The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-05-31

the intelligence and patriotism OF fts
private citizens. II II the American idea
tina,
American manhood inspired from
youth
With a love N liberty duty and truth.
In the freeman's home by the patriots
grave
that our school masters are drill mas
ters and our school houses are bar
racks-that the American youth Is drill
ed for his cOuntry's service when he In
drilled In the resplcndent history of his
country. until he recognizes what his
freedom cost and II inspired ~ emul1te
the sublime examples ~ his ancestors
who have foun Jed and preserved the
reDUblic. And the moBf beautiful and
impressive lessons Of this education
that elevates and fires the soul until
IT, youth ls developed into a patriot
are learned when gray-halred veterans
and mnny-halred children unite on
Decoration day in paying their tribute
10 the dead.
What pleasure II must be 70 the old
guard NJ the land. as Il passes away
from the scenes Of IL conflicts. 70 real
lze that the blood NJ the rising genera
tion still burns with the fire that crested
Bunker Hi and the ridges al Gettys-
burg
Lips II iron and quick tJngues o fir
NAV talk In deep tones N destruction.
And surges Of manhood and steel may
break high
Where Liberty's bulwarks are set
But the blood that one time A.cked the
OF little New England village.
And the rough frozen SHOWS Of dark
Valley Forge
Is the same and inwncibIe yer
AS long az our martyrs are remem-
bercd and hOnored. we can expect he
rolsm IN survive. and because our mar
tyrs have been remembered. We feel
that II at any time our country may
be- imperlle1 We need but roll the drum
and blow the bugle and there viii arise
and bound 10 its defense loyal an1
mighty legiOns Of soldiers. distinguished.
not merely by braided uniforms and
military steps, like the hirellngs Of a
despotism. but by all that can charac-
terize and enlighten citizenship ana
ardent patriotism inspired from youth.
"Of It's soldiers. whose dust hallows
the soil ~ our country. little need be
said, but much should be read and
considered The inscription on the
stone above the remains Of over 2000
Of them. gathered after the war from
the battlefield of Bull Run and its route
10 the RappanhanOck and buried in the
one grave at Arlington Is Their deeds
are recorded In the archives OF their
country. and its grateful citizens honor
them as rs noble army Of martyrs
Their deeds are a part Of their coun-
try's history. This history II Is the
duty Of the citizen to read for himself
and to teach his children. And. 81
long as this history shall endure, our
heroes
"a Shall march and charge and swing
and wheel
with soundless shot and viewless steel.
Upon the fields their valor won
ITO the veterans who are with US vet
for a while We can express our gratl-
tude We know that you saved your
country. and many Of you shed your
blood for II from high sense Of duty.
We know thar on the field Of battle
when the thunder OF war rolled abour
Won and the lightnlngs of war struck
your comrades down, YOU thought that
YOUR lives belonged not to yourselves.
but to your fellow men. The princi-
ples for which you fought are more
lasting than your fleeing lives. We
NJ the rising generation. feel that we
are not only heirs 10 receive the heri-
tage that you have preserved. but al
go trustees to transmit II 10 others We
hope that I; may remain unimpaired
no merely until there are mounds and
slabs above our own tenements Of clay.
bu. as long as there are descendants Of
men whose blood has lecked our hat
,leheld And we hope thar The flag
that YOU upheld will continue n futter
For the free and will bear its dane /
ing. cleaning stars Of hope and liber- !
" triumphantly through the smoke |
ana fire Of anv war that may be waged |
against IT,
TIL plaintive bugles sound surcease !
From war, for everlasting peace
And as to the children, to whom your
minds have turned today, we can sav
Today as crimson battle dew
Is sprlnkled DER the field anew,
Who knows but what the summer air
Is full Of legions lowering there,
TO view the deeds that they may do;
Ie only knows who plants the stars
Above the stormy racks of wars,