The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-05-30


All rights Of republication Of all other
matter herein are also reserved.
Soldier Sleep
Firing squads at local cemeteries
volleying over soldier graves, wreaths
on mounds which mark the resting
places Of q nations heroes, parades,
programs and speeches today give
outward show to the feelings of ma
ton.
It IL Memorial Day, set aside so
that those who live may honor those
who have gone before them into that
undiscovered country from whose
bourne no traveller returns"
The usual custom is for the men,
bers OF each family to decorate the
graves Of their loved ones in tender
remembrance and this is laudable
thing. But for the nation as whole,
interest centers on those dead who, at
some time in their lives, consecrated
themselves to their country in time
Of peril.
1naugurated primarily to honor
dead veterans Of the Civil War, the
observance has been extended by time
to include the veterans Of other wars.
Grandsons of Civil War veterans now
lie beside their ancestors in honored
graves. One takes rank with the other.
Each served in his own time that this
country might be kept free.
One by one our links with the past
are being severed as death takes its
toll Of life. Only handful of Civil
War veterans remain in North Da-
kota. It is 60 years since that con-
flict ended and all who served in it
and still live have far exceeded the
normal span.
Yet we honor them and the men,
bers Of those other generations who
claim the same distinction. In doing
10 we pay tribute, not SO much to
them as to ourselves, for we are re-
minding ourselves of nations glory.
We tell ourselves anew Of that prec-
ious gift Of freedom, won by blood and
pain and tears on a thousand battle
fields from Lexington to Chateau
Thierry. We realize again the spirit
which is America and we give it new
life by the exercises on this day.
This is q day for sober reflection,
both on the past history Of this coun-
try and upon its future. For to US
has been thrown the torch Of free
dom from the falling hands which
never again will be lifted in their
country's defense. Upon us is imposed
the responsibility of upholding a glor-
ious tradition. The manner in which
we discharge it, in peace as in war,
will determine whether we are truly
worthy Of the sacrifices which have
been made for us.
In the absence of the burdens of
war, we carry the burdens of peace.
The manner in which we do this is, in
itself, test. From the High Olym-
pus reserved for the valiant, our dead
look down and watch.
II we would be worthy of them we
must carry on where they left off. We
must do our share to make this bet
ter world in which to live. rear chill
dren and bring to some measure OF
fruition those dreams which our dead
held for us.
We must keep within our breasts
the spark which guarantees to every
Alnerican-born child a fair chance in
life: which preserves the sanctity OF
our institutions and cherishes the
ideals Of q great nation.
The preamble to the constitution Of
the American Legion gives as one Of
its purposes Ito combat the autocracy
Of both the classes and the masses"
This is an aim which should be
widely held by more persons than are
eligible for membership in this great
veterans organization. It is safe.
guard which sound citizenship anc
true patriotism require of us.
Pretty words and high-flown senti.
ments are no substitutes for con
structive action. Upon what we dc
more than upon what we say, depend
proof Of our respect for those who's
memories we honor.
When We bow our heads and ga,
Soldier Sleep" we must remembe
that it is an obligation as well as
privilege.
Living Too Fast
The problem that gets the most at
IGNITION these days Is the problem {
adjusting our economic relationship
with one another so that all Of U
who really want to can get and kee
q remunerative job.
Behind It, temporarily forgotten,
another problem which is perhar
Avor ,,oo,o or,,fa 4, tie 5o,,oora <-