White Oaks eagle. (White Oaks, N.M.) 189?-190?, 1903-06-04

lovingly StreWlng over the graves OF their
dead the fragrant flowers that flourish in
the sunny cline of Italy, watering them
with their tears, just as is being done today
in our own country
SO we see that through all history and
spect for the dead has been shown, and
that it seems to be an inherent trait of
mankind to honor the memory of the dead
and to recall their noble deeds, their un-
sulled character and their virtuous lives;
whether those traits were manifested on
the bloody battlefield in the hospital or in
| camp, or in the more secluded walks of
life, where charity and benevolence have
been practiced.
In our own great country, a land that is
proud of its greatness proud of its noble
| men and women who, in the past, have
who are enthusiastic and loyal proud of
being Americans--this day has a peculiar
significance; and no other country, per-
haps, has better cause and feels more sincere
in its observance While there are other
nations that are older, none have passed
through a darker period and been called to
meet more trying ordeal than this coun-
try faced from '6I to '65. In that struggle
where section was arrayed against section,
state against state and brother against
brother, where the best blood of the land
| flowed like water and, at times, it seemed
the Union must be rent asunder, when
victory alternately perched on the stand
ards of the NoraA.sand South. and from
every battlefield coming reports, carrying
sorrow and desolation to many homes, it
was there that this day had its real birth
in this country.
In that conflict of brothers almost half
million of men gave up their lives and an
other half million were manned. 1t is but
natural, then that such a contest-the
greatest recorded in history-should create
feelings and resurrect memories that could
never die. And it is, ALSO natural that
some of those memories are unpleasant
and that time alone can heal; and we are
witnesses that it has taken generation to
little bitterness remains, the veterans who
wore the blue and those who wore the gray
meet and shake hands across the bloody
chasm and grant each to the other the right
to express his veneration for his principles
that have long since been settled and be-
come matters of history.
And beginning at Columbus, Mississippi,
when the thunders of cannon had scarcely
ceased their roar where the daughters OF
that old commonwealth met to strew flow
ers over the fallen and finding there the
graves of soldiers in blue, tenderly covered
the grave of friend and foe alike; until, a,
this time, this beautiful custom of Joint
decoration has extended to all points, anC
the graves of Confederates, buried or
northern soil, are not neglected, and the
grave of the Union soldier in the south i.
, decked with flowers.
But there is another society that had it
birth in the midst of this struggle, that alst
selects this day to pay its tribute to de
t parted worth. 1t has no glorious deed
, performed on the field of battle nor heroic
| actions to recount; but it has memories
$ sacred memories are far removed
+ from war and its turmoil. Its principle j
: ccpt is Peace on earth good will to men
4 And this being so, ii has, no doubt, as al