completion Of the soldiers monu-
ment on the court house square re-
calls the fervent appeal for such a
monument made during the Memorial
day sermon delivered by DR.. Pierce in
May Of 1899. In part he said:
To the men who survived the many ills OF
camp or prison pen, or weary march, or field
Of carnage, and live to tell us Of Bull Run or
Antietam, Fair Oaks or Fredericksburg. Chan.
cellorsvile or Chantilly, Lookout Mountain or
Missionary Ridge, Shiloh or the Wilderness Get.
tysburg or Petersburg; who were with Sher.
man from "Atanta to the Sea-" with Sheridan
in the Valley, or with the ironelad and i'm.
mortal Grant at Appomatox; to these men we
owe our ever.cxpandng, prosperous and united
country.
We will not wait until the little mound in
the cemetery shall mark the place Of dream.
land sleeper, and flags and flowers on Memorial
Day shall tell us that soldier sleeps beneath
the sod. but this hour VIC will laurel your brow
with the tribute Of a nations gratitude. When
I saw the hundreds OF veterans marching our
streets and saw our beautiful city bedeckcd
with bunting and in holiday attire, and the
thousands Of Our patriotic citizens entering Into
the generous welcome. home to the new veterans
OF the gallant Thirteenth regiment, returning
from the Spanish campaign. l wept for joy that
we were honorcl with such soldiers. young and
old.
recall the days when you returned as con.
quering heroes from years Of battle Then we
were ready to give YOU anything You wanted
But time has dampened that ardor, and many
now bcgr1idge the little pittance dealt out a.
pensions and withhold the substantial and ell.
during monuments which should perpetuate your
memories. Beautiful Scranton, with all its cul.
,ure and boasted wealth and pride, las been
recreant to her trust. 1t seems often that lat.
tcr.day patriotism is either tickle or an empty
boast.
Where is the marble shaft which towering to-.
wards the skies shall tell to generations yet
unborn Of the noble men who gave their lives
that America should be free? II out OF the night
Of indifference could call the citizens OF this
commonwealth to a morning OF renewed &C.
tiyity in behalf Of the soldiers oi Lackawanna
county, this gathering will not have been in
vain.
plead for a monument Oh which shall be
engraved the names of the soldiers from this
city and county. Let ii contain memorial
hall where shall be kept the priceless relics OF
our civil war. Let names and scenes and relies
become immortal. All honor to Congressman
Conncll. Colonel Boies. Mr. Luther Keller, Colo.
mel Ripple. Colonel Watres, Captain May and
other patriotic and philanthropc gentlemen.
whom learn were willing long ago to contribute
generously that fitting monument be erected
in our city to commemorate the achievements
OF our gallant soldiers living and dead.
Shame upon any great commonwealth, rich
and prosperous like our own, with history OF
which it may well be proud honored with some
OF the bravest and noblest men that ever faced
a foe upon the battlefield. ncgecting to honor
its heroes. The city Which honois its heroes.
llonors itself. Only once in lifetime can our
children behold the Nrspirng sight Of soldiers
returning from the battle fields. 1t s due to
them that a perpetual object lesson be given
them in a monument erected to commemorate
the valor. heroism and patriotism Of their
fathers. through whose unselfsll devotion to
country we ioce in the triumphs Of liberty.