The United Opinion

The following poem, written by a woman fifty years ago, that had given two brothers, who gave up their lives that our Union should not perish from the face of the earth, will be appreciated by many who placed flowers on the graves of our dead in Oxbow Burying Ground on Memorial Day.

Decoration Day.

O lovely flowers! lie tenderly
Above each hero slain
Distil your dying odors long
Drop tears. O gentle rain.

They left our side, so young and strong
At a bleeding country's call.
Now, painted slab and grassy mound
Say sternly-"This is all."

O, was it wise to send them forth
To the bloody sacrifice?
How count the gain, for such loss
Each wounded spirit cries.

But God is just, and slavery doomed
Where'er its curse has flown.
For only precious BLOOD, e'er
For such a crime atone.

So, while with tears, we view these years
In memory's casket laid.
'Tis well to tell our children, why
These many graves were made.

And teach them long and faithfully
The law for Nations true.
Do ye to others, as ye would
That they should do to you."

O may our nation honor Him,
Whose hand has made us free,
And may He bless these gifts, and say
"Ye did it unto me."

E. D. T.