Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1902-05-28
IEINc0p gNII1lE

thoughts of the future glortes
of this republic is the con-
sensus of the American mind
that whether one fought for the
blue or the gray, he was honest In
his views and that each was entities
to equal credit.
The question at issue was ons
which the iIlustrious fathers of the
republic Washington, Hamilton, JeI-
ferson, Madison and other wortnles-
could not determine, and they rele-
gated the task to some coming gen
Grafton. 1t was so momentous that
men like Clay, Webster, Hayne, Jack
son and other equally distinguished
statesmen passed it along through
compromises of various kinds, but all
knew that when the time came for
determination it must be by arbitra-
ment of the sword-that no intelh-
gence of men could settle it by peace
full methods.
In 1861 the crisis, which Washing
ton foresaw, and whfth other fathers
saw, was reached. There was no sur
prise in it. The question was one
merely of time. Postponements and
compromises were no longer of any
effect. The differences could be set
tied in one way only.
The determination of the matter,
the heroism displayed in the number
less battles of the next few years,
the fearful loss of life, the tremen-
dous financial cost, the bitterness
which followed, are matters of his
tory. All of these were natural re-
suits of such bitter struggle.
1t was difficult to understand, when
the smoke of the last battle had
cleared away and the desolation
wrought by the war was clearly seen,
how time could efface the many scars
then made. There were ruins of
houses, broken homes, deso1ate
hearts, widowhood, orphanage, pen
ury here and there, all of which in
cited and promoted a prejudice and
bitterness, if not hate, which would
survive the life of the republic.
The bitterness of bereavement,
though, turns to softness as years
pass. The memory of strife is OBJ
scured by the passage of years. The
republic has advanced in wealth, in
population and in the estimate which
foreign nations place upon it.
The north has learned the lesson
that the south believed as honestly
| in it's political opinions as it held to
| it's own. The south has learned the
double lesson that the north was
equally honest in its views, and that
it is better and far better that there
shall be one nation-a nation, one
and inseparab1e, now and forever.
In the years since the war it has
realized what would have been the
cost of a divided union-the separa-
ton of it into number of smaller
nations, each maintaining, as neces-
sity of defense, standing army at
great expense. And it rejoices that
this nation has escaped the condi
tions which exist in Europe.
It has seen the advancing g1ories
of the republic and has come to q
full and endearing love for it and re
ioices that it forms an integral part
of it.
The union in name and in fact was
confirmed by the results of the Civil
war. 1t might have been necessary
to maintain this by force of arms
but. happily, all this danger has
passed because of the upgrowth OF
common interests between the sec
tions, and a forgetting of the past
and the building up of a common
law for this union.
For the reasons named the Decora
ton day of this year should be and
doubtless will be one of the most
precious of any that has gone before
1t is more nearly than ever before g
day for the placing of flowers upor
the graves of all soldiers who dice
in the civil war-the gray as well as
the blue.
Our late lamented president out
lined this when he expressed himself
as committed to the nations caring
for the dead of both armies. But re
Gently an effort has been made il
congress to pension the soldiers OF
the south as well as of the north.
That country only is fixed upon Sc
cure foundations in which all of it:
people are united in love for its prin
cip1es.
This union of hearts as well as Of
hands having been effected, Decora
ton day becomes truly a nationa
holiday, bounded by no state or Nc
section, but commemorated from
Maine to Florida, from the Atlantic
to the Pacific. This is fulfllment o.
the hope of the fathers of the coun
try and gives confirmation of the
promise of a nation that shall no
perish from the face of the earth for
ever. WILLIAM ROSSER COBBE.
The Life of Pensions.
Just how long pensions may con
ho ho-