The state herald., 1908-05-29
MEMORIAL
DAY
Not Entirely One of Mourning

4 x x 4 4 4 4: a: a: 4 Il 4 Il Il a: Z z IA A; 4 4; 4
kH EMORIAL DAY should not be
NE regarded as a day Of mourning.
ava Symbols Of grief used in CON
neCtion with the memorial exercises
all save the draping of fiags-seem
out Of place,
The annual celebration OF the fame,
the sacrifices and the glory of the SOL
diers Of the union is a beautiful Gus
TOM but the day was never meant
for time set apart for lamcntation.
The nation pays a tribute OF flow
ers, OF song and words of praise and
appreciation to its glorious dead, and
It is in a spirit of tender pride and
eXaltatlon that the holiday should be
celebrated It has been mistake
to cover the day with crepe
Certainly there must be sad hearts
on this day. but If Memorial day is
made what Il should be there will
be brought to the widow and the IA
therless consolation and strength.
Comfort and wholesome thought are
suggested by the tribute of a whole
country To- those who pledged their
lives for the land of their love In It's
time OF need.
Let us not put on mourning gar.
ments and make n gloomy day out ui
the beautiful festival OF honoring the
glorious dead.
For how can man die bcttcr than facing
fearful odds
For the nehcs Of his fathers. and the al
tnrs Of his gods2"
II you want to get the NJ inspIra.
tIon Of the day, go early in the morn
ing to any OF the Gods acres which
are ever around the dwellings of the
living There. in the dcwy quiet,
where there is no sound but the
songs Of birds and the sighlng Of the
wind in the trees. you will look upon
the graves where loving hands have
set the little flags which dell that Il
soldier sleeps his last sleep below.
Then. MS the morning freshness
withers under the sun. you see the
forms Of men and women and chill
drcn bending over the places where
their loved ones rest and you will be
reminded that love uutlives death. The
comfort OF God comes TO those who
set flowers over longmado graves.
You will at last. hear the sound Of
music. and so will be announced the
arrival Of the Grand Army and other
veterans on their duty Of the day
The old men march 10 a central place
and with bowed heads listen TO IA
prayer and then sing a hymn. The
voice Of one. perhaps. rises In an ora
tIon upon the heroes Of patriotism.
Then the little procession starts upon
It's Journey and visits every HOldlorH
grave. laying flowers upon the grass
90 lately sprung from the sleep Of
. winter
| Yes. your eyes will be full Of tears
hut thcy will not be the tears which
burn. not tears OF misery and grief
but those tears uf universal uplifting
emotion which make as nll feel the
bonds 8f human brotherhood Reno.
waiting tears. that relieve The heart
aud make It seem Jess OF au enigma.
An day long loving hands bring
flowers as offerings 90 the memory NJ
tho meelnsh brave. uu and on $50
the sun sets tIroInss feet walk hy tho
decorated graves. uUuziur now and
then while a stroller reads % tribute
craven upon some stone ur notes the
offering OF blossoms 0u some other.
wise unmarked mound
And when evening fmH ho Lowell
rays of tho sun lIg. I.Eu o. hru"d.glIun.
unBn the pIucos whore tho love of
human hoarla ha. huHued up the treas
ures of May 600 tribute 20 tho SONS
aud the martyrs 0T freedom
Tho som 0f May 4. daE 0f Eln.
Heus. Inspiring remembrance. one
when. Ir tears arc shed they aro only
,anrH which auouiy without burden
.ne tho heart