Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-30

Chairman Committee Decoration and Grounds.
ing Army. Not head but will be bare
when above the gray locks OF the pitiful
few the shell-torn, shot-scarred flag is
carried by. Not heart but VIII be quick
ened by the sight and by the realization, to
the full. of what very soon must be. For
there are many new-made graves to cover
deep today in blooms Each noon, when
the sun is high above, the buSle sounds
the last farewell to twenty-five of these.
Twenty-Five a day. And they are such a
pitiful few, Twill be hardly apprecia-
BILE time, events reckoned in this
swiftly moving age, before the black
crossed muster rolls alone remain of all
the gallant regiments that marched back
from the civil war. Here and there per-
haps, in this not distant time, will be found
some ancient hero of the war, living long
beyond his allotted span, to keep with us
for just a little longer space, the living
memory of the once great Union host
some bit of wartime human driftwood
stranded high and left behind by the swift
onward rush of time, to sit in sun-warmed
idleness and dream, perchance. while walt
ing for the end of the far-off days of old
when the nation was torn asunder and dan
ger threatened the flag. Then will come
the last roll Gala roll call of just one
the volleys three will crash, the bugle
sound and the last grave Will be filled
Deeper and Purer Significance.
Perhaps these things will be thought of
by almost every one who witnesses today
the march-past of The Vanishing Army.
Perhaps that is the greatest reason why,
with every passing Memorial day the cere-
monial takes on a deeper and a purer sig
nitlcance. Certainly the day was observed
here-and the busy wires say the same or
all parts of the country-on an even more
solemn and impressive scale than usual.
Business was suspended not only in the
various departments of the government but
everywhere throughout the city, and people
of all classes and of all grades, rich and
-poor, old and young, united in perpetuating
the memory of the thousands of heroic
dead in the eight national cemeteries
around the national capital. Soldiers monu
ments and statues on the government res
ervations We're flag -drapcd, flags on all the
public buildings and on thousands of pri-
vate residences were at half-staff, and the
national colors, with the folds caught up In
bands of somDer crepe. were everywhere
to be seen. AT Arlington Battle Ground
and other national cemeteries the cere-
monies We're elaborate, and the street pa
rAf was witnessed by thousands who lined
tke curbs on both sides Of the way, cheer
ing bareheaded in silent reverence when
the pitiful few marched bye.
And is this not as 1t should be? But
little longer and there will be no veterans
In the line to march in even hating fashion
to honor their comrades who dwell in the
cities of the dead 1t has come to be, 1t
seems, as If Memorial day We're as much
in honor of the veterans who live as the
heroes who sleep. For, while one is
outward observance, and as sincere as it
can be, the other springs from within,
needing no direction. but voluntarily offer
ing the tribute of love- gratitude and deep
est patriotism to the boys of 81. So, to-
day. pitIfully few in numbers, but strong
in example to the nation, The Vanishing
Army makes its march past in review.