Evening Star Newspaper, May 31, 1897, Page 11

THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, MAY 81, 1897—16 PAGES. ONOR FOR HEROES (Continued from First Page.) telles, the edge of lilies and white flowers. White immortelles in the center made the inscripticn, briel R. Paul, Post No. 101, N. J.,” at the foot of the grave @ lux- urfous bush bearing scores of white roses added to the effect. Another impressive decoration was at the tomb of fed! Director John Mills Browne. This was a blanket of ivy leaves, edged with white immortelles, while across the ivy in the same flowers was the word ‘Women's Work. 2 The Loyal Legion of Women, the Wom- an’s Relief Corps, Sheridan Post, No. 14, G.A.R., and other organizations aided in the decoration and embellishment of the resting place of the great Sheridan, and Ad- miral Porter's tomb was exquisitely treated by the survivors of the brave sailors who loved and followed him. But everywhere was brightness and beauty, and the fragrance of the flowers that filled the air was almost as sweet as the spirit that Jnspired their bringing. The road to Arlington was crowded all day with the coming crowds. There were countless carriages, scores folowing scores on foot, and every electric car on both the Arlington-reaching lines was crowded in every inch of space on every trip made The crowd at the cemetery at noon num- — at a conservative estimate 20,000 peo- ple. The arrival of the Grand Army and the other organizations, with their bands play- fng and banners flying, caused the con- vergence of the multitude to the vicinity of the mansion, where the parade was formed to visit the tomb of the 2,000 illustrious though unknown dead, who lle together beneath the massive granite sarcophagus south of the mansion. This noble spot had been literally hidden by floral tributes, and seemingly every visitor had cast a bloom to the immense mass that lay scattered around it. From the tomb of the Unknown the way ‘was made to the amphitheater, where the services of the day were held. The people crowded around in every possible place of vantage to hear the words of the elo- quent orators and listen to the inspiring music of the Marine Band and the choir. At the Ampitheater. Reaching the amphitheater the boom of cannon firing the national salute made the echoes reverberate, and shortly after the noon hour the exercises were com- menced with the impressive “‘sounding of the assembly” by a bugler of the 4th cav- alry. The grand music of Reinhart's funer- Tracy, rendered Herbert's “The Burial of the Dead” with excellent effect, and Thos. 8. Hopkins, department commander of the Department of the Potomac, G. A. R., call- €d the assembly to order. Calling to Order. Department Commander Thos. 8. Hop- kins, in calling the assembly to order, said: “Once more do we meet on this historic ground, in this city of our dead. Again do we come with flowers in our hands for the Braves of our dead- comrades, and again Depertment Commander Hopk flo we go back in memory to the dark days, when, as young men, we stood side by side with these comrades who are here sleeping their last sleep. “How vividly do we recall their bright young faces, their gallant bearing, thelr matchless heroism! We remember them as tney followed the flag through the fierce storm of baitle, and as they went down under the merciless fire. We remem- ber them as they lay on the battlefield, with their white. upturned faces; in the hospital, and, saddest of all, in the prison pen, where they starved and died, and were buried in nameless graves. We set apart this day as one sacred to their mem- very, to the memory of those who so bravely died that the nation might live. We are old row and life is not worth much to us, but these gave up ir young lives in the first blush of early manhood and with all life's possibilities before them. It was a great e, but it makes every star and every siripe upon that flag so much the dearer, for that which costs much is worth much. “The magnitude of the sacrifice made by those who gloriously died, and by those who fortunately survived, will never be fully known to others than the soldiers themselves. It will not be found written in books; monuments to their memory will not reveal the story; the records of the Grand Army of the Republic will not show @t; the immortal pages of history upon which will be engraved their names will but faintly reflect it. Th® full knowledge of what they suffered for flag and country 4s locked in the heart of the soldier him- Zz: and it will die with him, for he