The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-05-31

ooU"eeu GAe years LOU ana 1866 was
witnessed the mighty struggle to en-
force the doctrine that ''all men are
created equal.' Before that time this
doctrine was often proclaimed, but not
until that time did men by the thou
sands and tens of thousands go to
their death to make it fact in this
our country. But that time came and
at the call of the great emancipation
you gray-haired men with more than
a million more of the flower of our
youth marched forth to prove that men
will die for liberty. Not all died on
the field of battle or in hospital.
Some are with US yet. Some are
among us today. Gray of hair,
wrinkled of face and feeble of step are
the majority of this remnant of the
bright faced boys who so ioyfully
marched to the front during that dark
struggle. It is meet, it is fitting that
we who enjoy the results of their Ia
bors and trials should once each year,
at the time when the world is abloom
with the flowers of spring and the face
OF the old earth is as a garden, gather
thus and commemorate the heroes OF
the great struggle. One of America IS
greatest painters in words has said:
1.-The sorrow for the dead is the only
| sorrow from which we refuse to be
divorced: every other wound we seek
to heal: every other affection to for
get.' But this wound we consider it a
duty to keep open: this affection we
cherish and brood over in solitude.
Where is the mother that would for
get the infant that persisted like a
| blossom from her arms? Who even
in the hour of agony would forget the
friend over whom he mourns? Who,
when he sees the grave closing over
the remains of her he most loved
would purchase happiness that must
be bought by forgetfulness?
Oh, the grave, the grave. It buries
every error, extinguishes every re-
sentiment. From it's peaceful bosom
spring naught but fond regret and
tender recollections. Thus the heart
speaks concerning those near and
dear to Us. And this day we meet to
emphasize our sorrow for a nation
dead.
But while thus expressing our sor-
row for the dead let US not forget our
duty to the living. Our government
has done something for those who
served it so we'll in the time of trial.
Much can yet be done by the govern
ment and much by us as private citi-
zens. When we meet and greet these
old boys who wore the blue when we
we're but babes let US outwardly and
in our hearts dof the hat and stand
at the salute. Let US give them the
hearty grip of the hand and the
CHEEKY word, and thus make their re-
naming days well earned period OF
respect and love. Let US remember
that they made possible the life we
now enjoy. Let them see that the
American of today does not forget
what they did in the dark days of the
nations peril. Let US put away all
frivolity and public amusements on
Memorial day and make it indeed a
day of commemoration. I note that it
is proposed to change the day from
the 3Oth of May to the last Sunday in
May of each year. The reason urged
is that this will prevent the desecra-
ton of Memorial day by pleasure
seekers who only see in this day a
holiday. There may be some merit in
the suggestion, but we should not be
compelled to resort to artificial meas
ures to compel proper observance
of this our day of national mourning.
The good taste and gratitude of this
great people should forbid any fri
volity on this day. The American
father and mother, teacher and
preacher should train up people who
would Of their own accord meet and
do honor to the nations dead. I do
not mean that we should 60 about
during the whole day CARRIED in
mourning. But we should observe
the day in a manner that outwardly
would show the Unlocking world that
we are not rejoicing. We as a nation
have one day especially set apart on
which to rejoice and be glad. All OF
US as loyal Americans on the morn
ing of the 18th of July, mentally, if not
physically, join with the small boy in
making as much noise as we can to let
the world and other planets know that
we are the biggest and proudest thing
in the way of nation that ever hap
pened on this old earth; that we are
r 4 I j.