The Yale expositor., 1903-06-05
YALE ST. Clair County, Mich" FRIDAY. s. 1908

things and won distinguished honors.
How many OF You saw your hopes YER
itiedy Instead of few short weeks in
which you supposed the whole matter
would be ended the weeks dragged into
months, the months into years, four
long years. what changes can be
wrought IN that time. And all of the
changes OF that period was not wrought
by southern shot and shell or the nigh
" clash OF arms. In the north, out OF
hearing OF cannon roar there were
changes taking place in your absence
The loving old mother who, Spartan
like, forced back the tears while she
kissed you goodbye. but, when you
were gone and could not see her great
grief, wept her heart out for the boy
which she felt she had sacrificed on her
country's altar, and when you did rc-
turn 10 was TO be told that she slept ov-
er there ia the church yard. How many
aged fathers. being deprived of a sons
sustaining arm, bravely struggled to
take the vacant place aud sank under
the burden. How many delicate wife
without husbands protecting care,
sank and wited by the wayside. Yes,
there were changes In the north. But
of all the changes of that time, you were
the most changed OF all The beardless
boy whose life had always ran rs quiet
ly and peacefully as the brooks by
which he sported and whose ears had
never heard a more unpleasant note
than father calling % get up at half
past five in the moruing-had become
a hardened, bearded warrior. A being
who could look without tremor on
carnage and blOodshed. "A trained, hard
ened. disciplined part of that splendid
machine, one million men strong, which
reviewed la Washington - years ago
this month, the greatest army the cen
tury ever saw. Yes. you were changed.
but the change was an enobling one.
Army life is one of the best disciplines
i'm the world, one of the greatest schools
In which 70 learn the duties OF life.
While the war OF the rebellion made
warriors aud heroes. II also made or
der loving, systematic, intelligent citi-
Zens. rne war was great character
bdilder. lt taught patriotism. that
most important of lessons, IL taught
81 II DENIAL aud self sacrifice. IL develop
ed courage. IL taught Obeyance 10 those
in authority. il disciplined the soldier
IN hundred different ways aud made
him marked man. Aud how quickly
you took your old accustomed places
In the various walks of life when the
work for the nation had been done.
Within three months after that nigh
~ army one million strong. seasoned
veterans. the wonder and admiration
of the civilized world. had ceased to be-
a necessity to the nation. four tiiths OF
IL had melted away, dropped quietl,
back into the peaceful walks OF life.
No less wonderful was the rushing To
arms of such a mighty army OF men at
their cuuutry's call, than were the ease
aud rapidity with which they quietly
resumed the usual vOcatiOns OF civil
life when peace was restored.
IL remains with Us the present gen
Grafton To see that the lessons of the
past are not lost. You who have set
the noble example before us should al
ways be remembered. not only with
substantial protection 10 your declin-
ing years. but we should yield To you
that respect and honor which your
merits deserve and tell our children OF
your brave deeds that they thereby
may learn lessons OF loyalty.