The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1901-06-07

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All that the revolution gained; the keep
ing OF the freedom, the independence, the
Chioh' "hlch our warfare and sacrifice
nau purchased. 1t means united peo-
PIE 10 withstand the influence of the old
"orid monarchles, to thwart the designs
upon popular government, and to hold
Id check the ambitious, greedy and cruel
natlons, IN the semi-civilized period OF
the Nineteenth century.
know TINS memorial and the thou
sands OF graves north and south. in one
sense, are a sad legacy from our fathers:
nut In another, this il a grand heritage
lhese graves are the foundation and the
oond OF the eternal union OF these states
ana this memorial with it's simple service
commentaries that union.
Before the war was over our mothers
ooth north and south, when the spripp
time had brought the sunshine and the
howers, went softly in their sorrow 70
the graves of their dead and went and
prayed and hoped and suffered. But
long ago, into the enduring sorrow
about the tomb, came the ioy Of the
resurrection Of stronger and more
glorious nation. What means this me-
morlal? The ages to come will tell il
even better than we are able to tell il
today. Our mission at home, and in the
islands OF the sea will tell that meaning.
and all our subsequent history will con
tinue to unfold it.
As some forty survivors Of the battle
of Bunker Hill witnessed the laying OF
the corner stone of that monument. 40.
also, it was indeed fitting that in the
lifetime OF the Grand Army of the Re
public should be established the memoir
lal OF their patriotism, service, sacrifice.
and the results of these. The granite at
Bunker Hill may crumble, and the mon
ument at Washington may return to the
dust OF the earth, but as long as the sun
shines, the flowers bloom, the Union
lives, the old flag waves, and the human
heart continues to love, this memorial
built OF sorrow, gratitude and love will
endure.
At the graves Of our loved ones, in a
common sorrow and loss and gratitude,
we sit tOday-One flag, one nation, and
united in our mission of good rule and
good will toward all men, and firmly re-
solved that government of the people,
by the people and for the people shall
not perish from the earth.
they incarnate great moral truths
and principles, are as enduring as human
society. The founders of this nation
handed over their unfinished work to
their successors, who, in the most troub-
lesome days Of civil war, not only
proved themselves worthy Of the trust,
but also able to add new element of
strength the union of these states, and
= hnx Inl L.
aging fact that the noble qualities of
both the soldier and the citizen had not
persisted with the revolutionary fathers,
but we're alive in all their strength and
nobility in the soldiers and citizens OF
'6l-'65, who sacredly preserved what
had been committed to them. The labor
of these, their sacrifices, their purposes
and ideas, their fears and their hopes,
born in those trying days and conse-
Grated by the passing years, live in the
memory, control the thoughts, and in
spre the activity Of those whom the
providence OF God calls to enter upon
the sacred Inheritance the founders and
preservers of this nation leave behind
them
The recOlpctiOns Of this service and
sacrifice crowd upon our memories today
as they are associated with the past his
tory OF our country, and the services of
the Grand Army of the Republic, both
living and dead.
Let us look forward, then, to the COM
ing years with calm confidence that the
cause for which they labored, died, and
some have lived, will move on to still
better things. The deeds and the char
acter of our nation blend with the
vssiOn of this hope and more than iusti-
fy the anticipatiOns that the watchWords
of the nation shall no longer be for form
ula for our hopes, but the actually
realized ideals.
Fathers, you fought for this country,
you have also had the high privilege OF
living for it. In return for this double
service we will remember you. When
you lie down to sleep we will place flow
ers and the grand old flag upon your
graves and fire the salute to let you
know your memorial still lives and it's
meaning is not forgotten.
When in 1860 the dust of Roger Will
Jams was removed from the place where
it has so long rested to a more suitable
place, an eye witness said that it was
found that the tap root of an old apple
tree had struck down and had run the
whole length of that once resolute spinal
column, absorbing it, and in turn man
ifesting it in life and blossom and fruit.
So, likewise, the main root of this past
generation, and of future ones in turn,
stuck deep into the patriotism and no
bility of the Grand Army OF the Repub-
lie and have received therefrom the life
manifested in herojsm in war, wisdom in
craftsmanship and nobility OF citizen
ship. Your empty sleeves have made
strong our arms, the faltering steps,
manned in battle, have made firm our
march, and the clear heroism burning in
your honored age has refined our cour-
age. From you we have received that
nourshment that has made us men
more worthy of the trust you have COM
mitted TO us.
Friends, let me remind you of the lib
erty of body and soul purchased by
Jesus Christ for every man, the memorial
OF whom is still kept by those who love
Him. You all will soon be mustered out
OF life's conflict and forever retire from
its battle fields. How are you going out
Of service-in disgrace or in honor, in de-
feat or in victory?
After all that can be said, the great
soldier ia he who in war and in peace en-
dures hardahips as a good soldier OF
Jesus Christ, and when mustered out OF
service can say, 81 have fought good
fight, have finished my course, | have
kept the faith; henceforth there is laid
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