Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-31
EJL0CY. SONG AND .CARLANDs.
Memorial Day Exsrcises Were impressive and of the
 Kind that Memory Never Foreets.

1 PllHsS VI tuc SOuHectlCul SOluIcM OIl I every battlefield of the civil war and
 in every engagement they gave n good
 account of themselves.
 The speaker devoted some time to an
 explanation of the causes which led up I to the war between the north and
 south, and gave very nice explana-
 ton of how every difference was drop
 ped and all became of one mind as soon
 as if became known that the Star Of 1 the West had been fired upon while gO-
 ing to the assistance of Major Ander-
 son at Fort Sumter. Then all discus
 sion as to the right or the wrong of
 the different questions that had agitat-
 ed the public mind ceased and all good citizens rose up as one man and vowed l to stand together until the seeding l states were brought back into the un- ion and made sensible of the fact that
 slavery and freedom no longer could 1 exist under the stars and stripes, iiag
 which stood for freedom for all. not freedom for priviledged few Fatl- l CT Q Brien cOunseled a careful study of the history of the civil war. but he didn't want anybody to read it with Il
 feeling towards those who took part on
 the opposite side. He would have that I forgotten. They too loved their flag
 and did their duty nobly as they saw 1t. l The address was delivered on the
 knoll near the Hibernian plot and was 1 pronounced by all who heard 1t as q very able treatment of the subject and
 evidently prepared with a view to make a lasting impression on the minds of the children for whom the occasion had
 q special interest.
 After the address of Father O'Brien the pupils of St Mary's school rendered q song. '.rhe American Soldier" in a very pleasing manner. The time and
 harmony being excellent, and it re- fecte,l much credit on, the music teachers of the institution.
 The following selection was then read with a clear voice and good ex- pression by Nora Griffin:
 LEST WE FORGET
 Test we forget Bring forward the flowers and lay them upon the graves of the dead soldiers They fought good fight and after the bat tie they sleep well. Let the people gather and listen to recitals of the valor and patriotism of the men who took such active part in the times that threatened the safety of the people.
 Dangers past too often are forgotten. Gratitude even is mortal, for one may fail to recall debts that are more pre- cious in value than those measured by the hard and shining gold. Since Alp pomattoX another generation has been born. and q full generation of people has passed away. The young soldiers of the civil war who survive are in the serA of age. Active work no longer can be performed by these. The new CT generation has taken their places. They live in the eyentful past. made glorious by their heroic deeds.
 Gone now those weighty differences which could be settled only by the shedding of much blood. They were issues so great that our fathers, Wash ington, Hamilton. Jefferson and Madi- son. left them to be determined by q future generation. There are ques- tions. so weighty that the sword only may decide them. The civil war was The opposition of party could not be bridged by argument. No words of elOquence could unite north ; and south upon the stupendous prob lem of union or secession. They were ! brave men who held their views to be ! sacred and worthy to be defended with 1 life as we'll as fortune. How well these | heroes attested thei' courage is told ln the history of Antietam. shiloh Gettys- burg and Wilderness. Each side met | north or south. these soldiers main- tained the integrity of American citi- They differed honestly and they fought honestly, each to maintain | the principles each believed to be righteous.
 The battles are over and with the smoke of the final combat disappeared the Issues that divided tho people. But rare should be had that the memory of Inc deeds of these men shall be kept fresh. It Is in deeds that men live for ever. Heroic action Is crowned with and shall never die.
 These heroes of the civil war being lead do speak. Their deeds have been recorded by the historians and shall never die. The living of today Ire io be congratulated that if is per nitted them to see and know many survivors among those who charged and who gave and took sabre strokes and passed through hailstorms If bullets for their country's sake and .od's.
 Jest we forget" Tell of the deeds if these men. Let it be known how hey braved all. endured all. suffered III. that the Union might be saved. f .et fl bc told that their heroism in- ensificd the merit of the cause. made .iorious by reason of it's exalted prin- iple.
 The pageant moves on. Fewer the lumber of those who fought. Thosef; he line now march with unsteady feet. Time does moi neglect its office ever. nd soon lt will do it's complete work rith all of these men. But Decoration lay will survive this generation and encration after generation to follow. When the people cease 10 honor it they Till have learned to forget It's lessons nd io hold courage and patriotism in a esteem.
 Hut such things will not he. The eartbeat of the people is as the pulse f the soldiier-heroes. dead and living he country is dear to all. and what , of the country and what contributed } it's glory will he held and cherished I , grateful recollection forever.
 This was followed by the Star