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Show fO far as those to whom the day was originally dedicated dedi-cated are concerned, the crest has been passed. The tide is ebbing. The army of stalwart men who Vjivjk once marched with meas-i meas-i "''li'if;! ured tread and upright shoulders is today the thin blue line that wavers at times in ipite of the heroic attempts to .hrow off the weight of years. This s the pathetic feature of Memo-ial Memo-ial day. The broken ranks, the fal-;ering fal-;ering footsteps, the snowy locks, .he stooping shoulders, the halting jalt, the shortening line that each rear brings hear silent testimony to :he fact that it is only a matter of a lew years until the thin blue line will lave become a blessed memory when io last of the boys of '61 -jill have I answered the final roll call, when taps j will have been sounded over the last ! gallant defender of the Union. However, there is little to fear be- cause of the possibility that Memorial day will be permitted to die, that the memories of that mighty host will not be preserved. Another and a younger generation of patriots is filling in the gap occasioned by the passing of the G. A. R. The Spanish War Veterans, the stalwart line of brown, the khaki-' khaki-' clad young heroes who emulated the example of their fathers and went forth to fight for the freedom of an I oppressed race, are the coming main-1 main-1 stay of Memorial day. Memories of a later but no less glorious struggle. ?ven if on a less extensive scr.!e, are awakened in them by the flay, In j whose observance they unite with their elders. |