The Newtown bee., 1906-06-08

thoughtful people, for it has to do the
greatest thing in the world-to govern
ITSELF" 1t is we'll to spend dav like
this in serious thought, thought on
the origin and history of our country,
on it's viciSSitudes and triumphs, its
dangers, our duties as citiZenS Only
in this way, shall we be melted to live
up to the high standard of American
citizenship. If we forget what our
danger that we undervalue them.
Sometime ago one of our leading
journals was asked if the flag on Dec
Grafton day should be at half mast, or
should float from the masthead. It's
answer was that it should float from
the masthead. The flag at half mast
is symbol of sadness, of sorrow. But
this is not day of gloom. 1t is true
we commemorate the dead, but the
dead whose death was glorious. The
Christian church has always celebrat-
ed with Joy the days on which
tbs ther %ats deatS be1 dea asS Ss9aSss Gad a6S by
the church, and their death
life-the life eternal. Next to God is
country and next to religion is patrjo-
tism. 1t has been said: "No praise
goes beyond the deserts of patriotism.
1t is sublime in it's heroic oblation on
field Of battle" "Oh! glorious is he
who for his country falls" exclaims
the Trojan warrier, Hector. 50 in a
measure Memorial day is day of glad
ness. We rejoice that the heroic dead
had the virtue and power to give
themselves for their country. They
need not sorrow for them. We re-
joice that we as Americans share their
renOwn.
But we should regret to see the day
degenerate into mere holiday, day
of mere pastimes and sports. Let our
joy on the Fourth of July be upcon-
fined, for it is the birthday of freedom; !;
let us rejoice on Washington and Lin
coins birthdays, that such men were
born into the world. But on Memori-
al day let US be thoughtful and take to
heart the lessons it brings us. Let us
learn to hate injustice, selfishness and
Indifference to the prosperity and good
name Of our country. In other words
let US learn to be just, unse)tish and
patriotic. The
MEN WHOM WE HONOR TO-DAY HATED
INJUSTICE.
A great wrong was being perpetrated
on whole race: Human beings were
held in a bondage worse than death.
They were treated as chattels,
bought and sold like beasts of bur-
den. Ground under the heels of
their tyrannical masters, ringing be-
meath the lash great was the inj uStice
under which they suffered.
But these soldiers of '61, living and
dead, righted that wrong and justice
prevailed. We cannot be blind to the
fact that much injustice exists to-day.
While human nature is what it is,
there will always be cunning, schem
ing, unscrupulouS men, who will try
to pervert or evade the laws OF their
country for their own aggrandizement,
and to the detriment of their fellow
citizens. The remedy for this is a
healthy moral public sentiment. II
the majority are honest, eminently
Just, these evils cannot last. The
American people are often easy-going,
long-suffering. Most of us are shocked
at the revelations, SO frequently made,
of dishonesty and infidelity in public
and private trusts. 1t often happens
that men too readily condone these
sins. have seen men smile at the
mention of "graft," and heard them
say: "Well, we might do the same,
were we in their place." 1t ought not
be so. Honest and Just ourselves, we
ought not tolerate it in others. Our
voices should ever be raised and our
influence used that honesty may pre-
vail. Honest and just ourselves, we
should never be afraid to smite with
the strong right arm Of righteousness
and probity every wrong no matter
who may be it's victim-be he rich or
poor, white or black, Jew or GENTLE.
How unSelfish were those SOldierS!
They gave all that men hold dear.
They abandoned their work, their
business. They sundered the dearest
ties of blood. Husbands left their
wives, lovers their SweetheartS, sons
their parents; and they did this for
love of country. What generosity
What unselfishneSs! Is it too much to
expect that We initiate them in some
degree? We are not called upon to
make the sacrifices they did. But is it
asking tco much that we be public
spirited? That we take an interest in
the election of honest and true men to
Office? That we do what we can for
the enforcement of laws that make for
the good of all the people? We must
not live for ourselves individually,
seeking our private interests only, but
as members Of an organized society we
should seek the public good. Am
my brothers keeper? Every Ameri-
can is the keeper of bis country'S laws,
and of his country's good name. Fin
ally, the