Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-06-02

80 'Hioh 9oiulers uled as prisoners
/ Of war during their confinement on
+ the race course in Charleston. $. C
These were buried there In two row.
OF graves. and. when the war was
! over in lSG5. and the flag was raised
again over Fort Sumter, people felt
that some special honor should be
shown them. James Redpath. who
I was the Superintendent OF education
in the city. proposed that day be SET
apart for the decoration of their
graves, and an invitation to partiei
! pate in the service was sent to the
commander OF the fleet. Rear Admiral
I Dahlgren. Dahlgreu was kept from
taking part in the ceremonies by a
/ preyious engagement, but the program
was carried out by its originator and
mis- teachers with assistance from the
outside Henry Ward Beecher deliv.
cred the principle Grafton of the day,
and quite number of the most
prominent generals OF the war were
present and made addresses.
The idea soon became popular
among the mus cred out soldiers. In
1866 the graves of certain union pris-
ouers buried at Belle Isle were decor
ated under the direction of the mill
tary mayor of Richmond b. E. Fay,
and in 1867, II. G. Kimball Of Phlla-
dplphia urged upon Gen. John A. Lo-
gan. the commander-in-chef of the
Grand Army of the Republic, the an
propria 'eness OF setting apart an annu.
al day for the decoration OF The
graves of union soldiers everywhere
Losru's attention was called to the
practice OF the Southern women as
TO the confederate dead, and. having
conferred with hls officers, the 3Oth
and since It's naming. has been Oh
served every year.
The purpose of the occasion is to
perpetuate the heroism OF the past.
Great achievements should grow with
the ages. The works of The forefath
ers are a Legacy. Whatsoever uf
freedom. peace and plenty there is in
the land is due in a large measure
to the efforts and sacrifices OF those
saviors OF the republic whose memory
Is being commemorated; the nation
with It's expanding greatness Is an
eyer-rising monument to them: and
the present generation should add to
the superstructure its quota of work.
Great deeds renew their strength with
the sun moon and stars forever. and
the children should hand on to the
grandchildren the Inheritance re
ceiyed from the fathers with fresh
increments Of glory.
Fellow citizens, bear this in mind
as you decorate the graves OF the old
soldiers today When you go and
place your wreath of flowers on the
spot where lie the bodies OF those
who fell for their country as a sym
bol OF the tribute you owe them, re-
member also that this Is symbol OF
an Obligation The most important
part OF tbi5 service is It's suggestion
10 the effect that your duty is 10 mag
nifty ami glorify the prize bought with
their blood. The land OF their love
should be the land OF your delight.
and though there Is no reason for you
TO secriice your life in its behalf at
The present, YOU should sacrifice your
that both you and your children may
have 10 lay down your lives in the
future for your country
Doubtless this strikes the right
cord in patriotic hearts. Greater
America. Why, that is what every
one wants. Then, though there can be
an army and navy no better than the
s,t.1ggut. tIara ebnDld Ia, laru.. ,pae
So, too there is need OF a better dip
lomatic service, ana national training
schools for The representatives of the
republic that the spoils system may
be gOueu' rid Of. and selfish corpora
lions saDdued, and a new respect for
aw and the forces which make for
good government strengthened in the
minds OF the people. Greater Ameri-
ca should be a better America.
Nor is there much reason for evil
iorebodinss In this direction. Those
who complain do so for the most part
RON a lack OF understanding. Presi-
hent John II. Barrows has said on
his subject within the last year or so:
4 have lett tie pulse of national
Christian conventions. | have had my
Americanism reiortified have en-
cred the homes OF men and women
who pray to Cod for their country
The home Of many a Christian pastor.
east and west. and the home OF the
Christian president at Washington;
have talked with scholars, statesmen
,ar-sighted editors, university profes
3Jrs, and devoted women whose
hearts are aname with a pure patriot
sm; | have faced many thousands oi
college students. and Christian min
lsters. and candidates for the min. s.
try. I have stood by the grave OF the
mighty American dead, as more than
year ago | STOOD by the graves af
american missionaries in India s-
heath the rustic OF the palm tree and
he light of the Southern Cross; !
nave seen in the last six months a
puissant nation rouslng herself from
sleep, and sinking once more her in
ginclble locks, and those ti1nid and
pessimistic teachers who are warn
ing us to beware OF our destiny, and
shrink back from Il, mscouceiye and
1nderrate The mighty and noble spirit