The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-05-31

her day a day OF universal peaee on %
ezrth and good viii among men, 9ay
OF breaking chains, day OF Io0sins ~
bonds Again. Ia the bTilliant -, ~
have ever before US the memory Of the
blood OF patriots pouredout IN the causf
OF liberty: In the pure white we see M
symbol OF Columbia's purity, unmarreu
by the soiling touch OF ambitious "
ranny; in the deep field OF blue we see
the fixed purpose OF Americanism, true
TO itself. true 10 humanlty's upbuildlng'
true 10 the cause OF liberty! Ihose
stars are the lamps Of liberty. those
stripes are the scourges Of oppression.
That flag is the shield of safety ana
the sword OF justice. Who clings TO u,
NOT ali the tyrants on earth can tear
from its protection! All honor 20 tnS
ones who bore that flag TO victory, AZ
honor to the boys in blue who fought
beneath those folds.
"Thirty-hve years have passed since
Lee surrendered. Thirty-tive years
Year by year. as the ranks OF the sur
viyOrs OF the Civil war grow thinner
the number OF those who take part ~
the exercises Of Memorial Day grows
smaller. The boys of 81 are no longer
bows; the springing stride Of youth mas
been replaced by the faltering step OF
age. Many OF those who are sim win
us are unable 10 fall into line to march
TO the city Of the dead and decorate
with flowers the graves Of those old
friends whose memory is so dearly
cherished. Many OF them must spend
this bright spring day in the old arm
chair, recalling the time when those
who now sleep beneath the sod, went
out in the brightness of their young
manhood. never to return.
Let Decoration Day Live.
Soon the last of the boys will be
with US no more; his place will be va
cant, and we VIII have but his memory
with us. Shall We permit this day TO
become neglected? Are We so migrate
full that those hallowed graves shall go
unmarked after the last cOmrade is
gone! God forbid! Let US Of this later
generation lend our strong right arms
10 sustain the tottering frame Of the
old soldier as he bears his tribute to
his comrades resting place; and after
he has gone let us make each Decora-
tlOn Day day Of national pilgrimage
to the graves OF the boys In blue.
Honor to the Union soldiers, honor TO the
boys in blue;
Honor 10 the days defenders. those who
fought Its battles through.
:: WIZ they who gave their LIES blood,
sacrificed for Freedoms sake;
Poured II out on Freedoms altar. when
the Union was at stake.
Some are sleeping in the Southland meath
the sunny Georgian sky,
Fell while on the march with sherman
in the land OF slavery.
Some are sleeping in Virginia, meath the
Old Dominion's sod;
In the thickest OF the battle they were
called to meet their God.
Some found graves in Pennsylvania, fight
ms under Meade they fell;
Crushing back the dread invasion, night
ing fierce and fighting we'll.
All the land Is dotted over with the graves
OF boys In blue,
Brave defenders OF the Union; those who
fought Its battles through.
Some still live TO tell the story how the
Unions cause was won,
But their ranks nre growing thinner ev-
cry rising of the sun.
Many finish life on crutches, many sight
less. armless. deaf.
are scars their wounds have left
All, the sacrifices rendered. God alone can
No memorial we can ofer can repay or
Soon the last surviving hero, bearing up
VIII have t't' Joined the Great Commander in
the heavenly camp above.
Who will decorate these graves then?
Who will place the laurel wreath
on the sod above the noble hero sleeping
there beneath?
We, this younger generation, We must
soon these graves attend:
We IL Is on whom this duty, no, this
honor. win descend.
Let us to-day SUSTAIN the soldier. he's near
the end Of llfe's long race;
Help him bear his loving tribute TO MS
comrades resting place:
Then when he has Joined his comrades.
the Journey DER. iIfe,s battle throuEh,
Let us each year deck with blossonls the
graves OF those who wore the blue
At the conclusion OF the speaking the
Spanish American war veterans fired
salutcs over the grave of the soldier
over which the exercises had been held.