The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1915-06-10
WOULD HAVE
MEMORIAL DAY GIVEN
GREATER RESPECT

Editor In0 DalIy RecOru.-
All the legal holidays of the Ameri
can people with one exception are
days set apart for rejoicing. Christ
mas, New Years day, Lincoln's Birth
day, Washington's also, and Flag day
are all proper occasions for exaltation
of spirits and furnish occasion for
almost unrestricted merrymaking and
general display of enthusiasm only
excelled by the glorious Fourth Of
July" which is the elimination Of all
the pent up stream of animal spirits
which has not been exhibited on 9TH
er occasions.
Almost the whole trend Of such
celebrations In America is in this line.
The one day which is not of such a
nature is the one we are celebrating
today.
Today marks the anniversary Of an
occasion which was designed to bring
to mind the most solemn thoughts of
which we are capable. This day
marks in the nations history q COM
memoration of all the blood and sac
rifice which four years Of war made
necessary. 1t marks. in memory, the
death Of some one, or more from al
most every household. Some father.
husband. brother. lover or SON, is
brought up In vivid remembrance by
those old enough to remember. Il
not to actually take part in the
heart stirring events during the years
from 81 to '65. These are getting
few in number and will continue to
grow fewer till the levity, which in
some quarters make the observance
of this day a matter which CRATES up
on the feelings. and jars the nerves
Of those who know what we are ce1e-
brating. will cease for the grave
will give them the rest which the
dead now enjoy.
II. with these feelings, and they are
the proper feelings for those who
understand. what place have ball
games and joy rides and other light
amusements even in some cases pro-
ceeding as far as social dances In
celebration of the days?
When the anniversary Of a loved
ones death comes around annually
we do not. as matter Of form, deco
rate the grave and that performed.
hr.rrv ha hon OrNtrnA ~
drown our sorrow in the exciting
games in which apparently all forms
of enthusiasm terminate. 1t would
be just as proper and no greater out
rage to celebrate the anniversary OF
Christ's crucifixion in the same way.
One sacrifice has given US civil and
religious liberty through life. The
other promises happiness after we
are done with life.
The general government, to prevent
the use Of our national emblem, has
passed Stringent laws forbidding its
use in advertising In certain ways.
Certain states have passed laws which
prohibit base ball and theatrical en-
gagements on Decoration day. II we
expect our children to grow to ma
turity with the proper respect for the
institutions which have cost SO much
in human lives, and property loss,
we have the right to make them OBJ
serve the properties necessary for
this purpose.
That such structures should be nee
essary in our town seems almost be-
yond belief. 1t has been reported
that Canon City's population is 9S
per cent native born. It boasts
among Its people many Of descent
from revolutionary times. 1t has many
old soldiers who served through the
war OF rebellion. There are many
the widows and children of these
same soldiers whose death is COM
memorated today and yet these things
pass unheeded and unnoticed by the
majority. Are we not, like Esau. un-
mindful OF the immense value Of our
birth right selling 1t for mess Of
pottage? Even. worse are we not
even trampling the divine thing un-
der foot? Where will the patriotism
necessary in future generations come
from II this continues?
W. D. H.