The National tribune., 1904-05-05
MEMORIAL DAY.
observaacss Suggested by a California
Veteran.

question on the blank for me as Post
Chaplain tn fill is this: What can you
suggest tn improve and make more inn
pressive the exercises of Memorial Day"
L want To answer more fully than the
space on the blank will admit, hence this
letter.
Some things suggested we cannot con-
troll in this free country only by the
power of public sentiment through the
press and public address. Already there
is some Improvement. AS far as possible
prevent all holiday amusements. such as
races. ball games and picnics on that day.
n fraternal order in San Francisco sent
me the program for n picnic to he held on
that day. l denounced it in the first meet
ing of our lodge: l sent memorial to
the Grand Lodge. wrote to those arrange
ing the picnic, and hope to prevent a
the practice of those who have friends
buried. who were not soldiers of leaving
May 30 wholly to the soldiers. In one
instance the whole community seemed to
he out, and some graves were layishly
decorated. SO that the decorations on sol
diers' graves were OvcrshadOwed by the
number of graves of persons not soldiers
cred with flowers.
Let the services Memorial Sunday and
Memorial Day be exclusively G. a. r.
affair-preachers. speakers. marshals. etc,
all veterans. There arc as eloquent and
able men among the old soldiers as any i'm
the land: but even if it We're not so, there
is special appropriateness in giving them
the work to do; and they can do it; they
know as none other can what they are
talking about and / repeat. there are
veterans in every community-ministers
Judges, and others-who are the equal Of
any as speakers.
Not far away on last Memorial Sunday
hoI
ut was excellent every way, prayer by
young man not Il citizen of the place,
and also the benedction, while n veteran
soldier and minister sat on the platform
with just seven verses of scripture to read
as his part of the service. Perhaps the
fact that the pastor who arranged the
program and the men prominent on it
are brothers accounts for the facts. In
some cases it is thought necessary to ask
participants in the last war to take
part, and civil and fraternal organizations.
The Sons Of Veterans may very properly
act as escort, or. perhaps take some minor
part in the services. but the men Of 81
every other war in which the Nation was
ever engaged. Others arr MS brave, and
III every war from the Revolution to the
last were victorious, and all other nations
admit that our present army, "Our boys"
is the best on earth; but admitting all, it
still remains that in several respects the
war Of 81 must stand alone. We met the
best fighting foe Americans ever met, for
were not they Americans too? We were
in it longer, suffered more because suffer
ed longer. were in the biggest army ever
mustered on American soil; though not so
far from home as our boys in Manila, yet
many Of us did not see home for three
years or more. ] spent three months in
hospital, yet for three years did not leave
4 a Fo<I
mother.
Most important of all, we were fighting
for life, the life Of the Nation; winning,
all we now enjoy and more assured; los
ing, great Nation rent in twain, large
standing army OH each side, with forts,
arsenals all along the border multiplied:
petty quarrels. slaves fiockng across the
line; our great debt continued unpaid;
thousand difficulties constantly arising;
progress and growth hindered. etc. Put
the best possible outlook on the case of
the two Nations as they would have been
with hatreds and jcalousies. and compare
with our present condition before the
world.
All we are, all we shall yet be, we owe
TO the yalor, patience. endurance, loyalty,
suffering and death of the veterans. Make
May ~ the greatest day in the year, and
the Sunday preceding fitting preparation
for 1t. Business ought to stop at least n
part OF the day. everybody turn out to
see. salute, cheer and honor the veterans
as they march to the music of the old men
who can yet blow fife or bugIe and beat
the drums, and listen to such of their
number as they themselves select to
preach and speak on those days. Yes, l
am veteran and l claim only what any
thoughtful man will admit that it is my
right to claim. and am proud to do it
). y. LlscoMB, Los Angeles, Cal.