The Indianapolis journal., 1902-05-26
FOR THE SOLDIER DEAD
MEMORIAL SERVICES IN THE NEW
CHURCH AT GREENWOOD.
Change in Decoration Day Observ-
ances, as Viewed by the Rev. w. ID.
Dunham-Exercises Elsewhere.
pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
GREENWOOD. Ind May 25.-The annual
memorial service OF the Grand Army of the
Republic held in the Presbyterian Church
this morning was attended by the men,
bers of the local post and the united con-
gregations of the churches. The pastor OF
the church, the Rev Warren B. Dunham,
preached the memorial sermon and the
choir sang appropriate anthems. The pas
tor in addressing the Grand Army alluded
TO the decline of interest in Decoration
day and said:
This decline in interest is no indication
that the services rendered by those who
gave up their lives in behalf of their coun-
try is not appreciated II is no indication
that you, who are the living representa-
tives of that great army, the ranks of
which are so rapidly thinning, are held in
less honor than in past years This de-
cline is inevitable. natural and logical. and
you should face it understandingly. 1t is
inevitable because ii is natural. AS time
passes the wounds that the war made have
healed. Some of the scars are left, but
they do not give the pain they once did.
This waning interest is not altogether in
grown up around us. Some of it is in your
own ranks. Those Of you who lost a
brother in battle If you know the spot
where his body rests do not visit that
row that you did twenty-five years ago.
The keen edge of sorrow has worn off. You
90 not appreciate tndt DrOtner services
any less, but your appreciation takes
different form. Just some of you do not
visit the grave of your first wife as fire.
quently as you did twenty years ago. You
honor her memory and worth in different
way. You have shown your appreciation
of her worth by marrying a second wife.
What better tribute could you pay to her
memory than this or what clearer recogni-
tion could you give of her worth?
This waning interest is also logical.
There is an increasing complexity in our
/ 0fry fIfzaf fn -$vxv
more numerous and present themselves in
new forms. 1t is logical. then. that Deco
ration day and some other holidays should
be observed in a different manner. Some
call it degeneration or loss of patriotism,
but il is not that With many the duties
and obligations of the hour urgently
demand attention that there is an increas-
ing unwillingness to turn their faces to
the past The soldiers monument has been
built and dedicated and stands a con-
slant witness OF the soldiers worth. II is
only logical that we live less and less in
the past and become more and more alb
sorbed in the present and In the future,
and you are not to interpret this change
as due to indifference and as marking
decadence in patriotism"
| The speaker then called the attention
| of the G. A r. to some of the great oues-
tions of the day that were demanding con-
sideration and in conclusion said: There
are large problems, then, both domestic
and foreign, that must still be solved and
that which the country asks you to do is
| to assist in their solution. The services
| you rendered your country In it's time of
conflict were valuable. but there is an
equally valuable service that you are called
on to offer in this time of peace. Your
work is not yet done. In wise counsel and
| leadership and in active service you are
still indispensable. After few more years
of service here you will be mustered into
the service above. 1 will not promise that
we shall continue to decorate your graves,
| for you will have received your reward.
Service itself faithfully rendered yields its
| own rich and great reward.