Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-26
VETERANS WERE THERE.
The Sacred Heart Church Comfortably Filled Last Nisht-Rev Father Fitzgerald Gave an Eloquent Dissertation on the
 Struggle Between the
 North and South,

North and South.
 Solemn and impressive were the Memorial day exercises oe the G. A. R. and the Veterans of the Republic, which were held in the Sacred Heart thurch last night Though the weather was disagreeable, still the church was well filled. After the veterans had en- tered the church and taken their seats and the Stars and Stripes were placed in position near the center of the altar railing, the guests of the evening were addressed by the Rev Father Shelley, who eulogized the deeds done by the veterans of the civil and Span ish wars, referred to the noble exam ple which the sons of veterans had re- ceived from their fathers.
 The religious services were then begun. Solemn high vespers were sung. The Rev Father Fleming was celebrant, the Rev Father Kennedy deason and the Rev Father Jordan sub-deacon. After vespers the G. A. R. services began. The choir sang finely the Star Spangled Banner'' and s'De Profundis." The taps were given and the bugle call resounded throughout the church. "Miserere'' and "Nearer. My God, to Thee,'' were then sung by the choir. The address of the evening was then made by the Rev Father Fitzgerald, who was in fine voice. It was powerful address and it was de- hvered in true oratorical style.
 Soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic, you have done your work well. You have helped knit the many dlscordant states into one great union. so that the soldiers of the north and of the south sing the ..Star Spangled Ban her, America" and Dixie" alike In the trenches down in Cuba and now stand shoulder to shoulder beneath one glori- ous flag. You men. survivors of many Battles, did not do your fighting as those in command. although com. handlers plan campaigns and shoulder the burdens of responsibility. you with the muskets and brave hearts. brino the plans of the commanders into exe- cution. The civil war was the resuIt or twenty-three years of opposite growth. The southern states bIos- somed into aristocracy and depended upon the labor of their slaves. The north, as time went on. purged itself or slavery and devoted itself to manu- facturing and trade. The south be beved in separate interests and the north believed that in union there is strength The north believed that this EIotton would mean safety at home and dignity and respect abroad.
 
 The civil war, for the multituda of men engaged. the vast number of lives sacrificed, and tremendous responsibili. ties involved, stands unrivalled in all history, therefore we defend you to- night. This bitter war brought ont the fact that all men are created euuaI that all children are born of one father mat there is higher law than force. that no men or class of men possess the right to amass fortunes and edu- cate their children by the blood of an inferior race
 You men here tonight were among the SUD stalwart soldiers from Water bury who went out to do battle for your country. The date of your de- perture was indeed a holiday. The en- tire population turned out. Children wept and women's lips grew pale. A flag was raised on the old Catholic church on East Main street and the great Father Hendricken, of blessed memory, bade you God-speed. You may recall that Father Hen dricken said to you: Go like brave men and do your duty. Bring back the stars and stripes, and, if you can't do that. bring the stars back and leave the stripes for the enemy After that you left to join those thou sands of men who were marching on ward to take part in the strife. Then such a mighty war followed that the whole world looked down in breathless suspense.
 When the bluffs were surrounded with the thick smoke of the artillery when thousands were mown down in the fields of red blood. when ditches were filled with the dead and dying. when thousands lurched to the rear for medical assistance, onward you moved and still onward, over ditches. dead war horses, forward the ranks with faces uptprned towards the flag. deter mined tol follow it to death. for you loved that tattered flag. Where, in all history can you find such soul-stirring event?
 But, gentlemen, if the Union for which you fought is to endure, if the blessings you helped to transmit are to remain, the younger generations must be taught that there are certain causes which can destroy a nation. Congress may introduce resolutions for the con struction of more powerful squadrons and to promote the efficiency of the army and navy; our coasts may be guarded by Gatling guns and sub marine mines, our young men may make pilgrimages to Washington's tomb on the Potomac. to Lincoln's tomb in Illinois, to Grants on the bank of the Hudson, and continue to receive diplomas at Annapolis and West Point but unless they guard against that in ternal decay which is engendered by false notions about authority. liberty and justice. the foundations of this re- public shall be undermined as were those of the great empire of Rome All- thority is only respected according to the power and sancity with which it Is invested, liberty is an abused word and many crimes and injustices are committed in it's name. When God made man he made him free. He gave him freedom of the intellect and free dom of the will. But when he com