The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-05-29
MEMORIAL DAY.


Every year there are fewer survNVors
OF the great civil War Forty-hve years
Iago now the armies of the Potomac
under the leadership of the indomit-
able Grant We're trying conclusions
with the gray leglons of Lee in the
wilderness and Spottsylvania, among
the bloodiest campaigns in modern
warfare, while Sherman's columns
were pushing Joe Johnston's forces
slowly but surely back upon Atlanta.
nut the lapse of half a century has
wrought marvellous changes I'm the
/ Republic. There has grown up a new
generation whose only impressions of
/ the great conflict are gained from
books and newspapers and from the
Hips Of the survivor There has been
also added to the population a vast
element whose family traditions are of
other lands. But to the majority Of
Americans and their children and
grandchildren Memorial Day will long
he honored in observance.
II is doubtful if it will ever be def
lnitely known how many men served i'm
/ the Civil war on either side. The rec
| ords of the federal government show
about 1872. 900 enlistments but many
soldiers Joined the army several times.
Second and third enlistments were
common. Some high authorities think
that from 100000 to 100000 men
served for at least a brief term dur
/ ing the long struggle.
The South is believed To have en-
listed at least 10000 men. but i'm any
event less than a million in all. There,
as in the North, many soldiers were
recorded more than once, and the Off
4 cial figures are incomplete Altogether
/ 100000 men. il is safe To say. took
some part in the military operations
OF the civil war.
/ No complete and reliable statistics
exist which show the number of these
veterans stll living. The Grand Army
of the Republic has some 100000 men,
/ hers, but ii is not known how large a
proportion of the survivors Of the fed
eral forces are outside the famous or
ganization which well claims especial
title to Memorial Day exercises. The
Z United Confederate Veterans count not
more than $4,000 and it is probable
that they include even a larger part
of the survivors Of the Southern ar
mics than the Grand Army Of the Re
public contains Of the Northern vet
Grams. Altogether, blue and gray COM
bined the men who served I'm the great
war may yet be half a million strong.
Even yet, though all of the survivors
of the great war are well on in years,
they are leaders i'm business and the
| professions, men Of mark and innu-
cncc. They include the foremost citi-
Zens Of many cities and towns. They
still count much in every test of pub
/ lie sentiment and every manifesto
tion Of the nations will
1t would be ill for the country other
wise. Tho old soldiers have more than
Ia great claim upon the gratitude OF
the nation. They have the qualities
which count now. They are both the
warders Of a priceless memory and the
/ servants OF the republics present
needs.
a people freed by war and saved
for freedom by another long and terri
bic struggle can never cease 10 feel
the claim Of fighting patriots TO es-
Ipccial honor. however far their deeds
Of daring and sacrifice may drift in
to the past Americans are not Of the
mettle to give up holidays founded up
ON the most heroic phases Of their ma
tional life.
The day will change. no doubt in
the feeling OF the country. II has
changed already. II is more time OF
glorying in the deeds II stands for and
less Of the old deep sense of direct
loss in the cutting short Of the many
fine lives. The hcartache Is passing
away, but the pride and the loyalty re-
main.
This side of Memorial Day car
never die Il Is bound up forever with
the indissoluble destiny Of the repub-
lie.