The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1902-06-06

veterans, of the extreme hardships
that they endured during the four
years Of the war Uf the rebellion. AS
we think of the incidents of those
four years we are lead to ask each
other why have all these citizens
gathered here, and what is the mean
ing Of this ceremony, and why have
flowers been gathered. and scattered
over the mounds in yon cemetery;
what is the particular meaning of all
this music, and why have these chill
dren been asked to give us an exhibi-
tlon OF their soldierlike and patriotic
drill? These people will leave this
place; the sweet strains Of the music
will die within our ears, the flowers
that you have left at the cemetery
will wither and turn to dust, and the
details of this day will pass from
recollection. Why, then, have you
turned from the toll of your hands
and the weared brain to take part
in these ceremonies? These dead
soldiers, everywhere, give no parti-
cular heed to these offerings of re-
spect, it would seem to me that
there is equally as much for the
benefit of the living, as we'll as to
give expression Of honor for the
dead. Therefore, if tbs day for
the living as we'll as the dead and
we may think it proper for each to
ask of himself certain questions bear
ing upon this occasion. 1t may not
be- expected that after nearly forty
years that the same interest should
be exhibited that was first mani
tested when General Logan issued the
first order for the observance of
Decoration day. Then the people of
the whole country responded to the
roll of the mutfied drum, and the in
spring sonud of the fife. But some
are heard to say that Decoration Day
is good thing for the old soldiers as
it gives them sort of reunion, but
yet they tell us that they hardly see
what good can be accomplished by
wasting their time in attending these
exercises, besides they seem to be of
the opinion that they have so much
work to perform that it will be i'm
possible for them to participate in
these exercises, but they should re-
member that there was time when
the old soldiers had work to perform
that seemed as if they could not we'll
postpone. I well remember when
you left the plow in the furrow,
locked the doors of your shops and
offices and turned your faces to the
front. 1 do not wish to believe that
there is any great feeling Of this in
difference to which I have referred,
that pervades our community, but
there have been times in the past
when this seeming Indifference was
very pronounced
Sometimes think that the old SOL
diers are not treated as they should
be regarding the subject Of pensions.
There are hundreds and thousands of
deserving and disabled men who have
been unable to get the assistance
that they deserve. This is lack of
interest and almost ingratitude
toward these men on the part of
the people. who shulod be their firm
est friends, and it ought not to
escape serious consideration.
There is another subject that de-
sire to mention, and in doing so 1
trust you will follow me carefully, so
that I may not be misquoted or mis-
understood. There seems to be on
the part CT some an attempt to con-
tciliate the south by resorting to senti-
mental efforts, which fails to dis
tinguish between loyalty and patriot