Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-01
Soldiers Preserved Union


And this is the result OF the heroic
work of the defenders OF the Union.
Had they failed the Union would have
been dissolved, the silver cord loosed,
the golden bowl broken at its fountain
rival confederacies at war with each
other feroclous factions struggling for
supremacy; hate, malice and treachery
rampant, with one nag here and another
yonder, while "Old Glory" would be
folded up and laid away among the
memorials that preserve the memory OF
the dead republics.
We believe in the establishment and
maintenance of homes for the homeless
defenders of the republic. We believe,
TOO. in reserving space therein for the
poor. old helpless mother who gave a
husband or a son living sacrifice to
the cause of liberty.
We believe in liberal pensions for all
who deserve them.
This is not only just and right but it
will be an incentive to all patriots OF
the future who so forth to offer their
lives in defense OF their country to
know that If they fall those who are
dependent upon them viii not be for
gotten by the country for which they
died Indeed the greatest assurance Of
the prosperity of a nation is its devo-
ton to and grateful remembrance Of It's
defenders.
We are told that men are getting pen
sions who don't deserve them, because
judging from appearances they seem
not to be deserving. But who can tell
by looking at a man what his wounds
or ailments may be l assert that no
man would pass through the hardships
Of war, or march, in camp. and on the
battlefield and emerge therefrom the
same man physically and mentally that
he was when he enlisted, He may
never have received a wound, he never
may have been confined in a hospital
but nevertheless no human body can
withstand the shock and strain OF war
and be as good as he was before.
ExtoIs the Soldier
Let Us hold fast the virtues Of the
men who fought for tho Union, and
purify. enrich and adorn our country
by building higher and going farther
in our march of progress; teaching our
youth T. become good citizens. to guard
well their countrys honor, to cherish.
foster and upbuild its Industries. to love
the Union more and more as the years
are lost in the cons of time and TO let
each life be one whose polar star Is
duty, whose goal is liberty and whose
staff is justice.
We can raise monuments to the mem
DRY of these heroes by doing something
In the development of our manifold re-
sources in forest. field and mine; some
thing by sound industrial policy. by the
careful culture OF fraternal love and
regard; by the intercourse of business
and friendship; by every new discovery;
by every encouragement to gifted genius
IN every field of thought, by greater
progress in the realms of science. litera-
ture and art; by self sacrificing deeds Of
mercy and humanity; by still more
marvellous triumphs and achievements
In the boundless fields Of education;
something by all the means within our
power TO leave the Union, when we
die, stronger than when We found It.
I believe the hour has struck on the
clock of the ages whose huge pendu-
lum swings to and fro over the arch of
eenturies-when this wonderful land
shall take on never and higher types
IF nationality. New fields are fast
opening up for American adventure.
Alaska. with its teeming wealth, is only
awaiting the coming Of American en-
terprise, genius and energy to unlock
their treasures and pour them into the
pockets OF American thrift and cour-
age The Hawaiian islands and the
Philippine Islands. too. which will fur
nish homes for countless millions and
market for untold millions of our pro-
ducts are now resting under the pro-
lection Of our flag.
Opportunities Are Endless
Then. again, in the far east there are
countless millions of people to be
clothed and fed who have plenty Of
wealth who would furnish a good mar
ket for the products of our mills, and
shops, our factories and farms when
ever we can reduce the rates of trans
portation and enter into the competi-
ton with other countries. This we will
bring about by the completion Of the
construction OF the great canal now
under way. And this together with
Pacific cable which we should con-
struct and control will give us easy
communication with the Pacific ocean
destined at no distant day to float the
greater part OF the worlds commerce.
We honor today also the men who
fought for the Union In the recent war
with Spain; as result Of their heroism
today sectional lines have entirely dis
appeared in this country. The era Of
perfect reconciliation has dawned at
last AS result our nation will have
s-sater strength at home and greater
influence abroad.