fWITH PLAC ANO LAUREL WREATHS. WITH SLOW AND ReVfREMT TREAO. M'mT this is the day we honor them- THE KEEPERS OF ETERNAt. PEAce." THC AJKMY or THfi BftAO. Heroes Given Meeds of Honor Inspiration of California Woman That Won Instant Approval and Inaugurated a Beautiful Custom. 14 For 40 years in this broad land, upon •each 30th day of May, men and women have gone forth with their burdens of Tjiossoms and the graves of the soldiers who died that they and their children ■might live have bourgeoned anew with •every gorgeous flower that blows and every shy blossom that lifts its face to the sun. Not so with the soldier-sailor dead, Jost forever upon the ocean's boundless ■waste. . / They tarried long in unquiet graves 'ere a memorial was made for them; ere a single flower dimpled the glassy surface above to say: "Here lies a hero." But they were not to wait forever. There came to a California woman the thought of strewing flowers upon the waters of the mighty deeps in honor of the men who will rest there until the -day when the sea gives up its dead. Thus was born a beautiful custom •which in five years has spread north to Lake Erie, east to Philadelphia, south to Havana and New Orleans, and from the Golden Gate of San Francisco to the Delaware river the naval dead receive in flowers a need of remembrance •upon each recurring Memorial day. A National Custom. The custom thus established is r?p idly becoming a national one. It has been cordially indorsed by Dewey, Sampson, Schley and Long, by naval captains and officials by the score and has been incorporated into the national naval memorial ceremony by the Navy Veterans' association. Its originator, Mrs. Armltage S. C. Forbes, of Los Angeles, was made an honorary member of the National Association, Ladies of Naval Veterans, and of various women's relief corps and organizations throughout the United States, besides receiving official com mendation from the Grand Army of the Republic and the navy department at Washington. With her patriotism Is a passion and it is through her untiring efforts that the custom has received such wide spread recognition, though the ex quisite sentiment which it expresses has found a ready response in every bosom. Mrs. Forbes' Inspiration. Just five years ago this earnest lit tle woman was seeking some new thought for the coming memorial; a snatch of song was running through her head: "Cast your bread upon the waters." "Why not cast flowers upon the wa ters for the men lost at sea?" she cried. It was an inspiration and had come to a woman who had the energy to make it great. Her plans were formulated that very day and with the hearty indorsement of the state superintendent of public instruction she sent out a circular let ter to the heads of schools in all the coast towns of the country proposing that such a floral memorial be observed by the school children of California in honor of the heroes who fought the last battle for the flag upon the sea, and the result was the first glorious observ ance along the Pacific coast May 30, 1900. Thousands of children marched to the water's edge and with reverent hands scattered the wealth of Califor nia flowers upon the lapping waves, lifting their young voices in songs of patriotism and remembrance. Naval veterans and naval reserves assisted, and from San Francisco to Santa Monica and to the blue crescent of Catalina, there were flowers, flowers, and everywhere flowers, wreathing the waves and floating out upon the tide* In memory of the soldier-sailor dead that lie in quiet rest beneath the ocean —from the far cold waters of the north to ihe coral reefs of the sun-kissed south. The story of this first celebration was heralded afar; Mrs Forbes wrote to the nuval officials tell!nn them ( >f the Cali fornia observance. The replies which the received were most gratifying. In Various Cities. Detroit welcomed the poetic observ ant 0 ihi* same year and from Unite |»l» .b.ldge the flowers were dropped upon Ifcw emerald surfate of the Detroit river [ and the year following from the sides ' of the United States ship Yantic, which made a short cruise in honor of the j celebration. In Charleston navy yard in 1902 Mrs. Sampson, wife of the admiral, per | formed the beautiful ceremony from the deck of Old Ironsides. In Philadelphia, the home of me morials, on May 30, 1903, there was in augurated this new fashion of remem brance, and it stands unique among the myriad celebrations of its kind in that city of "brotherly love." Five thousand people on Race street pier watched four flower-ships set out on a wondrous voyage. There was a Cum berland for the heroes who sank in I Hampton Roads, a in mem ory of those who perished in Mobile bay, a dauntless Monitor and a Maine for soldiers sleeping in the coral beds of Havana harbor. It was said "that strong men of the sea choked with emotion while the floral tributes dropped from tender hands to the bosom of the