Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-05-30

of this republic is the con-
sensus of the American mind
that whether one fought fon the
blue or the gray, he was honest in
his views and that each was entitled
to equal credit.
The question at issue was one
which the illustrious fathers Of the
republic-Washington, Hamilton, JEFF
ferson, Madison and other worthless
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 intelli-
gence of men could settle it by peace
full methods.
In 1851 the crisis, which Washing
ton foresaw, and which 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, desolate
hearts, widowhood, orphanage, pen
ury here and there, all of which in
cited and promoted prejudice and a
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
r-paln4ian and in the esu1rnuSv-
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 it's views, and that
it is better and far better that there
shall be one nation-a nation, one
and inseparable, now and forever.
In the years ,since the war it has
realized what would have been the
cost Of divided union-the separa-
tion of # into number Of smaller
nations, each maintaining, as neces-
sity of defense, a 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 glories
of the republic and has come to a
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 forgetting of the past
and the building up of 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 a
day for the placing of flowers upon
in the civil wharf.-the gray as well as
the blue.
Our late lamented president out
lined this when he expressed himself
n committed to the nations caring
for the dead Of both armies. But re-
Gently an effort has been made in
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 its
people are united in love for it's prin-
ciples.
This union of hearts as well as of
hands having been effected, Dccora-
ton day becomes truly national
holiday, bounded by no state or no
section, but commemorated from
Maine to Florida, from the Atlantic
to the Pacific. This is fulfilIment of
the hope of the fathers of the coun-
try and gives confirmation of the
promise of a nation that shall not
perish from the face of the earth for.
ever. WILLIAM ROSsER COBBE.
KINDLY TAKE NOTICE that Ely's