During the war they did nobly , giving their time and money , their sons and selves to the good cause , and I was proud of them . But now too many of them have fallen back into the old ways , and their motto seems to be , ` Every one for himself , and the devil take the hindmost . ' Cheating , lying and stealing are hard words , and I do n't mean to apply them to all who swarm about below there like ants on an ant-hill -- they have other names for these things , but I 'm old-fashioned and use plain words . There 's a deal too much dishonesty in the world , and business seems to have become a game of hazard in which luck , not labor , wins the prize . When I was young , men were years making moderate fortunes , and were satisfied with them . They built them on sure foundations , knew how to enjoy them while they lived , and to leave a good name behind them when they died . `` Now it 's anything for money ; health , happiness , honor , life itself , are flung down on that great gaming-table , and they forget everything else in the excitement of success or the desperation of defeat . Nobody seems satisfied either , for those who win have little time or taste to enjoy their prosperity , and those who lose have little courage or patience to support them in adversity . They do n't even fail as they used to . In my day when a merchant found himself embarrassed he did n't ruin others in order to save himself , but honestly confessed the truth , gave up everything , and began again . But now-a-days after all manner of dishonorable shifts there comes a grand crash ; many suffer , but by some hocus-pocus the merchant saves enough to retire upon and live comfortably here or abroad . It 's very evident that honor and honesty do n't mean now what they used to mean in the days of old May , Higginson and Lawrence . `` They preach below here , and very well too sometimes , for I often slide down the rope to peep and listen during service . But , bless you ! they do n't seem to lay either sermon , psalm or prayer to heart , for while the minister is doing his best , the congregation , tired with the breathless hurry of the week , sleep peacefully , calculate their chances for the morrow , or wonder which of their neighbors will lose or win in the great game . Do n't tell me ! I 've seen them do it , and if I dared I 'd have startled every soul of them with a rousing peal . Ah , they do n't dream whose eye is on them , they never guess what secrets the telegraph wires tell as the messages fly by , and little know what a report I give to the winds of heaven as I ring out above them morning , noon , and night . '' And the old spirit shook his head till the tassel on his cap jangled like a little bell . `` There are some , however , whom I love and honor , '' he said , in a benignant tone , `` who honestly earn their bread , who deserve all the success that comes to them , and always keep a warm corner in their noble hearts for those less blest than they .
These are the men who serve the city in times of peace , save it in times of XXXXX , deserve the highest honors in its gift , and leave behind them a record that keeps their memories green .
Lawrence day days hocus-pocus labor night noon now-a-days stealing war