The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-27
MEMORIAL DAY ORDER.

| 1''h'"''s' w sbu'
qualifications YOU have during the
your contemporaries the Importance
oi realty to the great principles for
which you so strcnuously offered sac
r'ilce Each one of you has the SUI
preme satisfaction of knowing that
our cause was right. and that the God
ot battles sanctioned the efforts which
you put forth TO sustain the integ
rity of our Union.
! Those of YOU who were actively en-
gagged on fields of carnage know the
sublimity of patriotism which was ex-
hibited by the men who had a true
conception OF the issues involved. You
Know what they endured, and how
they met the requirements of the oc
casion. At tins time. in the light of
history. it seems surerilucus to make
any extended allusion TO the work
performed by you. Eut you arc the
representatives of the greatest volun-
tecr army that ever responded to the
| tocsin of war. And the halo of that
armys glorious achievements will re-
fleet honor on the individual wearers
of the pendant bronze star as long
| as n man is left to exhibit it on his
| breast
The four years war for the per-
petuity of our free institutions was
the greatest liberaizing medium ever
krown. Ey the commingling Of such
a mighty host for such "A long time
and under such trying crcumstapccs.
| Il generous education was acquired by
the men in the ranks.
Political opinions. denomiralional
tcnets. national traits of character
| and racial prejudices We're so modified
| mellowed and blended that America
has become cosmopolitan country
where the people are developing a new
phase of human nature.
The doctrine of the fatherhoOd Of
God and the brotherhood of man has
more eXponents under our flag than
under any ensign In the world.
Memorial day has Il significance for
the survivors OF our nations defenders
which does not seem to be fully COM
pretended by the mass of people who
enjoy the fruits of liberty and freedom
which the Boys in Blue" made pos
sblc.
The men who served our country in
the army and navy during the trying
ordeal between 1851 and 1861 do not
need to be reminded that May so is
hallowed.
While they retain memory there need
he no strain on the ina gination to re-
call the deeds of valor performed by
their comrades who gave their lives to
perpetuatc our government
-Four hundred thousand dead. three
hundred thousand cripples for life. and
over one million mothers. widows and
orphans left to mourn for their loved
ones who never returned, signify to the
comrades of the Grand Army Of the
Republic that the war for the Union
was the most extraordinary event re-
corded in the annals of fratricidal
strife.
The remnant of our once mighty host
of sclf-dcnying patriots feel and know
what sacrifices were required of men
and women during the trying days
when secession was rampant.
While life lasts they need not be told
of the privations and physical endur-
ance of the noble men who exhibited
the most unseltish patriotism when
good red blood was eXacted as a vicari-
Gus atOncmcnt for a great national
wrong.
To perpctuate the glorious history of
the righteous cause for which our Vall-
ant soldiers and sailors so nobly con-
tended; to show to the world our ven-
GRAFTON for the memory of our sacred
dead. who freely gave their lives for
the land they loved: to bless poStcrity
by the weight of their potent influence;
to aid deserving comrades in distress,
and to help the families of those de-
ceased. the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie was organized.
All soldiers. sailors and marines
qualified to join our order should deem
it an honor to have their names en-
rolled in the Grand Army of the Re-
public. and they should deem ii a privi-
leGe to help sustain an organiza ton
of the rank and file of the most in
telligcnt men ever disciplined to meet
the shock of battle. and which stands
unique in the worlds history.
Search the annals of events from
the time of Noah until the Year A. ID.
1866 and You will fail to find IA record
of any body of discharged soldiers or
sailors who ever conferred benefits on
mankind by concentrated effort. You
will also find that the myriads of men
who have shed blood on battle fields
for spoils, glory and conquest have
no roll of honor like the men who
saved the Union and sanctilied our con-
stitution.
During the last twelve months two
of the comrades within our precinct
have gone to the bivouac of silence:
Samuel +, Goodrich, sCompany Il, One
and Scventy-Seventh Penn
sylvania Volunteers. who resided in
and John Walker, Company
b, Fifty-siXth Pennsylvania Nolun-
teers, who resided at Maytield,
Since last Memorial day our local |
have exhibited a tenacity for |
living which demonstrates that they |
We're splendid specimens of physical |
manhood when they were soldiers. |
They are all on earth today and most |
nf them able to participate in the SER
vice of decorating with fragrant flow
nrS the mound which cover the rc- |
mains of their comrades who were |
mustered out"
on Memorial day let us show our re-
spect for departed comrades by observ-
ing the forms and ceremonies pre-
scrlbed by our order, and by trying to
"A reverence for constitutional
liberty, equal rights and justice TO all
alike. BY order Of