The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-06-03
Attorney G. p. searle's Address.

Memorial day is one of the most
important days in our community and
national life. We have assembled to-
day with these venerable men of the
Grand Army of the Republic in mem
ory of war having the noblest cause
and the most glorious victory ever
achieved by the sons of men. 1t was
a war of tremendous dimensions. Ov-
er two thousand battles involving ov-
er 100000 of men. Great and un-
selfish motives and impulses sent
men into the conflict and kept them
there. On battlefield and in prison
pen they faltered not, but in life and
in death rendered to their country
and their flag the fullest, truest,
measure of loyal, patriotic devotion
while those at home toiled and agon-
lied and prayed. All honor then to
the men and women of the sixties
who wrought and fought and sacri-
feed and died for issues more sacred
to them than life itself
There are subjects upon which
nothing new can be said, but which
still arouse the favor awakened at
their first enunciation. If the song
was true when it started on its jour
ney, it will be sung as long as human
hearts vibrate and tongues retain the
gift Of speech.
1t will be lisped by those tottering
on toward the end, and echoed by
hearts filled with the promise and
glow of youth. If the product was
genuine when it passed from the Gre
ator's hand, it will neither be dim
med by age, nor cheapened by ia
miliarity; for honor is not decreased
by contact and truth is never out OF
tune. This is an age when search is
tireless for the new and marvellous
but we must not only seek the new
we must remember the old. Fol
the newest is not always the best
The date or lustre of the coin does
not determine its metal. The sub
stance may be plain and unobtrusive
and still be gold. The paintings o.
modern times have evoked the
praise of critics, and yet thousands
still pay homage to an older genius
Modern literature is ablaZe will
beauty and with power, and yet mil
lions are going, and will go tonight
to an old and thumbworn text foI
their final consolation.
And so it is today. Everything
good, everything beautiful and i'm
pressive that may be said of these he
roes of ours rings true in our ears be
cause it is merely the expression o
the universal appreciation and af
fection that we feel for them and tn
noble work they performed in de
fense of our national integrity an
our national life. And as we NEE
with the survivors of that might
conflict and decorate the graves o
their departed comrades with flower
and the flag they preserved for us, W
see in retrospect the scenes of tn
darkest period of our national life.
Prior to the civil war there wer
great differences of opinion respect
ing the character Of the new govern
ment.
The South affirmed that it wa
merely voluntary association c
sovereign states, subject to be dissolN
ed at the election of any one of il
members. The North maintaine
that it was a Union, inseparable, II
divisible, perpetual. Out Of that diI
parity of belief, earnestly entertain
ed and energetically defended, theI
had arisen, heated discussions, bite
controversy, elimination and n
elimination; all TO be decided, irr'
vocably. to be decided forever, to