Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1903-05-14
1t is a Day Of Noble Memories: And
Whether It Falls on Sunday Or
Any Other Day Of the Week
It Should Be Observed,
For 1t Is Holy, and
the Heroism 1t Com
memorates Was
Sublime.

Daily Argus, Saturday, May 9th.
Once a year, for the past three decades, the people of the Southern States
have observed a day for the decoration of the last resting places of the
Confederate heroes, and the recital of their valorous deeds. And now the
seasons have again shifted to springtme and the founts of memory ire I'M
sealed o many a green hill. Amid the strains of martial music, thous
ands make their way to the halowed mounds beneath which lie the heroes
of the South. Upon those mounds they place their tributes of affection
and reverent regard; and the lonesome grasses are frightened with fresh
flowers. tits fitting, therefore, that we should consider for a moment
what this day means, and why til observed, especially in reference to the
changed conditions of this century, and the long perspective which now
lies between the present generation and those who wor the gray-and
wore it with honor and failed lot ever to sustaln1t VIII peerless heroSln
and die for it with sublime courage.
Anonos If be adverse correspondence published in these columns on
Wednesday and yesterday as to the observance of this halowed memorial
on Sunday, W e hope that none who would otherwise participate in the
services will absent themselves tomorrow because the sacred anniversary
chances to fall on Sunday, but that they will the more reverenhy unite n
person with their fellow citizens and sanction with contite hearts the
prayer that falls from the lips of Gods minister yer the last resting place
of those who rocked not of the day when they gave their young lives and
their all in the battles van for country and for home.
The ARGUS does not wish a controversy on this subject, it is beyond con-
oversy- much SC as religion iself-neither do W e wish to be thought
aunon but w do Wish to combat the suggestion that in OBJ
serving a a people Confederate Memorial Dayo Sunday, when it chances
to fall on Sunday, we are neutrality-suspicious..
Memorial day, a it is observed it the South, is what its name implies
a dav of memories. tt not designed to keep alive any feud or sectional
issue. 1t is reverent and retrospective. The controversy which urged
these dead soldiers tic lay down their lives for their country has been bur
led with them; and the silent monoiths which tower heavenWard where
% rest are symbols of peace, not of war. Memorial day stands for all
-tba vas BEST. and all that is best, in the South of the past and of the pres
ent. The same spirit which impeled stonewall Jackson, and at whose
en- Ho~s &C. oo flashed rom its scabbard, .spue and brigbt.n
lives in the South To-Day, HdHSe oy {" =" wv 5"A6 'N ="
that region where patriotism never dies or falters.
The men who came from Appomattox, and their sons, lifted the South
ont Of its ruins and rebuilt it into more than its ancient opulence. This
task was not inferior to the which lay before ohen" hen hey narche
MT in 1861. nit was less peious it was more tedious. It called for all
the resolution, all the moral courage, all the faith, hope and energy which
could be summoned by the finest AngloSaxon stock that the world has
" known. Patiently, uncomplainingly, with trust IN GOD, they re-
tuilt. replanted, and have since reharVsted.
OF such fiber were the people who fought for home rule in the South. OF
ac,a force and purity was the spirit which led forward those who sleep
to-day around the soldiers monuments" TT this spirit, devoid of section
. trfe or ISSUE, which informs the observance Of Memorial day. To re-
oo,obpr to ev4rence and to repeat-these are the privileges of those who
aoortet tn soldiers graves and who gather ear them.
put i'm this burying of sectional strife, Memorial day las lost not one
+m 81 its insntance upon the righteous patriotism of those whose memory
II narnetuates. Not for years-and never w trust-wil the day become
memorial of misguided fanatics who died TO IN unjust cause. Let the
rbrase. oThey died for what they thought was right" perish half uttered
rnon the feeble lips that would frame it. Let any suggestions that those
- uoot thu orav we're rebels, led by rebel chiefs, remain locked up III
4bosad distorted sectional histories, where they belong. With the mere alb
a.u.o+n merits Of the controversy Memorial day and the generation which
nou observes it has nothing to do. But that thlsw a as a struggle be
tween sovereign and independent states is a proposition which those Wh
decorate the graves O. ou'neih 9o"00 "~"o" "N i"ndo"" ~ ="
moment. -
before another tissue of the ARGUS will have gone into the hands of
Sunday will have passed; but let us hope it will not have mill
+atad against the fit observance by this people Of day of noble memories
~ubor that even abundanhy will Natures beautiful bounty t.
ba,nv breathing May-sweet fowers-be given to lendtheir perfume ito tn
;ncanse OF prayer to soothe the escrow of hearts that yet mourn and the pal
e-aunde that vet ache and "a only look to God for succor and surceast
while at the same time honoring thus tn memory OF tn Southern Soldier
aob;now holesom BLOSSOMS of patriotism and nobility of character
the young.
60 on the morrow, let us not discuss the Sunday, but the day-the deed
amanorates-the memories it holds that are hallowed: and let th
nrocesion be long that goes witt flowers tic decorate ue gfeen
co,o.ato SQUARE in beautiful Willow Dale, where Eight Hundred seel
60 lot rs leave them in the evening of the Sabbath, and let the SUMS lew
.s ond with parting spendor the silent oldler enune Uni stands guar
those fallen heroes. Now the shadows come, as the shadow of Tim
49, theses soldiers only sleep, waiting, within the enchanted boundaries, f
49, orieu before Him who is the Resurrection and the Life.