Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-05-29
WE HONOR THE
NATIONS DEAD
TOMORROW

separate and distinct from the me
mortal customs OF all the other ma
lions of the world Our Memorial
Day is dedicated to the Nations dead
heroes. No other nation on eartn
SO consecrates the graves of its fal
len heroes, and now many thousand
dead in n new struggle for humanity
wait for wreaths OF remembrance.
Another and distinctly American
feature, and the most pathetic OF
all Memorial Day customs and cere'
monies is the tribute to the unknown
dead. There is something tangible
In the mound heaped above the
pulseless heart, thought that heart
never throbbed the quicker for your
coming, but In the history of the
world there is nothing TO parallel the
simple pathos of that tribute, telling
the mute story of the thousands who
must sleep, ''unknelled, uncoffined
and unknown" until the reveillc on
the resurrection morn awakens them
for the last grand review before the
Great Captain.
Bury hate, Danish strife, and
under the flag of our union and that
banner in which is inscribed Fra
ternity, Charity and Loyalty" let
us march on to our greater and
grander destiny, beginning with this
day.
AS the eastern worshiper before
he enters the precincts of a holy
place divests himself of his workday
their grossness, so should We leave
behind US the passions and prejudices
OF our daily lives as we approach the
tombs of the mighty dead of our Re
public. They are the shrines of Amer
lean patriotism.
Remember, too, those who went
down to sea in ships-the brave sail
ors and marines sleeping where pearls
lie deep, with wind and wave muir
muring unceasing requiems to their
uncounted hosts. On the bosom of
the beautiful rivers, on the waves of
tapping oceans wave. lay laurel and
fadeless eyergrees and the bright
amaranths OF eternal remembrance.
The men who sleep there dared much,
and deserve the recompense of loyal
tvs tribute.
Under low, green tents whose
portals never outward swing" rest
in dreamless sleep those who sacri
feed thier lives upon the altar OF
humanity in later war. Close they
He-so close. these veterans OF two
wars, that the same flag shelters
both. From the lap of dear Mother
Nature gather flowers of remem
brance mete for these veterans who
fought for the union and the gallan
early dead who drove the rust.ret
Flag of old Spain of this continent
With tender reverence remembe
also the graves of our dear old arm.
nurses, those ANGLES of Mercy" an,
those of our own number who hav
folded quiet hands in everlasting rest
For day--one little day, at leas
remember all these, the nation
dead.
Far-Hung our Navies fade away,
On dune and headland sinks tn
FIRE,
And all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre.
Judge Of the nations. spare us yet.
Lest we forget,
Lest we forget.
"Adown the path. in evenings GLOW
The tottering ranks are passin
now,
The veteran corps is moving sloy
For time has touched each wrinkle
brow.
The Flag is passing they loved S
well.
Salute the Colors"-hear the con
mand
How much It means-ah! who ca
tell
Like the one who served his nj
tive land?
For they were young in that othc
day,
Their hearts were warm wit
earnest glow;
How proudly then they marche
away,
Through Summers heat or VIII
ter's snow.
And some fell dead in battle line.
some were shattered in head O
limb.
While mothers cried: ooh, son O
NINE"
And wished that they might die 70
him.
o. sorrow sore; o. Joy; o. pain,
o,dreadful day, on battlefield;
o, country, SEQ your manhood slain
They could but die, they would MOI
Yield