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FINE TRIBUTE TO THE HORSE - Horses Played an Important Part in the Late War. The Horse Always an Important Factor in the Big Things of the World. The New York Herald recently printed an interesting commentary on the part the horse has played in history, excerpts from which follow : To the horse in the world conflict, living and dead, is due unstinted praise. To them the victorious nations should erect a monument of unexampled beauty as a memorial of the sacrifices and sufferings of those who could only express their loyalty and devotion to duty by dumb obedience. From the days of Job the horse has been an important factor in the scheme of things. In the thirty-ninth chapter of the Book of Job there is a description of the horse un-equaled in grandeur. Here it is in part: "Hast thou given the horse strength? Hast Ihou clothed his neck with thunder? He paweth in the valley and rejoiceth in his strength ; he goeth on to meet the armed men ; he mocketh at fear and is not affrighted ; neither turneth he back from the sword. He smelleth the battle from afar off, the thunder of the captains and the shouting." The centaurs of Phidias, the chariot of Jupiter drawn by eight white horses, the Thessalian cavalry celebrated in history, the horsemen of Philip and Alexander, of Scipio against Hannibal ; the steeds of Mohammed, the. chargers of the Bedouins, the chariots of Pharaoh, the Libyan charioteers, the cavalry of David all tell of the part the horse has played in ancient history. Who has not read of the taming of Bucephalus "like a centaur looked the youth and steed" and the words: What a noble creature did he seem, Too noble for a creature to bestride? Who has not read of Byrons Mazeppa, "who looked like as though the speed of thought were in his limbs"? What lover of chivalry has not read of young Lochinvar, immortalized by Scott, and the words: "Through all the wide border his steed was the best"? What lover of the heroic has not thrilled over Joaquin Millers "Kit Carsons Ride"? In the ride of Paul Revere to warn the settlers near Boston Longfellow has paid a tribute to a noble horse as well as a noble man. What schoolboy has not recited these words: He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns And beneath from the pebbles, in passing, a spark Struck out by a steed that flies fearless and fleet? The horse has borne to victory and fame many men in history. Napoleon and Wellington, Alexander and Caesar, Cromwell and Washington and Grant won immortal glory on the back of a horse. Who has not read Thomas Buchanan Reads stirring words of Sheridans ride: With foam and with dust the black charger was gray; By the flash of his eye and the red nostrils play He seemed to the whole army to say: "I have brought you Sheridan all the way From Winchester twenty miles away." And when their statues are placed on high, Under the dome of the Union sky Be it said in letters bold and bright: "Here is the steed that saved the day By carrying Sheridan into the fight From Winchester twenty miles away"? The hero horses of the great war gave their lives for our service. They faced shot and shell and "in the shock of battle fell." All honor to their memory!
