Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1881 — SALUTATORY. [ARTICLE]

SALUTATORY.

BY MRS. M. U SFITDKB. It has been customary since the late war for the people to meet annually to memorialize the dead of 1861; to shed the tear of love and affection over the memory, and flowers o’er the graves, of those we reverence as the defenders of our common country. We have had appropriate memorial exercises during the day in our city cemetery, and we meet to-night in the continuance of those worthy exercises, and to pay an additional tribute of praise to those noble defenders of our country who laid down their lives that we might the better enjoy those blood-bought privileges.

"We have praise for our heroes, Not those alone whs wore the stars. Nor tlmse who wore ea<l*e. And leaflets and bars. We know they wer* brave. And we honor them for it. Put our praises, our loves and tears Are for our soldiers, eur husbands, Our sons and our brothels, The men who make heroes And a -k for no renown ; Who, when treason arose. Left tireside, farm and city, Home, friends and love. And went to the rescue Of the red, white and blue : Who upheld our banner on many a bloody

field. And never allowed Its folds To be trailed in the dust; Who struck down hin brother, Not for malice or hatred, But to defend the cause of the just.” These are the ones whom we would crown with glory immortal. Searcely a fireside in this free land but has its household alter upon which the heart-stricken mother, the grayhaired father, a sorrowing brother or weeping sister does not pour out the wailings of sorrow and deplore the loss of a son or brother given in defense of his country. But, my friends, “we weep not as those who have no hope.” The God of battles is ever just and merciful. The memory of those noble ones are treasured in our hearts as the most sacred of all life’s jewels. Those who live after us will read the record of their many virtues and Spartan bravery with a swelling heart, and a proud determined will to maintain the glorious institutions which they died to save. And over the beautiful river, in the bright fields of Eden, where the ransomed shall.gather to sing peans of praise to the King of Kings, our brave heroes will stand garlanded with the laurel and myrtle, while written on their foreheads will be these sacred words: “The saviors of their country.” Sad was it, my mothers and fathers, to have our loved ones pass from us, but oh, how glorious! to die in so noble a cause.

“The maid who bound her warrior’s sash, Th* wife who girded her husband's sword, The mother who concealed her grief,” as she sent her lover, her husband, her darling, to'defend his country and hers, will be there too on that hallowed day, and join with the serried hosts in singing a song of a victory won, immortal find eternal. My friends, let us be loyal and true to the sacred trust reposed in us by the death of our deal’ ones, gone down in battle. We are the guardians of the most sacaed trust ever confided to mankind—the life, liberty and happiness of this age. If true to Uiis noble trust, untold millions will rise to call us, and those whom we this evening memorialize, blessed. May we prove loyal and true, is my prayer,