River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-06-08
FROM DOWN EAST

| 4QtSIESL III b1SIuOIldl LAY AHobCaI
of abating with the passing years
evidently increases. While the di
minishing remnants of the surviv'
ors of the Civil War near their sun.
set encampment they feel an increas-
| ing regard for the comrades who
have answered their last roll call
| and the relatives and friends of
these survivors take each year an
increasing interest in the ceremon-
les of the day,
The Grand Army of the Republic
was organized forty-six years ago.
Five out of every six of the boys
who served in the Civil War are
dead. Of the 3,000,0 900 that cousti-
tuted the Union Army the vast ma
jority when they volunteered were
boys, two-thirds of whom were un'
der the age of twenty-one. The
question often arises in the minds
of the present generation: What
induced those boys to expose their
lives to the vicissitudes of that aw-
full war? Every one of them enlist
ed to fight. He knew that he took
the chance of certain death, or
wounds, or imprisonment; was GER
tain of terrific toll and hardship;
exposure and the suffering incident
to long marches under difficulties
and danger, with liability to sick
ness far away from the care and
comforting support of the home
folks. The question is difficult
one to answer. 1t is probable that
few men who took their lives in
their hands by enlisting can answer
the question even to their own sat
isfaction. One cannot explain the
compelling agency of his willing
service. This much he knows
about it: 1t was easier to go to the
front than to remain at home. The
country called insistently until he
was willing, anxious to fulfill bis
obligation, to perform his duty.
Duty is what is due. He was pro-
foundly aware that he owed the
country his services, his life, if she
demanded it.
No man who did not live in the
United States in the strenuous days
of that mighty war can have an
adequate idea of the conditions that
obtained, the sentiment that moved
men. The war was everything.
The thought of war dominated the
minds of all. 1t controlled all bust
ness; all plans, the conversation of
men, women and children. Those
at the front were not more absorbed
in the conflict than those at home
where everyone was living in agon-
izing expectancy. The patriotism
of the people was aroused as it had
never been before. A wave of en-
thusiasm flowed over the nation
and engulfed all intelligencies with
its resistless power, Enthusiasm
inspired with a God.") The
passions of men were profoundly
aroused; those fundamental pas
that are at once the well-springS OF
motive and the earnest of mighty
deeds.
This sublime passion was con-
tagious. 1t took possession of men
and women, old and young. While
the fate of the nation hung in the
balance men felt that in fighting for
the nation they were fighting for
their lives, for without govern
ment life was insecure and the ten
ure to property was precarious. If
men valued their lives it followed
that they must value the govern
ment that protected their lives and
necessarily must give it their sup
port. That young men enlisted for
the money the government gave
them is too absurd for a minute S
consideration.
Skin for skin. All that a man
hath will he give for his life;" but
no man will sell his life for money.
The government did not hire men
to fight for its life. 1t demanded oil
every able-bodied man that he
should perform bis duty, should
give the government what was due
it, what he owed-his devoted serv'
ice. And when this service was
conscientiously performed the gov.
eminent was under no obligation tc
him. What deyolved on the govern
ment was to furnish the men of the
army with arms and support. Tue
money paid to soldiers was not pay
for services; it was to enable them
TO purchase things of necessity or
desire that the government did moi
furnish-tobacco, if they smoked
stationery and postage. The pur