could reveal it if he would. “And in our respect for the dead we Pore not forget the living, with their eavy burden of wounds, infirmities and advancing years. It has been sald that ofttimes it requires a higher courage to live than to die. How true is this of many, Teany of our cripple and prematurely old comrades. “Yet the most of us have much to be grateful for. We rejoice in the memory of our dead heroes; that they died not in vain; that we have one country and one flag: that so many of us have survived: that, though your bodies are scarred and crippled and there are deep lines of suffer- ing written in your faces, your mental powers are unimpaired and you are as wes able now. if not better than ever be- ‘e, to discharge with credit to yourselves and with honor to your country the duties of an American citizen, or to serve in an official capacity your state, or the General government. We also rejoice that @ne of our comrades, who in the early days wf the war carried the musket on his Bhoulder, is now chief magistrate of this Breat nation, and sits here today with us fide by side with the humblest comrade. ‘The beautiful month of May, with its birds and flowers and soft sunshine, will rome and go, but we, the survivors of that Jreat struggle, will soon join our comrades Ss the other shore, and we shall be found io more in these hallowed grounds, where We have so often come to do homage to the ep ot = beloved dead. “We are living, and we shall happy belief that the gtr tis @ay will be perpetuated by % patriotic and & grateful people, and that the lessons of Patriotism, which we here seek to em- phasize in the presence of the living and the dead, may continue to be taught at these graves by the rising generations. “And we are confirmed in this belief to- day by the presence with us and the co. operation of so many patriczic men and Women who are younger than we.” At the conclusion of Commander Hop- kins’ address, which was followed with close attention, the Marine Band rendered Rossini’s sacred chorus, “Charity.” The exquisite strains had hardly died away when the voice of Rev. W. H. Black, chap- lain of the Department of the Potomac, arose in a solemn invocation. The scene ‘was most impressive, the uncovered heads of the multitude within tho amphitheater and witnout were bowed in reverence and éach heart seemed responsive to the words of the prayer. Chaplain’s Prayer. Department Chaplain W. H. Black in the prayer at Arlington said: “O Lord, our God, Thou art very great; ‘Thou art clothed with honur and majesty. ‘We are the workmanship of Thy hands; fearfully and wonderfully hast Thou made us. Nevertheless, by an abuse of man’s’ moral agency, we are all sinners. We come to Thee on this Memorlal day, amid these monuments of the dead, with the stars and stripes floating over us, to re- pent of our sins, and, in tho name of Jesus I mpt- with prospects and ‘respon: ously great. And now, Father, bless the G. A. R. and women’s relief organiza- authority may Thy tion rest. Give to Cuba and Greece, and struggling human- Save us all in It was appropriate that such an impres- sive song as Springer’s “Once More With Solemn Tread” should have followed at this juncture, and the choir sang it with great feeling. The Marine Band rendered Fan- ctulli’s elegy, “Departed Heroes,” and after the reading of the orders of the day by Assistant Adjutant General Arthur Hen- dricks of the Department of the Potomac Representative Jonathan P. Dolliver of Iowa delivered the oration. Assistant Adjutant General Hendricks Arthur Hendricks, the assistant adjutant general of the Department of the G. A. R., is one of the most valuable members of the Grand Army in the country. The program of the ceremonies in connection with Deco- ration day has been prepared under his di- rection, and he accomplished this important work with the same energy and zeal that characterizes him in everything he under- takes. He enlisted In Company G, New Arthur Hendricks, York Volunteers (Duryea Zouaves), August 26, 1862, and was transferred to Company G of the 145th New York Volunteers, on the battlefield at Chancellorsville. He was honorably discharged July 22, 1865. He joined the Grand Army of the Re- public twenty-five years ago. He came a member of Burnside Post, No. 8, of this department in 1885, and has occ! all the positions of trust and honor in that post, having served as commander in 1890. He was chosen as delegate-at-large at the rational encampment in 1891, and was as- sistant adjutant general of the department in 1892, his present