Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-05-25
ROSES FOR THE BLUE.
Georgians Would Honor Federal Hero.
ism by Observing Decoration Day.
(Augusta [Ga.1 Herald


May 80 has been set aside by north
ern states as Decoration day. Every
where that a federal soldier is buried
his last resting place is made beautiful
on this date by loyal hards and loving
hearts. The soldiers body for the time
being rests under mounds Of buds and
blossoms. while the flag for which he
IfOught-cur ilag-flutters at half-staf
| above his tomb. In many places on
Decoration day the grrves of con-
| federate soldiers are strewn with flow
ers by northern men and women who
have forgotten the .latreds Of war and
the rancors Of reconstruction. Every
now and then news items find their way
into the pages of the press. where form
er foes of southern soldiers become
their admirers and place chaplets above
| the graves Of men who followed Lee, as
tributes to their bravery. fortitude and
undying devotion to the cause they
thought right. Such acts as these
demonstrate beyond the power of argu-
n,ent the rewelding IF the sections into
a grand and virile natiOn, IS it was be-
fore The terrible war. in which brother
slew brother and sons and fathers sent
steel and lead against each other.
|
does not welcome these signs of peace
and friendship. Orators may prate in
national gatherings and tell in spread
eagle metaphors of the greatness and
goodness of the new ratification, but ali
| their e!oQuence fails to impress the
southern heart with the sincerity of
| some northern community when 1t
places above the grave of confederate
l ia.t oil, t,,.l~ h,yr,a NJ
blossoms of the spring. Here is the
act without hope Of reward, the act
| that has no motive hidden in it's doing
an act Of friendship, an act of fra
| tern!ty and the action of hearts that
are large enough to "ealiZe that the
dead confederate soldiers were Ameri
| cans. and their bravery was but the re-
] flcN of the nation.
| There are in the neighborhOOd Of Au-
gnsta the graves of federal soldiers.
These graves are located at the arsena!
and will. of course, be cared for by the
national authorities but would it not DO
n sweet tribute worthy of southern
sentiment for the people Of this vicinity
to take part in this ceremony? At
this season Of the year I.ature is >gener
Gus with the choicest Of Ter flowers i'm
iIliS tltN anu tUu!lly. 30 ar
these beautiful gifts Of nature that
their sole value is their beauty and
their fragrance. Every one has access
to gardens. and the people should. like
spring be generous ana heap the graves
Of the Union dead at :ilc arsenal with
the natural decorations Of the season.
All of the poor fellows resting in the
shade CT the arsenal trees are far from
the homes where they We're reared. and
their graves cannot have the care Of the
hands of loved ones. 1t would be gra-
cious act for the people OF Augusta to
remember this fact and see to it that
distance shall not cheat these American
soldiers of the honor and rcmembrances
that are due them. Here in Georgia
they are not resting IN aler soil They
are in the land of thai" fathers and the
home of their friends GeorgianS
should see that these American graves
are remembered in 4 more cordial MAN.
nor than that which official act will
give. :, .