The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1908-06-03

front III all movements Tor the rlgnf,
and for the best welfare of our cour-
try.
In this materialistic age. when
things are so much on a mathemati-
cal and commercial basis, too often
is the biggest nation" considered
the most important, and the richest
man the greatest. But let us ask
ourselves thoughtfuly and calmly.
what it is that characterizes the
greatness we should honor? Consid-
ering the lives of the worlds truly
great men. we see that the qualities
which make for greatness are cour-
age, self-sacrifice, devotion to duty,
patriotism, sterling character and
Goodness. These qualities our veter-
ans have revealed in their lives.
From wars bloody turmoil they
have taken their position in the quiet
ways of peace and with the same bra
very which characterized them on the
| field, have faced the questions col-
| fronting our nation. and they teach
us, of the present generation, the val
Tie of the soldierly qualities. Let us
take off our hats to the dear old vet
Grams whenever we meet them.
Let us study our nations glorious
history, and realize her greatness
under Gods directing hand. Let us
prize the manifold blessings of our
free country. and may patriotism
| swell within our hearts and our
whole souls determine to uphold to
the best of our ability the mighty
union preserved to us by the strug-
giles and triumphs of that noble band
of patriots who have their honored
representatives in this company here
today
! Friends. when we march to the
beat of the muffled drum through
the city of the dead, our feet are
wont to tread lightly, our voices are
hushed to silence, our minds are i'm
pressed with the sacredness of this
day, and there comes over us a feel
ing of profound solemnity. Fellow
citizens. in recent years there has
been tendency toward making Me-
mortal Day a holiday, day of cele-
bl alton and revelry. Ball games, pic
MICS, golf, auto racing and the like
seem to have held full sway. Thus
the day lost all Of ITS original mean
ing, leaving only the surviving COM
rades, their auXiliaries, school chill
dren and friends to wend their way
/ to the cemeteries to place a floral
offering on the graves of the fallen
comrades who sacrificed their lives
for the preservation of the union
Thus signifying their appreciation OF
the sacrifices they made for us as
people, and the inestimable blessings
that have come TO us.
We are glad, however. today to
note that a step in the right drec-
ton has been taken by the Imp Or
der of Red Men, hy passing resolu-
tons to assist us in the proper OBJ
servance of this day And we hope
that ere another year shall have
rolled around, that the whole people
of America will come to realize the
significance of the day, and return
to the ideals of our fathers. and make
this day day Of general respect for
the nations dead
AS S. of VS. we wonder how far
the people of America will so if we
fail to call a halt? The question
comes to Us, when the last comrade
has gone, will we cease to have Me-
mortal Day? Nay verify, as long as
we live our duty is to perpetuate
this sacred day
The Passing of the Veteran.
(By Chas. Newton, Buells Post, Mar
ietta, o.
The years roll by, time swiftly wings
its flight,
We're growing old.
The wintry blast has touched us with
its blight,
We're growing old
Our eyes are dimmed, our ears refuse
to hear,
Our faltering steps proclaim the end
Is near,
1t was not thus when treason raised
its head
Then we were young.
When strong men paled and al was
doubt and drear,
Then we were young
At Lincolns call we fought for lib
erty,
A land we saved. people we set