The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1903-06-05
cLARKsBuRe TELEGRAM,
Friday. June 5, 1908.

Memorial Day was kept NIL over the
nation. The surviving soldiers of the
great army that preserved the Union
intact are in evidence in goodly number
everywhere. In many places there are
being held public celebrations and the
lesson of patriotism and union are
being taught. In showing respect
for the dead, who carried the
American flag in battle and fought for
It and all it signifies, only worthy tribute
& paid them, tribute they merit. Keep
ing fresh in the. minds of men the mem
rories of the brave men whose life blood
was shed in the struggle that was fought
for conditions and principles, which have
since made the country great, is a les
son properly taught. Memorial for those
who fought by the side of the living and
stirs the heart of him who survives and
eoftens it's beats. It is a realization
70 him, that the foe has its sorrows still,
~ wen as its dead, and that the strong
hearts that survive on either side mel
low upon occasions. where the ravages
OF the hand Of death appear. Personally,
10 the old comrade whose life is fast
ebbing, It Is to him a season of com
munion with his God, q time of reflection
and meditation, reminder of the days
when his body strong answered to the
patriotism OF his heart, day of retro
spection of the period he and the dead
soldier and comrade devoted to their
country. Important, indeed, it is to him
from personal standpoint. Good it
does him; The benefits only he himself
can know. To the generation that did
not live during the bitter struggle, the
day should and does haYs important sig
pifieance. The lesson of reverence ia
tanght. The loyalty Of the opes Ameri.
esa soldier Is impressed on the minds
=. :. ali Who behold the OCCASION. It Is
shown that the veteran has still the dis
rcsftion to fight, for his flag and country,
1hourh he may not have body capable \
on account OF the inHrmities of old age
Again, the rising generation sees by the
Act of decorating the graves of the dead
that there was esteem for those who
were In the great cause. and that the
living and the dead were not there as
strangers and for the purpose of drawing
the paltry allowance given them by the \
government from month to month. not
as an inducement to keep their services.
hut to provide them with rations while
they were engaged in the restoration of
the government The lesson Is taught
that these men, both living and dead
vent to war for their country's sake
and without personal or selfish interest.
They believed in a principle and they
fought for it. From this feature alone n
may be drawn a grand lesson for the
present generation, that Is, every oh \
ject in life worthy OF an honest mans \
ambitions should he fought for earnestly \
and relentlc--ly. not with the sword
IN time of peace. but with energy. effort
and purpose. In connection with the
celebration of the day. there should be
nothing to mar the sweetness. the joy,
the comfort, the hope, those who particle
pate in it- Observance may find in II.
The veterans are fast passing away and
are growing old and infirTn. That the !
sunset of life to them should be lit mp
occasionally by the star of realization
of the fact that to them is due the pres
eryation of the Union and the perpetual
ton of the nation founded by a liberty
loving people Is but fitting and that they
may end their mortal career with memo
Eies fresh of their own loyalty and that
OF their comrades, Is the earnest desire
Of every loyal American.