Delaware." Three rear admirals were present and the Onondaga, in midstream, fired the salute of 21 guns. Rear Admiral Mel ville, in his speech on this occasion, said: "It is peculiarly fitting that this impressive naval memorial on the sea should be inaugurated on the historic Delaware, where John Paul Jones with his own hands hoisted on board the Alfred the flag of independent Amer ica for the first time, and where the first continental congress authorized the construction of 13 frigates, giving the world to understand that the colo nies intended to assert their rights on sea as well as on land." It was espe cially appropriate that Philadelphia should be one to recognize this beauti ful custom, for Mrs. Forbes is a Penn sylvanian by birth and is also a de scendant of John Kaye, first male child born in Philadelphia. In the Far Mediterranean. The sailor boys aboard of one of Un cle Sam's ships in the Mediterranean | sea last year remembered the 30th of | May. They had no flowers such as grow ion land or in the depth of the sea, but sailors are clever with their fingers, and out of such poor things as shavings they made and colored the most deli cate artificial flowers, and roses and \ lilies, tulips and chrysanthemums kissed the blue of that far-off ocean. Under the personal direction of Mrs. , Forbes, possibly the most remarkable : observance of ali was held last year off Brighton beach, just outside of San Pedro harbor, California. Three United States war vessels took part, the Wyoming, the Prefle and the Paul Jones, the small tugboat Warrior, on which the services were held, taking its position, with its precious freight of people and flowers, in the center of an imposing triangle, formed by the three iron-clad guardians of the na tion's peace. After appropriate exercises the sol emn burial service was read aboard the Warrior, which was in command of Capt. Cottman, of the Wyoming, and lilies and roses, carnations and every flower in California's great garden were I showered with lavish hands upon the mirroring blue of the water beneath. Emblems, anchors, stars and wreaths were dropped with murmured prayers. Every man, woman and child aboard the little tug had a part and from ihe three war vessels which had been sup plied with flowers, officers, marines and honeit tars dropped brirht blossoms in memory of some comrade gene be fore. As the volleys for the dead were fired six stately flower boats, shaped like th« graves of soldiers and bearing upon their canvas sides laurel wreaths of victory, anchors of hope and blessed Immortelles were cut loose to drift whither they would upon the bosom ol the broad Pacific. A sudden hush. Hl«?h up on the Wyoming a lone bugler appeared and there came the notes ih.it sounded tnps; lower and sadder ilie Warrior took It up and off In the distance came back the murmuring echoes us though ih« d«ad would fuln burst their ghostly cerements and come back to tell th< living how sweet a thing <i U to tie re : IL •üb"i«d. CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 24, igc6. DKoMfION DAYS ■«W3O' The Grand Army of the Republics. Day by day their ranks are thinning, one by one they disappear. And at each succeeding roll call, fewer voices answer: "Here!" Still their regiments are marching—many march with noiseless 'read, And no bugles sound "assembly" In the bivouac of the dead. Hats are reverently lffted to the heroes lying here; Lift them to the living heroes—hall them all with cheer on cheer. Not for long will they be with us; soon each regiment will be Tented here beneath the blossoms of the land it helped to free. But to-day the drums are muffled and the flag at half-mast waves. Keeping green dead heroes' memories as the grass- above tlieir graves. Still another weary winter shrouded in the snow they lay; Now we bring them crowns and garlands of the loveliest blooms of May. Let them rest in honored slumber, while their praise, from shore to shore, Eighty millions throats are swelling—we are free forevermore! —Elsie Florence Fay, In Success Maga zine. THE NEW MEMORIAL DAY. With blossom-laden fiands, to-day the na tion stands. Beside the graves of those who died for liberty. The story is long told, our hearts can no more hold The bitterness of strife, the tears, the agony. Yet the memory of these men shall perish only when The manhood of the land, the love of freedom, dies. And lo! beside their sod new fold Is turned; for God New marytrs called for freedom, 'mid women's tears and cries. By these just newly dead—their blood for Cuba shed— And these who lie at peace. In the land they died to free; Q Let all men know we keep their vigil while they sleep- On guard, for aye, of this great nation's destiny. These heroes have not laid their bravo lives down in vain. Her sons again have pledged our land to liberty. O hearts that grieve to-day for soldiers far away. Who bore our country's flag and died to set men free. Look up and