ry land. The be, the soldier make such a

-it and history he product of tutions are to egrity of purs which shall

hat have been ighest ideals.

will cause one will give the vernment reright and to he youth of eeling when ot so easy to or the disap

on today as of May 30, patriotism in

CARY, intendent.

Decoration Day.

(Abridged.)

W. BOURKE COCHRAN.

The character of a nation is often known by its festivals. The character of the festival we celebrate today is the most unique in the history of the world. We celebrate in all its entirety the sublime epoch when fidelity to the republic triumphed over the dangers that comprised the Civil War, and we emerged from the conflict radiant with the light of liberty established and indestructible American institutions with the undying vigor of American patriotism. The conflict in which we engaged was not made by the generation in which we live. It was a legacy handed down by the fathers of the republic after the foreign invader had been driven out.

resses.

But the Union soldier was great in peace as well as in war. His was not merely a triumph of arms; it was a triumph of heart and mind, for the Union soldier won the love of the foe that he vanquished. Today, throughout the length and breadth of the country, there is a love for the flag of the Union. Today the Union stands not defended by armed force or by frowning fortIts foundations are laid in the hearts of our citizens, south as well as north, and it will be durable and eternal because of that foundation. But although the vigor of the Union soldier in taking up arms was creditable to him, he also deserves credit for the manner in which he laid down his arms. Never before did a victorious army so lay down its arms at the behest of civil rulers without the slightest disturbance throughout the length and breadth of the land.

The lesson which this day teaches above all others is that no matter what difficulties may arise, the patriotism of this republic I will be able to surmount them. No matter what dangers may threaten our institutions, there is always to be in reserve the American patriotism sufficient to solve every question and surmount every difficulty. The victory of the Union soldiers proved

the capacity and the power of this patriotism which underlies American citizenship. No sooner had the smoke lifted from southern battlefields; no sooner had the rivers that had run red with blood once more resumed their course clear and pellucid to the sea, and the south was seen humbled, than the men of the north turned with charity and brotherly love to the aid of the men with whom they had fought. The victory which was achieved for the Union was thus made a permanent one for the union of these states.

The lesson of the Union was not ended in 1865. The mission of the Union soldier did not close with the war. It continues today as a patriotism which is the best security of the government. We are reminded of the survivors as we turn today from the graves of the brave men who were the heroes of the

war.

On the capitol at Washington, surmounting the great dome where congress is in session, there may be seen a bright light| high above all else on the building. And as you recede from the place, and the turrets and fluted columns of the edifice disappear in the darkness, the light at the top seems to be higher and higher, and finally seems to blend with the horizon until finally only this light marks the temple of freedom of our beloved government. And, as we celebrate this Decoration Day, looking back on the martyrs of the Civil War, their deeds shall be to us the brilliant light which shall grow ever brighter and brighter, and illumine the pathway of the republic to liberty, prosperity and happiness.

NS.

m which underlies moke lifted from that had run red clear and pellucid an the men of the the aid of the men ich was achieved

for the union of

1865. The mis he war. It consecurity of the

s as we turn tothe heroes of the

the great dome na bright light ou recede from the edifice diso be higher and con until finally

ir beloved govy, looking back

11 be to us the ■ brighter, and prosperity and

Lincoln.

Mr. Lincoln was not what you would call an educated man. The college that he had attended was that which a man attends who gets up at daylight to hoe the corn, and sits up at night to read the best book he can find, by the side of a burning pine knot. What education he had, he picked up in that way. He had read a great many books; and all the books that he had read, he knew. He had a tenacious memory, just as he had the ability to see the essential thing. He never took an unimportant point and went off upon that; but he always laid hold of the real thing, of the real question, and attended to that without attending to the others any more than was indispensably necessary.

-Charles A. Dana.

O Captain! My Captain!

O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done!

The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!

O the bleeding drops of red,

Whereon the deck my captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! My Captain! Rise up and hear the bells,

Rise up-for you the flag is flung-for you the bugle trills;

For you bouquets and ribbon's wreaths; for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;

Hear, Captain! Dear Father!
This arm beneath your head;

It is some dream that on the deck

You've fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer; his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won.
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells,
But I will mournful tread,

Walk the deck where my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.

Used by permission of Edgar S. Werner & Co.

-Whitman.

Our Fallen Heroes.

The angel of the nation's peace

Has wreathed with flowers the battle-drum; We see the fruiting fields increase

Where sound of war no more shall come.

The swallow skims the Tennessee,

Soft winds play o'er the Rapidan;

There only echo notes of glee,

Where gleamed a mighty army's van!

Fair Chattanooga's wooded slope

With summer airs is lightly stirred, And many a heart is warm with hope

Where once the deep-mouthed gun was heard.

The blue Potomac stainless rolls,

And Mission Ridge is gemmed with fern;

On many a height sleep gallant souls,

And still the blooming years return.

Thank God! unseen to outward eye,
But felt in every freeman's breast,
From graves where fallen comrades lie
Ascends at Nature's wise behest.

With springing grass and blossoms new,
A prayer to bless the nation's life,
To freedom's flower give brighter hue,
And hide the awful stains of strife.

O, Boys in Blue, we turn to you,

The scarred and mangled who survive;

No more we meet in grand review,

But all the arts of freedom thrive.

Still glows the jewel in its shrine,

Won where the James now tranquil rolls;
Its wealth for all, the glory thine,
O memory of heroic souls!

-George Bancroft Griffith.

I

́N every human heart springs, instinctive,

the desire to be remembered after death.

Boys, if I fall, see to it that my grave is marked!” is the admonition, again and again repeated, by every true soldier that ever stood upon the "Firing Line.'

So, on Memorial Day, no service, in honor of the men who gave their lives for the preservation of the union, is complete, without a special tribute of respect, to the memory of those whose graves are "unknown.”

Boys and girls, men and women, salute the unknown dead! They died for you!

-F. A. FREER.