being his second term in that important office. Mr. Hendricks ts a member of the Old Guard of this city and is now serving as its judge advocate. He was also attorney of the board of trustees. He has been identified with the organiza- tion for several years and takes great in- terest in its welfare and success. He is of inveluable assistance to Department Com- mander Hopkins, endeavoring to aid him to the fullest extent, and, with the com- mand Jeads an active life among the comrades, endeavoring In every way to ad- vance their interests. Mr. DoHivyer'’s Addresn. Mr. Dolliver, at Arlington, spoke, in part, as follows: ¢ “This day, first set apart by the reverent custom of the people, has been designated by law as a perpetual memorial of the men who gave their names to the Union army and navy, and were faithful unto death. Only a few thousand are buried in the beautiful inclosures that surround this capital. What you have done, there- fore, is only a part of the universal cere- mony of the nation, at all the high places of the land where the veterans are at rest. Every year makes {ts mournful contribu- tion to the silent army. What you have done, therefore, is In memory aiso of the new graves, fast outnumbering the old. A few more years and the last survivor will have departed, the last encampment will be adjourned in silence, the last post deserted, the worn ritual pu: away, and little children upon the streets will hush their laughter, to look at bent and white- haired men, the last of the Grand Army of the Republic. What we have done, therefore, is a grateftl recognition of the living, no less than a memorial of the scattered dead. The spirit of this hour puts to silence the voice of partisan dis- pute. It persuades our thoushis from the sordid enterprises of the world. It sancti- fies these flying minutes to the tender offices of memory and of love. The da ot right belongs to the veterans of the clvil war, and to the men and women who snee of those bleeding years. To «all others, and most of all to us who ere younger, the simpie*rites of this anniversary cover a secret; the hidden things of »loed, that touch the foundations of the world, dimly interpreted of old, and only brought to light at last by the Hoiy One of [srael, in that mysterious gift of the divine life, by which the weary and heavy-laden cen- turies have been redeemed. “It is one of the hard necessities of war that men must be buried where they dic. In some cases, it is true, 2 care of kin- dred brought back the bodies of the deat to the old home, and there they sleep in quiet churchyards, where a beaten path- way through the tangled grass still proves the patient loyaity of tears. Rut the fate Representative J. P. Dolliver. of nearly all who fell was to Me teside their comrades, as the old Greeks interred only the champions of their most famous national exploits, near the field of their last figh! Mr. Dolliver told of the establishment of the national cemeteries. “They mark,” he said, “tho fields of his- toric battles. ‘They tell the story of bar- barous prisons. They recite the elegy of the universal mourning. More than sev- enty-five in number, they guard the duat of more than 300,000 men. In some of them great muititudes sleep together. These his- toric heights have been made holy by the graves of 16,000 men, while at Vicksburg a number even larger, attest the stubborn struggle of treason against the irom genius of our greatest soldier. In others, only a few sleep side by side. Yonder at Ball's Bluff twenty-five are buried, as if a little company of friends had gone into camp together. Besides those enumerated In the record, thousands no doubt from both army and navy received no orderly funeral. Of them it may be said, as it is written of the Hebrew patriots, no man knoweth their sepulcher unto this day.” Speaking of gratitude to the soldier the speaker sald: tions are not wealthy enough to reward all old age of the army, on what Mr. Linco used to cali ‘a t ed to the pocket,’ without inviting a na- tional degrad: 3 the penalti of common shame. ly mausoleum to which thousands have gono “While It Is true that na- the devotion to which their great struggles give rise, yet I do not hesitate to say that the American republic cannot neglect the picayune argument address- lation more disgraceful than Within sight of the national capital stands a state- teday, in grateful appreciation of lite that wes full of service to the afflcted and unfortunate among his comrades. To ie pauperes mo mesalennde oy benedalerice ipers, no