The Ordway new era., 1910-06-03
It Was A Day of Memories
Continued from page one

rage OF the poor" He looked across
the distant seas and chose this ver-
dant soil Where eastern nations seek
their glory ends, but empires rise
where the sun descends. He said
"When the soil of that country has
been fertilized by the blood OF my
people for the sake OF human freedom,
| will give them the greatest wealth,
civilization and power that the world
has ever known" He took you men
and gave you the hearts Of gods, the
strength OF necessity and the minds
OF the most wise and sent you forth
to do his duty. lie did not give vic.
tory to the union arms till with it
could come freedom to the race in
| bondage. 1t does not take u student
of war to see that up to the time OF
the emancipation proclamation the
doubtful side OF the battle set most
strongly against the union shores
Disaster followed disaster until Lin.
coin himself almost diSpaired OF ulti-
mate victory and 1t seemed at times
as though the exultant Southern host
we're about to make good their boast
that they would proclaim the confeder-
ate government from the steps OF the
nations capitol. But from the hour
OF emancipation, from the hour that
the cause OF the union became the
cause OF liberty, from the hour In
which the nag OF the republic became
the flag OF humanity, from the hour
that the stars and stripes no longer
foated over a slave, yea, from the
sacred hour OF the nations new birth.
the dear old banner ever floated to
the sky and the brave boys who bore
it never wavered from the onward
march to victory. With a single ex
ception OF Charlottesville and that
stubborn, doubtful day at Chicamau-
ga no decisive field battle WAS ever
lost by the men who sang with re.
doubled enthusiasm,
John Browns body lies mould'ring
in the grave
But his soul goes marching on"
Gettysburg ut the east and Ficks-
burg In the west, ratified the presi-
dents action and walked the national
holiday with a grand jubilee OF joy.
From Chattanooga to AppOmattOx,
from Atlanta to to the sea, the hearts
Of the war. worn, battle-scarrcd veter-
ans took new courage, touched elbow
with a steadier purpose, saw In each
others eyes holier fire. joined with
new inspiration In that glorious an-
them,
milne eyes have seen the glory OF
the coming OF the Lord"
Our service should be service Of
love. prayer, praise aud song. Out OF
the heroic memories Of the past we
should draw new inspiration OF patri.
otism and find new ardor for the pres
ervation Of the Institution that came
to US through the baptism OF tlre and
blood.
Today see the surviving veterans
OF the Old Grand Army OF the Repub-
lie grizzled and gray, some with arm.
less sleeves, and some stumping their
way on wooden pegs, and know that
IN the years gone by they we're boys,
boys who left the pillow. the forge, the
loom, the shop, the Office, the college,
the sanctuary, to light the battles OF
their country. The first difficulties
OF battle we're to break the clasp OF
loving arms about your neck and cross
the sea OF tears. You left goodbye
kisses on tiny lips. you left behind
mothers, wives, daughters, and sweet
hearts. and homes Of comfort and
peace and plenty. God bless you, liv.
ing or dead There will be cheers
for the living and tears for the dead SO
long US the last survivor blesscs the
earth, yea, till the end OF time.
Soldiers, rest, the war is over.
dream, Of lighting fields no more. sleep
the sleep that knows no waking,
morn Of toll or night Of waking, rest
In peace We noble dead. The cause
for which you fought can never be
assaiied again. The race whose free.
dom represent, will bless you with
its latest breath. The union you pre-.
served remains forever and liberty,
equal rights and Justice are the com.
mon heritage Of uur descendants to
the Judgment day.
God bless the men who followed
| the flag