Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-02-26

give our readers.
The Spirit of '6l
1t is with sense of my total inco M
potency that approach the task before
me-that Of paying tribute Of gr attitude
to the men who rendered such valiant
service in the preservation Of our nation.
There are times when we find the richest
language on earth too feeble to voice our
sentiments; when the grandest orator Of
century can but family hint Of the food
of emotion that sweeps over the soul.
Such sentiments are as strong, as ex-
quiste, and yet as unexplainable as the
strains of music from grand old master.
1t is with such sense of deep solem-
nifty that we are gathered here. Pride.
humility, joy. sorrow. all we'll up within
once powerful legion. and look back over
the years that have flown. We can but
stand in awe as we contemplate the
magnitude of that struggle that shook
the world to its very foundation.
Thru the telescope Of history we gaze
upon the scenes of those times. until in
fancy we are there. When we see a
mighty nation threatened with dissolution;
when we see three million human beings
crushed by the evil hand Of slavery; then
do we realize to the fullest extent that
never before in tho records Of the ages
has people been confronted with such
mighty issues and such sacred duties.
Greece repelling the hordes Of Oriental
invaders; Rome beating back her Gothic
foes: Holland struggling in the grip Of
| arh
potio Charles-all Of these fail to arouse
the feeling of profound reverence with
which we read of the struggles Of the
boys of 81 in their contest for righteous
ness.
| We see the mighty warriors of the
time: MaRnanimous Grant, dashing Phil
Sheridan, ohivalrous Lee and the Cody
jackson. We view the battles Of An
tietam, Shiloh and Nashville thru clouds
of smoke; Vicksburg. Chiekamauga and
Gettysburg unfold on our vision. We see
tens of thousands lay down their lives on
blood soaked fields for the sake of the
great cause; we see them breathing their
last in fearful agony amid the heaps oi
the dead; we see them MANNED for life
in the fury OF the charge or the repulse
of an assault. We see them in the grim
prison pens of the south. IN Libby, Macon
and Andersonville. where the Angel oil
Death rode daily on the fever. stricken
air. Suffering tormants such as the per
Of Dante or Po only could accurately de-
pict; dying slowly Of disease, despair and
starvation they yet chose to endure these
tortures rather than to buy freedom and
health by swearing allegiance to the Stars
and Bars. Surely greater love hath nc
man than this!"
After four years Of bitter warfare Lee
surrendered at Appomattox and two
million men laid down their arms and re-
turned to the pursuits of peace. We see
the south pass thru the dark ages of re-
the land under African legislation ane
carpetbag misrule. We view with uttel
loathing the efforts Of malignant polite
ians at Washington to crush into the dust
the prostrate south; our hearts burn with
Indignation when we see congressman
entrusted with the duties of high office
humiate and degrade the brethren o.
their own race. Slowly but steadily WI
watch the recovery Of our nation; blood.
stained fields again blossom with tht
fruits of the harvest; hives Of industr,
spring up from blaekened ruins; at las
the bitter smarting wounds Of the sou
are healed with the love of great coun.
try again united!
We are brought again to the things o.
twentieth century life. Instead of the
mighty hosts of fifty years ago we gazt
upon silver-haired remnant whose rank.
are fast marching to the sunset lands
Each day we. as nation. place fragrant
garlands over the voieeless ashes Of thos.
who have answered the last reveiile anc
appeared before the great Commander.
in-Chief Of the Universe. Soon the las
will have travelled that trail over which
we all must pass. and but once. Soon
members Of the Grand Army. you will
pass to that rest prepared by lovini
Father for those who served him here
Tho you must step from the scenes o
life, even as all things mortal must end
the glory that you leave behind can neye
fadel Your deeds will be remembered
veterans. when the records Of Marathon
and Waterloo have utterly perished from