Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-01
(By w. II. Brady
Decoration Day.

Presentations OF considerable magnl-
tude are making for the proper OBJ
seryance of Decoration Day, May 80.
The beautiful custom of strewing the
sacred mounds under which repose in
peace those of the Boys in Blue who
have passed TO the great majority
will be tenderly cared for by the sol
der organizations connected with the
Southern branch of the National
Home for disabled volunteer soldiers.
Apropos Of this hallowed occasion
il is we'll to add that forty-iiye years
will have passed since the collapse oil
the military forces in arms against the
union. In that mighty contest there
were in arms on both sides more than
three million men. OF these, upwards
OF six hundred thousand are estimat-
ed to have been killed. died of wounds
or disease before the war closed.
Since then the harvest of death has
been heavy. There remains OF those
great armies considerably less than
enc million of men, but their num-
hers decrease steadily. Those VINO
are left, time has set upon their browsI
it's unmistakable seal.
1t is estimated that the average age
OF the veterans now living is not less
than 60 years-not in one sense
great one, yet an age when men VINO
Rave been through what most OF them
have suffered must feel that their ac-
tiyities are being constantly lessen
cd. A generous government has pro-
vided for its defenders beyond any
thing ever conceived or attempted by
any other nation. In pensions alone,
row disbursed yearly. the sum ex-
ceeds three times the cost of the fed
tral government prior to the rebellion.
1t Is on Decoration Day, as it should
be that of the dead rather than OF
the living we naturally think. In every
cemetery throughout the North, East
and West, and also in numerous
grave-yards throughout the Southland,
loving hands guided by patriotic
hearts will strew flowers on the
graves of the illustrious dead-o'er
the last resting places of those Who'll
died that their country might live.
Around these graves will gather thei:
former comrades, no more accouter-
cd with death-dealing arms, but with
hnoHr hncfnuinO NJ
blems of peace in memory OF those
who. with them side by side, rushed
If needed be, into the lannon's throat.
Ii is beautiful custom. 1t pre-
serves 10 the generations unborn at
the time of that strife the knowledge
OF its cause, of the patriotism of the
nations defenders, and teaches those
lessons which every good citizen must
learn. and without which this govern
ment cannot endure. Happily the,
danger of secession is over, and it isl
a positive truth that it would require
Q war to force out of the union those
same states which once tried to leave.
But there are lessons which all OF us
must constantly keep in mind and in
20 way can this be better accom-
rished than by devoting one day in
the year to the memories of those
who made the highest sacrifice on the
altar of their country's safety. The
ranks of these dear old men yet liv-
ing must continue 10 grow thinner
Time has its harvest as well as ar
,iIlery. and the whizzing minnie ball.
Very soon few will be left Of those
who took part in that memorable con-
iiict. and while We pay honors to the
dead. We should highly resolve that
We in peace will, as they did in war,
90 our utmost to maintain that nation
which they died to save; that in our
hands the priceless heritage Of life
and liberty shall never diminish, but
shall constantly increase.
There is no martial spTendor in per-
forming well the civil duties Of peace,
but the obligation to all alike is ad-
sOIute. Those of US who remain on
the footstoOl shall utterly fail to de
serve the blessing preserved to us il