Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1901-06-05
Memorial Day Address.

The following is the memorial ad-
 dress delivered by T. c. Job OF Thurs
 day evening at Dake's opera house:
 Comrades of the Grand Army, La
 dies and Gentlemen:-On d bright
 spring morning in 1865 there was be-
 ing held at Plattsburg, N. T., on the
 shores of Lake Champlain, confer ence of the Methodist ministry. The
 first few days were of the ordinary
 routine, but on the third day the con- ference was transformed into the
 nearest approach to bedlam. The members shouted, they laughed, they cried; they threw their hats in the air and embraced each other with wild and enthusiastic joy. The confusion was remarkable in such a body. In vain did the venerable presiding bishop call for order. 'Brethern," said he, i've ought to thank the Lord; let us pray" Even this did not quiet the conference. In every Hull of the tempest some one would start to sing "John Brown, ," or "The Star Spangled Banner" And at last the bishop threw down his gavel and took a
 hand in the demonstration.
 Neither then nor afterward was any shame manifested or any apology
 made for such actions in a place of worship. None was needed. The fountains of joy, gratitude and emo tion were broken and poured forth the ointment of peace on a troubled land. The joy of that hour was liter ally unspeakable. There has been but one event in the past half century that would justify such extraor:s
 dinary scenes. On that day the world
 was told that the most formidable re- bellion ever raised was at an end. Lee had surrendered to Grant. It was the breaking of day after long night of darkness and terror,
 And since that most memorable conflict the survivors thereof have been won't to gather together on this Both day of May in each year to re- call the memories of the past and teach the newe generations the les sons of patri otism. The noblest of sentiments fl nds expression in this most beautiful custom which calls us together toda y Every fresh grave of soldier lifts this day into gander prominence and fixes it in the affec- tion and care of a larger number of people. And when the last one of the veterans has gone to rest, their sepulchers shall be pilgrims shrines and the patriotism inspired by these heroes will be felt while time shall l last. The observance of the cere- mony in which you have participated | today wa S begun within the walls of Fort Sumpter in 1862 by few ladies who ob tained permission from the | southern officers to pay their tribute of respect to those who had fallen in defense of the government. In 1863 | the graves of those who fell at Fred were decorated, and in 1864 the ce remony took place on the field of G ettysburg. Annual cele- brations we re held, but it was not until 1868 that any specific day was decided up on for the decoration of soldiers g raves throughout the coun- try. And for the establishment of this day as he one upon which to decorate the graves of the heroes of the nation, we are indebted to one them who was a soldier in all that the word signifies in its broadest sense; to General John A. Logan, that of war, the ideal volun- teer soldier, the eminent senator, a man whose private life we would all do well to emulate, and one whose and generosity were as marked as his courage.
 There are other days when soldiers meet to recall other scenes. Hand grasps hand; eye kindles eye; heart warns to heart. You gray headed men call each ether 'boys" again. You forget the present. Two score of years vanish as a dream melts in