New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-30
THE DAY.

Memorial Day this year is marked with
special pathos by the fact Unexpectedly reported
from Washington that despite the recent extern
sion Of the pension system 10 what are prac-
ticaly the widest limits possible the roll shows
a decided decrease. That Is an eloquent
hinder OF the steady and rapid passing away OF
the soldiers OF the great war, OF the increasing
number OF graves to be decorated and the de
creasing number of Old comrades left to deco
rate them. 1t is appropriate, in view OF this
circumstance, that the observance Of the day
should this year take Il somewhat more serious
perhaps might almost say ii somewhat less
friyolous-tone than has recently been usual.
There will be no doubt widespread Indulgence
In sports and merrymaking but these things
not quite So predominantly exploited In other
years, while functions more in keepin:: with the
spirit and purport of the day are put to the
fore. In one state there is, indeed, to be
forced a stringent law forbiddlng the desecra-
tion OF the day with any public sports That
measure is not Of interchangeable wisdom. for
il is of as questionable propriety and practical
ity 10 try to make men patriotic as TO make
them religious by statute enactment. With the
end aimed at, however we must cordially SYM
pathiZe. 1t ought TO be possible for Us 10 de-
vote at least one day in the year to serious, II
not solemn, thoughts of the Republic and of
those whose labors and sacrifices made 1t. pre-
served it and glOrifed 1t.
Thus entirely fitting is the ceremony which
apart from the Grand Army services viii chiefly
distinguish the day in this city. the unwilling of
the eleven new tablets in the Hall Of Fame 1t
VIII in part be n true Memorial Day observ-
ance. since one Of those tablets is in memory OF
one Of the foremost heroes of the Civil War. and
1t will be unveiled by detachment of the Grand
Army of the Republic, while representatives Of
other patriotic bodies, identified with Colonial
and Revolutionary as we'll with modern times.
and with the South as well as the North. will
participate in the exercises of the hour. Nor
will The lovers and apostles Of peace now so
much in evidence, have cause TO crittcse the oc-
casion for its exploitation OF the military hero
For the Peace Society itself. as wei! rs the
Grand Army, will take part in the ceremonies
nd II Is TO be noted that Of the eleven names on
the tablets only two those of warriors and
on the tablet Of one of them are his earnest
words. War is cruelty and you cannot refine
1t; | want peace" while on that of the other is
me expression of his sole ambition not to fight
for the sake Of fighting but to teach the world
that the American flag means something and
must he respected Also the two men Of let
ters whose tablets are To he unveiled were one
of them the author Of the tcrSa irenc. as for
war | call il murder" ana the other the dis
tlnctIye and pre-emncnt poet of peace
This entire collection of eleven names Is In
fact, equally with the twenty-nine first chosen.
typical of the best qualities and aspira-
tions of American life There are two distin-
guished men Of letters, three statesmen each
unsurpassed in his special department of states
manshp great soldier n great sailor. n great
scientist and three distinguished teachers Also
under another classification, there are three
women and three Americans of foreign birth
1t is an illustrous roll, well worthy of inscrip-
ton in the stately colOnnade at New York Uni
verslty, and suggesting In each one Of its varied
personalities reflections appropriate to this day
and profitable to all Americans Mt all times
The world, says Mr.. John Morley will never
be able TO spare lis hero: nor will the time
ever come when the remembrance of heroes-of
peace as well as of war and the cone mplati0n
of their achievements will not exercise in some
degree moral uplifting toward thel:. own eX-
allied standard. That is the consideration which
makes Memorial Day time to be parpetually
observed, and such place as the Hal of Fame
shrine 10 be devoutly cherished