sigh no more. Like those who died before. The nation keeps their memories and the people's hearts are true. For Chickamauga still echoes on through San Juan Hill To one nation and one people 'neath tho red, white and blue. To the Nation's Dead. Long have they lain 'neath the grass and sod. Those noble sons that in battle trod. No more the sound of the bugle call Shall quicken their steps to duty's call. They only wait for the trumpet sound. When the great and good shall at last be crowned, And the battle and strife of yesterday Shall be lost alike to the Blue and (iray. Ye who march on this day in May, To scatter garlands of flow'rets gay Over the mounds of soft green sward, Where sleep the brave in battle gored; Know that to these ye owe your land, So scatter the buds with willing hand. With thoughts of love while lips do pray For the peace and rest of the Blue and Gray. And let the flag on each grave rest. Of him whose struggle made it blest. Those Stars and Stripes let proudly wave Above each soldier honored grave. For these are they who held them high, Caring not that they should die, So let the Union feel to-day Thoughts of love for the Blue and Gray. Sleeping, Not Dead. Ye silent men, who to your country gave The last full measure of devotion—- life— Ye fell asleep while the tumultuous strife Around yeu swelled in fury, like the wave Which breaks upon the rocks which prove its grave. To-day, around you all the air is rife With wailing cries from bugle and from life— Tho voice of that dear land you died to save. Nay, ye have never died—ye live to-day In every soul which joys that it is free; In that fair Hag with which the breezes play. With every flashing star undimmed, un lost; In all our hearts, which clay like yours shall be Uefure our land forgets what freedom cost. —Ninette M. I.oivater, In N. Y. Sun. The Fallen. Hark! a bugle win J* shrill O'er thu brow of the hill, At whose L ise feiygian waters outpaur; 'TIs our comrailns, l.cyond sight, biguul back through the night To tne few who ale left on tii.it shore. Old Cliaron oars free 1 lur brave hosts through the sea, As they, prompt to 11»• • bugle, t-<-k|>und How his boat rocks arid rol'.s, With the weight of their souls, Wiio ate linked with afl< • UOII'M strong bond. To the blus arid the gray Gives ». • u h right of way, And a cltaplet of glory as wi-llj Wince nobly ih- v fought iii h as hull II h > I I i' jilt, Aui iivb'.} , u i heroes, they (ell. MEMORIES OF THE PAST. Tlie Day Intended for Appropriate Commemoration of tho Deeds of Heroes. Memorial day was founded that there might be a few hours in each year set aside for the appropriate commemoration of the deeds of men who had been killed while serving the country in the army or navy or who had died since having so served. For a number of years it was generally and suitably observed. Then In soma places it ceased to be observed at all. In many it was given up to bicycle and horse racing and other sports and festivities. Diversions of this kind have been widely and properly protested against as desecrations of the day. The pro tests seem to have had some effect, for observance of the occasion prom ises to be not only more general this year than usual but also more appro priate. Graves will be decorated, and in many cities, towns and rural neigh borhoods there will be solemn proces sions to cemeteries, and sermons will be preached and addresses delivered recalling the brave deeds of the na tion's heroes and the great princi ples for which they fought and for which many died. Holidays devoted to recreation and sport are a good thing, but it does not necessarily follow that all holidays should be given up to them. Me morial day ought to be devoted large ly to recalling what past generations did. Contemplation of the courageous and self-sacrificing patriotism exhibited by past generations is to little purpose if tt do not imbue their successors with a purpose to emulate them. The men of to-day have confronting them questions almost as di'fficult as any which have yet been dealt with, and the best way the sons can show their appreciation of what the fathers accomplished is by resolving togo about their work as citizens with the same courage and in the same spirit as their fathers went about theirs.— Chicago Tribune. TRIBUTES TO THE PRIVATE. — "* Vf»"1 "Let Us Care for Him." "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive onto finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borno the battle, and for his widow and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations." —Lincoln's Second Inaugural. "Heroic Years of America." "We beghi to realize that the years we have so recently passed through, though we did not appreciate at the time, were the heroic years of Amer ican history."—Charles Francis Adams, on"The Double Anniversary," July 4, 18G9. "First Rank of Militant Nations." "The record of both sides places tho people of the United States in the first rank of militant nations."