Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-05-30

nonoreO and respected before the
nations of the world. The ideal for
which the soldiers fought was, union,
that there might be a government with
power to enforce its laws and protect
its citizens, liberty and equality before
the law for all. As they marched
in battle line, the American with the
Irishman, the Irishman with the
! German, the German with the French
man or Scandinavian, the Methodist
! side by side with the Catholic, the
Episcopalian with the Presbyterian,
the Lutheran with the Baptist. There
was no national distinction or relig-
! iOus separation: war and danger
made them brothers, children alike of
their country, and mutual interest
bound them together. They were men
obeying the true and noble feeling of
the brotherhood of men.
SO in time of peace, the same prin-
ciples for which they fought should
be perpetuated, the same truths of
American justice and equality should
obtain. From every part of the
land with public voice should be
! declared that neither nationality or re-
ligion should be bar to any civil,
political or educational position. In
our universities, colleges and schools,
besides book learning, the young men
and women should be taught respect for
authority, obedience to the law, to be
industrious to work for their own and
their country's advancement, that each
one is a unit of the great nation. They
should not receive an education that
would make them too lazy or proud to
work if they could not find congenial
employment and become charges on
the public or criminals, but an eGuca-
tiOn that will enable them to take ad-
vantage of their environment and OPP
FORTUNES to advance themselves and
promote their country's good. So
also in times of peace must men be
prudent in entering upon unwise social
reforms and new and perhaps danger
Gus political theories that might
threaten the country's strength or
peace.
In the civil war, at home and at the
front, the scene of action, woman,
mans faithful companion, did her
part and showed her patriotism,
| bravery and devotion.
From home were sent kind tokens of
remembrance and affection, words of
remembrance, encouragement and
hope. On the battle field and in the
hospital self-sacrifcing and devoted
women were found, binding up the
wounds of the suffering soldier, only
as tender sister would; bathing his
feverish brow and singing him to
sleep with his moiher's lullaby. or
holding in gentle clasp the cold hand
as his soldier spirit fed. All praise
ana honor to those good and true wo-
men whether Sisters of Charity, men,
bers of the Red Gross or independent
volunteers. All praise to their sue
cessors, the members of the Relief
Corps, who are caring in the days OF
peace for the old veterans or their
children and fostering the spirit OF
loyal and patriotic charity.
The old veterans now left are getting
aged with the weight of years, their
hair is getting gray and white, their
forms are bending under the weight OF
years. Soon they may pass away:
but while they live they have the
gratitude of their country, and when
gone, as so many of their comrades
are, their memory will be held sacred
May their declining years be ones OF
rest, peace and cOntentment, may they
enjoy their happy firesides and hearths
with their friends and children; may
God bless the old soldiers for their
grand work; may God bless the sol,
diers' widows that have been true and
reared the soldiers children into
noble men and women; may God bless
the women who cOmforted the soldier
in hospital and field when their help
was needed; and God bless the mem.
bers of the Relief Corps in their good
work.
The best memorial we can give as q
proof of our gratitude is a life Of
obedience to the laws of our country
as good, true citizens-a proof that WE
appreciate that greater love no mar
can show for his friends than they
showed by freely Offering their owr
lives.