Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-06-01

zion the noble motherhood ana sister
hood whose kindly n,inistrations, in
hospitals and on field, has been 50
wisely and thoroughly continued.
These banded women did more do
more and will do more to perpetuate
the sentiments that cluster around
this day than any other force in eX-
istence 1t was they who experienced
that dark and gloomy time. when
around the firesides OF the land, await
ed with agonized heart and tear dim
med eye news from the loved ones far
from home And the same loyal spirit
actuated the sons of these mothers,
when the call came for volunteers to
go forth and vindicate the honor Of
the flag in 1893, and drive the last yes
tige Of iniquitous Spanish rule from
the American soil. In that recent but
glorious achievement, north and south
stood shoulder to shoulder, demon
strating anew to the nations OF the
earth that the government Of the
United States could and would stand
forever ready to protect the rights Of
her people at any hazard.
How it must thrill the hearts of
these old heroes to be permitted to
observe the marvellous growth and
commanding influence which the ma
ton they saved has achieved. Allow
your imagination free rein and ask
yourselves what position we would
now occupy had these men not fought
the battles OF the civil war Had the
contention Of our southern brethren
prevailed and the erring sisters been
allowed to depart in peace, how the
splendor of our achievements in state
craft and In international relations
would have been dimmed, but be-
cause they suffered and died, we live
in land Of freedom. The luster OF
their eyes may be somewhat dimmed
by the passage Of the years, their step
may be more hating and feeble than
in days Of yore, but their devotion to
the principles for which their com
rades died increases as the days 60
by. And where is the parsimonioua
spirit that would begrudge these old
veterans the pittance granted them
by the government that lives because
they suffered and their comrades died.
Palsied the. brain that would cherish
the feeling that our pension roll is an
incumbrance upon the national treas
ury. Not in the spirit of paying debt
we owe to the boys in blue and their
widows and orphans, but as slight
recognition Of the inestimable value
Of their services, let this government
amply provide for their declining
days.
The Good Of the Nation.
I'VE who are living in the opening
years of this wonderful century may
not live to see the full fruition of our
brightest hopes; 1t may not be ours
to salute that starry emblem Of lib
erty as 1t shall eventually wave over
the splendid nation which is coming,
but looking down from the battle
ments of that better land, toward
which trust we are all, travelling, we
may be permitted to see the realiza-
ton of our brightest hopes. We shall
see nation redeemed from other
curses than that Of human slavery A
nation where the babe will not sleep
in the shadow of the serpent that
would in later years pollute its life
blood with the poison Of death. Upon
a nation where no mans hand will be
against his brother. Upon a nation
whose homes shall not be stained
with crime nor its nag with treason.
But, under the beautiful banner Of
progress, there shall be cherished ami
revered the triune preservative OF ma.
tional life liberty, equality, frater-
nifty.
"As the golden rays of the setting
sun gather to focus about your Ire
may you, soldiers OF the grandcst
army ever mustered on earth, enter
the river Of death having as your
pilot the captain OF our salvation, anu
as you sail into the heaven harbor
may you hear, not only the heaven
ringing hallelujahs OF welcome. but
the still, small voice saying: Well
done. thou good and faithful ser
want