Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1903-05-30
MEMORIAL DAY.
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of our confederated government, and,
during its early life, dominated every
discussion of the proper exercise of
the functions of national life. Its i'm
portance seemed to increase with the
years. Its friends and foes became
more and more pronounced and more
n more biCter and ~implacable toward
each other. The intense emotions the
question developed can only be COM
pretended by those who experienced
their effects. At last they acquired
such momentum that all efforts to sup
press them were swept aside and the
horrors of a fratricidal struggle, of an
pen rupture between sections of the
n great country, of a contest of
might between peoples bound together
with the INT high principles of lib
erty, of a deadly conflict between men
OF the same all %conquering Anglo-Sax-
on family, were actualized in what is
known as the civil war-the greatest
and most sanguinary war of history.
That was a time, when on both sides,
heroes were produced: when patriot
ism vas glorified; when devotion to
principle led men to leave their homes
and place their lives upon the altar-a
sacrifice for their country when the
hottest moments prompted women to
send their husbands, fathers, brothers
and lovers to the front to fight for
their country; when the love of liberty
which was and is the glory of this
country rose triumphantly over the
smoke and din of the battle, over the
council chambers of the nation, over
the firesides of the heroes and heroines
who staid at home.
We, who enjoy the fruits of those
heroic struggles, honor you, soldiers
of the Grand Army, because your
names are written IN the honor rolls
of those who fought for liberty. YOU
were participants in the life agonies
of the nation, in those dark, dismal
days. Your courage, devotion and sac
rifce won for us and our posterity, a
r~eafirmance, in blood, of the principle
Of individual liberty, which was the
guiding star of those ancient worthless
who in prayer and hope founded this
democracy, which is, today, the head
stone for faith in our beloved country,
and which is destined. in the unfold
ing years. to bring Joy, happiness and
contentment to those seeking the shell
ter of a government operated for the
benefit of the governed.
Let us not mistake this lesson of the
great war. Slavery has gone forever.
The liberty of the individual is estab-
lished-that Is the right of liberty.
Fellow citizens, our incompatible
Declaration Of Independence announc-
ed that governments are instituted
among men to secure to-them the right
20 life, to liberty. n to the pursuit
of happiness. Does our government,
as now operated, secure these desira-
BILE things? The civil war, it is true.
settled forever the question OF human
siavery-the actual ownership of hui
man fesh-the buying and selling OF
human beings as chatels-but are
there not still among ns forms of slav-
cry which Cypress, which thwart de-
velopment, which defeat the objects of
government? Are there not tyrants
and despots among us, who under the
forms OF law, or contrary to law, sue
coed in practically enslaving human
beings Is the individual per-
fectly free to live out his own life
to give full scope to the development
of his powers? Is public sentiment al
ways helpful to one eager to give reign
TO his faculties? Is not fashion often
%tyrannical? Are not religious teachers
frequently the most unreasonable ty-
rants? The profound Jefferson said,
Il rave considered religion as a matter
between every man and his Maker, In
which no other, and far less the public,
had a right to intermingle." DO par
ents constantly seek the Individual
freedom of their children? Do not
teachers and the curricula of our
schools and colleges at times dwarf and
curtail mental liberty? DO not u