—Col, Thomas L. Livermore. "Love of Country Alone." "Love of country alone could have In spired 300,000 men to die for the union. Nothing less sacred than this love of country could have sustained 175,000 brave men who suffered and starved and died in rebel prisons. Nor could anything else have given comfort to the 500,000 maimed and diseased who escaped immediate death in siege and battle to end in torment the remainder of their patriot lives."—William Mo Kinley, July 4, 1894. "Union Dearer for Their Blood." "God bless the union! It Is dearer to us for the blood of the brave men which has been shed in Its defense."— Edward Everett at Gettysburg, 1863. Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. The greatest service the Grand Army of the Republic has rendered is tho beautiful way in which it gives life to the principles of the organization—fra ternity, charity and loyalty. That millions of men of every degree of life and station should for 40 years be bound together by this common bond of brotherhood is not only worthy of admiration, but also of imitation by the members of this republic. Charity, or love, is the greatest thing in the world, and love is the key to every department of life, the founda tion of patriotic teaching, the safety of the country, the home and the individ ual. Loyalty to their comrades, their or ganization, their country and their God has been fittingly illustrated in the lives of these boys i' blue. This trinity of principles, if copied . by our 80,000,000 citizens, would make us the greatest nation on earth. Keep Alive Love for Flag. As each year rolls around some patri otic city is asked to welcome the G. A. R. in a grand runeion, striving to out do some other city which with out stretched arms has welcomed the G. A. It. In a grand reunion, striving to out-J to life a dormant spirit of devotion to 1 the old (lag and.a resolve that this union of states will never be dissolved, j Without the O. A. R. to refresh the memory of the people of this country, they would be apt t' forgi t the gr- at sacrifice this nation suffered that thli union should not be dissolved. Again there is another wing to the G. A. It., the Sons of Veterans, organ ized togo hand in hand with the Q. ' A. R. to perpetuate their memory for generations to come, to keep alive the love for tho old Ha as the strength of the nation depends on the love of iua people to defend It la tltne oi duutivr. i Balcom & Lloyd. 1 ===== 1 I | iWE have the best stocked general store in the couDty jjjl and if you are looking for re- B liable goods at reasonable g prices, we are ready to serve g you with the best to be found. H] p Our reputation for trust- « 10 worthy goods and fair dealing k Q is too well known to sell any fit U) Iff a but high grade goods. |J Our stock of Queensware and |! Ohinaware is selected with w, great care and we have some i of the most handsome dishes g } ever shown in this section, jj I both in imported and domestic p makes. We invite you to visit i] us and look our goods o&er. ij | Balcom A Lloyd. J LOOK ELSEWHERE BUT DON'T FORGET IJ || THESE PRICES AND FACTS AT I | LaBAR S|| I m -U Lii M H || We carry in stock | - . | || || the largest line of Car- . „ i fcj pets, Linoleums and ft/ H Mattings of all kinds ® n 'ffl JJ ever brought to this PI town. Also a big line H 9 * Mof samples. Igfejl M A very large line of FOR THE |2Sf ?! Lace Curtains that can- £* m " COMFORTABLE LODGING »< II Art Squares and of fine books in a choice library ?! Rugs of all sizes and select the Ideal pattern of Globe- P* M kind, from the cheap- Wernicke "Elastic" Bookcase. || est to the best. Furnished with bevel French M M plate or leaded glass doors. M || Dining Chairs, roa OALt °* || Rockers and GEO. J. LaBAR, MtjM High Chairs. Sole Agent for Cameron County. A large and elegant ■■ ■ 1 ?! ££ line of Tufted and ?! Drop-head Couches. Beauties snd at bargain prices. £4l M || S3O Bedroom Suite, OC S4O EVdeboard, qoar- CQfi solid oak at 4)ZO tered cak 3)OU P* S2B Bedroom Suits, $32 Sideboard, quar- (for M RFV solid oak at 4>Z! tered oak J)JLU || ** $25 Bed room Suits, ffld $22 Sideboard, quar- <T|C M solid oak at 3)ZU I tered oak, W M M A large line of Dressers from I Chiffoniers of all kinds and M M $S up. I a 1 prices. H II |g The finest line of Sewing Machines 011 the market, kg ij the "DOMESTIC" and "EIXRJLGE.' All diop- Jj 112! heads and warranted. A fine line of Dishes, common grade and China, in J JJ sets and by the piece. M §1 As I keep a full line of everything that goes to If M make up a good Furniture store, it is useless to ennui- || M erate them all. *« || 1 lease call and see for yourself that I am telling h| you the truth, and if you don't buy, there is 110 harm ** H done, as it is 110 trouble to show goods. Ii GEO. J .LaBAR. :j UrSTDERTAIiIIVG. Www wi 3
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers