Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-26

few Of us may live to see 1t. I feel sure
that the last survivors of the Grand Army
of the Republic will celebrate this ami
versary after some day of glory. when the
sons of rebels and sons shall have
fallen side by side in some common cause
of foreign war. sires and their sires
fell side by side under the eye of the
great rebel-the Nirginan, Washington.
Already have these words had literal
fulfilment. Already has many brave fed
eral officer who followed the old flag IN
1S61-Gl honored the dead who fell at Las
Guasimas. al San Juan and at Ell Caney-
sens of federalS and of confederateS,
soldiers from every section of great
land who now rest side by side in our great
National cemetery at Arlington And the
boys who followed the flag to the far away
Philippines and died beneath the stars and
StripeS-Who stops to ask their state or sec
ton? 1t is enough that they our sol
diers defenders of this great republic: and
no honor is too great to pay to the memory
of the american soldier. His prowess. his
endurance, his fort!tude and his courage
have challenged the admiration of the
world. and are eqIlaled only by his tender
s. nerosity toward a fallen foe.
l oday. after the suns and rains and deWs
of thirty-hve years have called forth iow-
crS to carpet the graves of the heroes who
gave up their lives on the battlefelds of the
civil war, or in the hospitals crowded by
the conflicts and hardships of the struggle.
we are apt to forget what the men of oil Go
endured for their country. Tha shout of
victory reverberating down the chain of
tiHlt SlItllttS tHe moan OF anguish WHICH
rose from the place over which brave col
Emns charged. The pictures presented to
our imagination of bright uniformed hosts.
cleaning swords and prancins steeds. Gb-
Scure those other scenes when the angel Of
death came to claim the men whose graves
we now decorate with flowers.
Lessons of Patriotism.
We would have cur children learn the les
son of patriotism which comes from the
blVouac, the tedious march and the battle
field. We would have them emulate the
self sacrifice of those who so cheer
fully left the office, the shop, the counting
room or the pillow to show their loyalty by
lighting. if need be. dying for their country.
W neither they fought beneath the stars
and stripes or beneath the southern cross,
they fought for what they conceived t. be
right, and sealed their loyalty with their
blood.
II Egypt built pyramids to honor the
memory of her tyrannical kings i; is fit
ting that America should keep green the
memory Of those who died iii defense OF the
Ill ertN ear ancestors won by battling
against king. What Other nation has such
good cause for hon"ring its heroes as Amer
lea?
No; ia uphold dynasties or empcrors and
kings d" our soldiers battle, but for eter-
mai truth and justice. and to guarantee to
al: over whom the flag of our country floats
the ADVANTAGES and the blessings of the
principles OF the free republican govern
among tn" powerful nations of the Garth
X IS for this that American soldiers go
forth checrfully to endure the h2rdsnips
OF the soldiers life: to die, perhaps. the
soldiers death.
No fearing no doubling thy soldier shall know
When here stands his country and yonier the foe.
enc lock al the bright pray the sky.
One glance banner inatinS prou!Iy on high
Then on. the young lion bounds on It's prey
Let the sword flash On high: ding the scabl,ard
Roll on, like the tEundcrbol, over the plain
Well come back in glory, come not again.
The heroism of those whose graves
decorate. whether they be The boys of
81 the Boys of IS is one of the
bright jewels in the diadcm that crowns
the brow of American liberty. 1t is part
OF the heritage of every child born beneath
our flag. Therefore, in honoring the men
who died for the flag we add to the in
heritance of the millions yet to come. for
in giving testimony to the courage and
loyalty of the men who sleep in soldiers
graves We enhance the nations glory aud
render the name American citizen of still
more priceless value.
To Avert Wars Horrors.
So long as nations like individuals are
prone to forget the rights of contempora-
ries. war Will be an unfortunate necessity.
The questions. then. for statesmen and hui
mantaiians to consider Is how best to avert
the horrors OF war
IN General Nashiagton's speech TO both
houses of Congress, January s, 1880, We
have the assurance of that great soldier
and statesman that:
ITO he prepared for war Is one of the
most ct;ectual means of preserving peace.
The patriotism of American citizens rem
ders it unnecessary to maintain such great
armies as Europe seems forced to keep
ready for action. But there are many
other ways I" prepare for war.
nation whose people are ever ready to
defend il against insult or aggression and
to do bat lie or fl, right 1Ipj-