Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-30

tant Hawaiian Islands: when we behold
our splendid navy riding the waves OF
every sea and realize that although we
are world power we at peace with
all. and that this is not only the land of
the brave and the home of the free, but
| the asylum for the oppressed of every
slime. where is there living American
who does not rejoice that the Union was
preserved and slavery destroyed?
Soldiers Grave Nations Monument.
"On this day we should realize that
every soldiers grave is the nations mon
ument. Around them for half CEN
fury the passing winds have not only
sung a requiem, but proclaimed their
victory. Not a victory of conquest but
a victory which was marked by kindness
and forgiveness. and which saved the
life of the srandest and best nation the
world has ever known We rejoice not
in the death of those whe met us in the
shock of battle, we do rejoice i'll the
death of their cause.
Many of these brave men have passed
and many now passing away. 1t
is estimated that now more than 100 of
the Union soldiers die between each ris-
ing and setting sun. The survivors and
the widows of those who are dead are
the wards of this republic and should
be rewarded with an unsparing hand.
While SO many have died and are dying.
the services they rendered their country
can never die. AS long as the Potomac
pours its waters into the bay. as long
as these firm hills shall stand. long
as these graves are watered by the clouds,
mantled by the SHOWS and gilded by the
sunshine. just so long will the name and
fame of these heroes live and their sacri-
fees be unforgotten.
ITO the brave soldiers who served the
Unior this country owes debt of i'm
perishable gratitude Whenever l hear
complaint of the pensions which these
brave men are drawing. my mind travels
back to the full realization of all the SUI
fering they endured and ] cannot help
but feel within my heart a contempt for
one who makes such a complaint.
Dismissal of Aged Clerks Deplored.
Il have seen with pain that many old
soldiers and soldiers widows are being
turned out of the government service in
order to economic expenses. This upon
the part of the government seems to me
to be an ungrateful and disloyal act.
These widows gave their husbands 10 the
nation, these Old veterans gave thell
service and risked their lives for it. and
now the nation that they have thus saved
has forgotten them in their old age
We'll might they eXclaim that had they
but served their God as faithfully as they
have served their country. they would not
be left desolate in their old age. Had II
not been for them. it is possible, even
proba BILE, that we might not have had
any government departments.
ITO the old soldiers who survive how
beautiful must be the picture of American
grea tness today. Our republic is the star
of freedom i'm the west 1t sheds its
light throughout the whole world: il
shines on every ocean wave; lliumlnes
every mountain crest: extends over every
smiling and restful valley and is an in
spiration to the oppressed of every land. .
The Arlington memorial hymn. For
get-me-not, written especially for the
occasion by DR. Thomas Calver, chair
man of the G.. a. II. committee on music,
was sung by Miss Mary Sherier. Then
W. Adreon sung as tenor solo All
Hail to Columbia Beautiful Flag. and
the Marine Band gave "Miserere, from
TrOvatore.
H. f. Macarthur recited the Memorial
day poem and Mrs. Ella Herman Mel
vim sang "Oh. My America" the words
and music of which are of her own COM
position. The band. chorus and assembly
gave America" j. H. BreniZer of the
Sons of Veterans said the benediction,
and the sounding of taps lights out,
closed the program.