The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-31

arms bear their choicest flowers to the
cemeteries. Graves Of commanding Off
| GERS and priVateS are decorated with the
same emblem-the starry banner for
| which they fought and for which they
bore the vicissitudes of war.
To the memory Of the humblest who
| did his duty for country is paid the same
| loving tribute that is accorded the COM
mander of a regiment or a brigade.
Tales of valorous deeds are retold, in
| spring hymns sung, and these yearly
decoration services thus develop into i'm
portant training schools for patriotism.
They not only recall memories to the
| middle-aged and old, but they instruct
the young, and, what is more, stimulate
d thirst for more knowledge of the epoch
making events of the first half of the
sixth decade of our last century.
rms occasion is approved by the pres
ence OF little children, of women, of citi-
zens in all classes, by national guards
men Jubiiantly marching beside the vet
eran volunteer of the Spanish-American
war-by the grizzled Grand Army man
| of nigh forty years ago-and by, let US
believe, the spirits resurrected from the
ranks of the men, numerous as the peb-
bles on the sea shore, or the grass in
the field who went down in the mighty
conflict which this day commentaries, to
whom the gratitude of the nation is due
and over whose graves the angels vigil
keep.
These graves are decorated in a spirit,
/ catholic as the true, professional soldier,
uninf1uenced by any istinction-geograph
ical, religious or political. This is what
soldiers are: True, loyal, devoted citi-
zens of the United States-not of any sec
tion, schism or party. Like the houses
of York and Lancaster, Cavalier and
ROundhead, the red rose and the white
emblems of peace and of the glory of old
England-we are all proud of our coun-
try and of our whole country made one
by the prowess of Americans against
Americans.
While the day is devoted to the dead.
its lessons are intended for the living.
The presence Of these comrades Of the
Grand Army of the Republic, these COM
panions of the Military Order of lhe
Loyal Legion, these members of the Wo-
mems Relief Corps, the Red Cross So
hallowed and heroic memories-linked as
they are with the greatest crisis in our
history.
Surely the spectacle. the flags and
songs and flowers, fill us with nobler
thoughts, lift US to a higher and better
plane Of citizenship, make US better men
and inspire us with the conviction that
our great government has been made
stronger and more enduring through the
attachment and doings of these patriotic
soldiers of the Union.
They conSecrated themselves to their
country. They abandoned home, family,
business; they turned away from the
prosecution of cherished plans they
sundered ties of blood and family al
most swapping the heart-strings of loved
ones; they surrendered themselves alb
solutely to the demands of their country
1t meant disease, contracted by wounds
ana exposure; it meant imprisonment
munger, thirst, Starvation insanity or
death; all wars mean these things and
more-and these men are the survivors
OF the men who made these sacrifices
Their comrades left widowed wives and
orphaned children.
nation grows rich by what it spends,
not by what it saves.
The United States spent hundreds of
thousands of lives in 1SG1-to prove that
1t was nation and not cOnfedcracy.
In considering that period, we must
consider the potential as we'll as the ac-
tuai combatant force engaged.
The Civil war of 1S61-5 made the ma ton
a land of peace.
Virtue is measured by the tempta-
lions 1t meets and masters. Success is
scored according to the difficulties
to be surmounted. Victory has its val
ue precisely proportional to the means
ana maSnitudes and men that enter into
the the struggle In that greatest of was
fought against volunteer
The braVest and the best of our North
last long sleep with the braVest and
the best of our Southern hearts and
homes Sincerity strove against SINGER
cerlty. Conviction confronted conviction
Determination deffed determination. Sac
rlhce set itself over against sacrifice
Prayer plumed its petition against pray
And now. today we are all Americans.
We are brothers again and forever. The
God of nations himself has set upon our
country. in the issues Of the conflict the
seal of unbroken oneness, indiSputable Su-
premacy, and our national flag hath forty
five radiant stars. It is our covenant with
destiny.
We believe that these Memorial exer-
cises have been attended by an invisible,
indiyisible. approving, protecting host.
With the Prince of Peace, we repeat the
words that came from a womans lips and
loving. loyal heart:
Together. cry the people, and together
still shall be.
An everlasting oharter-bond. forever for
the free,
OF liberty. the signet seal. the one eter-
nal sign,
Be these united emblems. the palmetto
and the pine"
Bless the children and the childrens
children of these comrades through years
to come. May never a friend be lacking
unto them in sickness, sorrow, loneliness
or death May many a mothers blessing
wherever their lot may be.
Then the band played Dixie and was
greeted with applause.
In concert the audience sang america"
with the band accompanying and at the
pronouncement of-the benediction by the
Rev. ThOs. Hambly the service termi-
mated.
Notable among those seated on the plat
form were ex-Gov. Alexander Ramsey,
Gov John Lind and Amos NJ Thayer. Of
st. Louis. judge of the United States cir
cult court of appeals
REQUIEM AT CALVARY.