The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-07-17
5 FOR THE Blue.
Georslans Would Honor Federal
Heroism BY Observing Deco
ration Day.

~
From the Augusta (Ga.) Herald
May 30 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 beauti.
full on this date oy loyal hands and
loving hearts. The soldiers body for
the time being rests under mounds OF
buds and blossoms while the flag for
which he fought-our rag-futters
al half.staff above his tomb. In many
places ON Decoration Day the graves
of Confederate soldiers are strewn
with flowers by Northern men and
women who have forgotten the hatreds
Of war and the rancors OF reconstruc.
ton. Every now and then news items
find their way into the Lages of the
press, where former foes Of southern
soldiers come their admirers and
place chaplets above the graves Of men
who followed Lee, as tributes to their
bravery, fortitude and undying devo-
toin to the cause they thought right.
Such acts as these demonstrate be.
yond the power Of argument the re-
Welding of the sections into a grand
ard Nirile nation, as f. was before the
terrible wa, in which brother slew
brother and sons and fathers sem
steel and Leaf against each other.
There can be no true American who
docs not welcome these signs of peace
and friendship. Orators n cy prate in
national gatherings and tell in spread.
eagle metaphors of the greatness and
goodness OF the new ~unifcation, but
al tEeir eloquelce fails to impress the
Southern heart 9Th the sincerity of
some Northern community when 1t
places above the grave of a Confeder.
ate soldier its sin lie tribute-a bunch
of blossoms of the spring. Here is
the at wi hout horc of reward, the
act that has no motive hidden in its
doing-an act Of friendship, an act Of
Fraternity AMI the action Of hearts
that are large enough to realize that
the dead Confederate soldiers were
Americans, and their bravery was but
tne rC!eN OF tue nation.
There are In tae ncigEborhood of
Augusta the graves OF federal soldiers.
These graves are located Mt the arse.
nal, and will, of course, be cared for
by the national authorities, but would
1t not be a sweet tribute. worthy Of
Southern sentiment, for the people of
this vicinity to take a part in this cere-
mony? At this season Of the year ma
ture Is generous with he choicest of
her flowers in this city and county.
So abundant are these beautiful gifts
of nature that their sole value is
their beauty and their fragrance. Ev-
cry n has access 10 gardens. and the
people should, like spring. be gener.
Gus and heap the graves OF the Union
dead at the arsenal with the natural
decorations of the season. All of the
poor fellows resting in the shade OF
the arsenal trees are far from the
homes where they were reared and
tneir graves cannot have the care Of
the hands OF loved ones. 1t would be
n gracious act for the people of Au.
susta to remember this fact and see
to it that distance shall not cheat these
American soldiers of the honor and
remembrance that are due them. Here
in Georgia they are not resting In alien
soil. They arc in the land of their
fathers and the home of their friends.
Georgians should see hat these Amer.
lean graves are remembered in a
more cordial manner than that which
official act will give.
House carpenter and contractor.
Always ready and responsible. Cali
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