Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-05-30

banners may be more gorgeous and
more venerable, but no other can
have such significance for us. Not
holiday bauble. but a consecrated
symbol is that colored bunting to
one who can read tho meaning IN
the thing, symbol for which no
place is too holy, and which makes
more holy every place to which it
comes.
All honor to the men who un-
condit1onally relinquished the CON-
forts and endearments of home,
and, with an uncompromising at
titude, held all hardships as but
light Affections, smiled at danger,
and faced death with a firmness
worthy the martyrs of old, that
Old Glory" might wave unstained.
Think you that in their patriotism
and inv1ncible courage, there was
not greatness as lofty as ever was
recompensed by Grecian laurels or
commemorated in poets song?
We talk with admiration of the
generals who led our armies to
victory, but. what could they have
done without the men who followed
them with their muskets? There
were times when the fate of a battle
depended not upon the sagacity of
the commander, but upon the fdel-
ity of every man in the ranks.
There were times when the issue
hung, not upon the vigilance of the
general who lay sleeping in his
tent, but on the sleepless vigilance
OF the sentinel who paced his weary
beat. Yes, we honor the men
whose names are forever engraved
on the shield they did so much to
save, but our hearts go out with
not less grateful recognition to the
man who carried the musket and
the cartridge box, and who Law
down IN his faded coat or blue to
rest in an unknown grave. Thank
God for the leaders, but glory and
honor and thanksgiving, would
without end, to the men who fol-
lowed
How can we fittingly speak Of
those who still survive? The lives
of members Of the G. A, r. average
fully 10 years less than they would
had they remained at home pursu-
ing the ordinary duties Of life, and
when we see them, as we sometimes
do, lacking energy, spiritless, and
wanting in ambition, we should re-
member the malarial swamps where
they were compelled to live, the
forced marches, unsuitable and
scanty food, and the terrible excite
ment of battle, which sapped
the foundation of their health and
enervated their systems.
If the nation should ever cease to
pay heartfelt tributes Of gratitude
and love to those who carry the re-
suits of their patriotic sacrifices on
the march, in the camp, and on the
battlefeld-if generous impulses
should ever cease to prompt noble
and liberal pensions-then would
commence an era of selfshness that
would mark our decline IN great
ness, prosperity and magnanimity.
Ladies OF the Relief Corps" you
have assumed the duty of caring for
the destitute widows and orphans.
and the disabled veterans, and SO
the benediction of those ready to
perish falls uponIyou, and you have
made many a sad heart ring for
JOY. Your kindness, like reflected
light, brightens and abeautifies your
own spirits-like a summer shower.
it makes every virtue spring up.
like lovely flowers that open and
smile to greet you. AS the lake
sleeping in placid beauty in the
bosom of a mountain, mirrors in
its tranquil depths surrounding
objects and the over-arching sky,
SO your deeds mirror theStenderer
and humaner side of the Grand
Army.
Ii we cast but glance 1along the