mendicants, no of grudging chari ed, but in vain, fer the return of fathers el by their valor. He knew them, as with Sherman tl mi ruin- ed cities: of to the sea. He knew them, as they rode with the valley ‘of the Shenando: them. as with Grant, in the wilderness of Virginia, they drew the line of fire about the rebel capital. He knew them inthe years poe es and phe wee ae aay sympethy*the struggle ly life, and today from many a desolate fireside. there has fallen a comrade’s blessing on the name of John A. Logan, the ideal. volun- teer of the civil war.” - 2 After a beautiful tribute to the unknown dead Mr. Dolliver said: “It is no part of the purpose of this an- niversary to keep alive the prejudices of the past. But we do not fitly commemorate the Union dead unless = eee — = exact principles they len a truth which ‘their blood sealed. Take from an army the high purpose that inspires it, the ideas that march with it, the faith thet lives in its victory and you have left only the yells of contending barbarians, an ig- neble parade cf ac regis ones poi great as a military , but greater as a moral spectacle. The final surrender was more than a mere enumera- tion of prisoners, more than a mere sched- ule of munitions. It was a parole of ned systems, a parole of defeated theories, a parole of discredited heresies. A few years'ago I saw the surviving lead- ‘ers of the south standing amid the shouts of popular acclamation about the figure of Robert E. Lee, set up in the capital of Virginia. In the throng gathered about the statue were aged men and womer: who had doubtless heard the jargon of the auc- tioneer repeated over their defenseless heads, for nearby lay the dismantled mar- ket place where for two centuries men were bought and sold, while from the state house, just at hand, waved the captured flag of the fallen empire of American slavery. Measured by what we know of the past and by what we hope for the future.these monuments seem like a weak and clumsy protest against the flood of years. If they are meant for more than the tribute of a brave people to the favorite soldiers of their misfortune they will only serve to show how vain and empty are the plans of men against the increasing purpose that runs through the ages. I speak without the potson of sectional bitterness, for I was born in Virginia, and I love the old com- monwealth with a filial affection. Nor do 1 forget that in the grandest act of peace the world ever saw your great commander handed back the sword of Lee, that In the hour of victory he might not lose the privileges of a friend. “Already prophetic voices anticipate the sober second judgment of the south. In business, in politics, in Hterature men are coming forward who breathe the air of a better era. George W. Cablc, with the white fingers of genius, has touched the ‘mystic chords of memory stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthsione” of the nation. He is the pioneer of the new literature of the south, and has brought the credentials of the confederate soldier into the academy of American letters, In one of his most fascinating romances, the heroine of the story is seen standing at a street cormer in New York, watching the enlisting regiments as they march through applauding multitudes away to the thea- ‘ter of war. It is a notable picture, and portrays with the skill of a masterpiece, those tumultuous days when the heart of the metropolis was stirred by the tides of a mighty enthusiasm, which forgot the care of stocks and bonds and merchandise, in solicitude for the life of the republic. Suddenly the scene changes. The timid woman, standing on ‘the street corner, di: appears and we see only the flying banners; but in the tumult of the populace we hear the returning reason of the south exclal ‘Go marching »n, soldiers of the ion. Your cause is just. Lo, now, since night twenty-five years have passed, we of the south can say it.’ We cannot ask the peo ple of the southern states to withhold from their leaders the marks of honor, nor from their dead the signs of mourning. On the other hand, you of the Grand Army can. draw near and give a soldier's salutation ta the misguided valor_of your country- men. You cannot do more. You owe it to the past, you owe it to the infinite future, to keep alive the faith that your cause was just. When that sentiment shall find a Place in the laws, in the literature, in the Poiitics, in the daily life of all the people, then shall be fulfilled the prayer of patri- ots and martyrs and soldiers—then shail these scattered graves of the republic, re- calling to all hearts a perfect patriotism, witness at least a perfect amnesty.” The choir rendered Neale’s “Garland Their Graves” at the conclusion of Mr. Doiliver's masterly address, and many voices In the gathering were heard joining in the hymn. Dr. Thomas Calver then read an original poem. time the supremacy o1 states, and the etegnal ality of all men. They. grappled. » She monster . giant, armed secession, and after a conflict so ter- rible and bloody that the .world.as.it look- ed on stood. breathlegs in horror and amazement, left its lifeless hody t> molder on the field of canfict., They, uated the free institution of a free land in the heart of this republic, and on !ts hill tops, in its valleys, on its plains, and amid God's wondrous temples in its picturesque wood- lands, erected the altars of liberty and in- vited ‘the genius of the earth to worshtp at their: shrines. “After the war was over, realizing that mercy is the brightest flower in the victor’s wreath, they bade the vanquished return to their homes, lay ast muskets, for the tools and implements of workshop @nd_fatmi, and mingle with the songs of the birds their i ft cententment, industry and‘ peace. Thus spreading over al Ithe past ‘the mantle of sweet charity and brotherly love, they re- turned to ‘their’ ies, and soon as com- rades and soldiers in war. were lost in the busy throng of citizens of peace. “Surely the Unicn aoldiers.are the as- sured idols of undyirg renown, for in every emergency, in every danger, in the shadows of every cloud however dark, they were elways found clinging to the Constitution and the Union, as the sheet anchor of hope for the welfare of their children. Some of them sleep today in the groves of the sunny south; some Ife in lonely ravines; some in graves ard trenches in national cemeteries, marked “unknown.” Yet they are rot unknown, .and not forgotten; for their names are engraved. on Columbia's temple of fame where time can never dim their splendid luster. They live in the im- mortality that blooms beyond the grave; they live in the records of their country’s history; tkey lve in the hearts of living milHons, on mountain, valley and plain, and their graves will be known as shrines 80 long as chivalry girds on a sword, shrines. where patriot knees will bend and patriot eyes will veep. so long as freedom has a worshiper and patriotism a devo- tee. While we honor and revere their memory, we do not forget their comrades who stood by their sides when they feil, and who are yet with us; they must share our gtatitude and praise. I for one do not believe in the practice so common of wait- ing until men are Gead to honor them; I believe it is just right and proper that worthy deserving men should be ‘permitted to enjoy the rehearsal of their glorious achievements while they live I would just ay leave Kcnor a living hero as to im- mortalize ~ déad saint; and when we speak of the virtues of the men who loyed lib- erty and Urion well enough to defy all hazard in their defense, we speak equally ef those who have pitched their tents on the plains of the spirit land and those who yet walk with us the walk of life. “Standing here on the héights of Arling- ton, ‘ollowed with ten thousand heroic dead, we feel proud of them all, but we are also proud of their comrades who yet survive; and we are glad that one of them —the gallant Wm. McKinley, stands at the helm of the old ship of state, and with a firm hand has turned its prow toward the beckor ing seas of a still more prosperous future, while waving at her masthead with stars that appear to Hberty-loving people like the morning stars of God, and stripes like beams of morning light, we see the banner of the republicy bearing the beau- tiful inecription, ‘Mo Hust, No West, No North, No South,’ut ihe United States of America, the home,ef the heaven born gift— liberty. A Benutital’ Example. “A few years afd, Jeth Hollingsworth, a young ‘minér ‘fh’ aWestéti’ camp, “was' tarn- ing a windlass by wlifth a bucket filled with earth was véitig"Hfted to the sur- face, while twé oF histomrates were dig- ging “bt the bottdit’ of the iime?-When within a shert dfftant® of the top ‘the’ handle broke arid thé: packet sterbed down with fearful forte; the. remembering his friends. at the idettpmset the mine, Jem threw his: body into the cogs of the wheel and checked the+fejl.of the bucket. By- standers seeing the accident hastened to him, and after gecvring the windlass, took poor Jem’s bleeding and mangled body out, and iaid it onc@ stretcher; as they car- ried nim away ne of the men sald: ‘Jem, this is awful,’ but with @ smile on his dyin, lips poor Jem replied: ‘What's the differ- ence since it saved the boys.’ “Thousands of splendid young men, over a third ofc@ century ago, threw their strong, manly forms into the iron jaws of rebellion, and when they were taken out mangled’ and bleeding and sent home on crutches, with empty sleeves, bearing scars and wounds, the legacies of battlefields, their loved ones said, ‘Isn't it awful! Their answer was: ‘What's the difference since it saved the Union.’ Oh, patriotism superb! Oh, heroism sublime! Let a grateful na- tion see to it that not one of the least of these shall be permitted to die in a poor house, or be buried in a potter’s field.” Mr. Davis, after a tribute to women’s work in the war, spoke vividly of the op- pertunities afforded the poor boy in this country. Eloquent Picture. “Today we see the beautiful picture of many an old veteran on the porch of his quiet home, smoking his pipe and dream- ing of the long agd. His little grandson climbs upon his knee, and putting his arms about the old man’s neck, says: ‘Grandpa, tell me about the war and the soldier boys." The old veterans eyes light up, a sad smile plays o'er his wrinkled face, as his mind wanders back through the last third of a century. Then, in the simple speech of childhood, he tells the little lad how, one night many years ago, he returned from the village to the old farm, and us he sat down to supper his mother, noticing upon his face a look of sadness, inquired its cause. Then he said: ‘Mother, dear, all the boys in the village and on the neigh- boring farms have enlisted in Colonel Jones" regiment and tomorrow will respond to Lincoln's call for volunteers; I feel that I, too, must go.’ “Then that heroic mother, with tears streaming down her face, said: ‘John, my boy, you are the only staff on which to lean in my old age, but if I had a hun- dred sons, and old Abe should need them to save the Union, I would freely give them all.” And how the next morning, placing on his arm the small bundle that contained a Bible, a picture of father, who died years ago, and some small trinkets, such as only a mother can think of, the start for the village was made. As he neared the end of the lane leading to the highway he turned to take a last look at all that was near and dear to him. In the distance he-saw the fields of waving grain, the orchard, too, with its red apples; the meadow, o’er which at eventide the cattle came winding o’er the lea; the well by the house, with {ts old oaken bucket, out of which many a time -he drank on his return from the harvest field, and, standing on the porch, waving. her™handkerchief, as a last farewell, he saw the dear old mother, the best and truest friend a young man ever had. Then he’ telld the little lad how he turned away to join his comrades, and to the music of the fiféiand drum marched away to the land of Dixie. Then he tells of long, weary marches, of queer, sad and amusing incidents“of camp life, of untold sufferings in hospital und prison pen, of battles fierce and terribte; how he and his comrades bared their!-breasts to storms of shot and shelbnat Bull Run, Antietam, Shiloh and Donelson; yaow they climbed the rugged side afiMissionary Ridge, over belching cannon, shridking muskets and valiant men, to pjuc! ie floweret of vic- tory that blossomed on’ lofty crest; how they followed the/Waving plume of ‘Black Jack’ Logan, stoad as firm as a rock with ‘Pap’ Thomas at od fi rear and, weary Dr. Tmomas Calver. At Arlington, ‘The sunshine of summer down vistas of shade, ‘Through beautiful branches, In glancing And turning the turf to a silken brocade, With fairies all over it dancing; ‘The breeze is as balmy and sweet as the breath Exhiled from the lips of the flowers, And beautiful life tells of glorious death In Aclington’s sanctified bowers. ‘The robins and thrushes are sending their song From bosoms with beauty enraptured: The winds that without seem to hurry along Are here by the sweets gently captured; The ‘monuments, graven and carved with designs Of mourning ‘and grief emblematic, Seem framed by the scene into loveliest lines ‘That speak of a glory ecstatic. The river, below, like a silvery bend ‘The gems of the nation is binding, As,-cireling thts crown of historical lind, ‘So lovingly past it 1s winding; For here are set Jewels, refulgent and rare, Columbia's history prizes; ‘Their splendor seems filling’ the rapturous air ‘That over their resting place rises. ‘The city, beyond, of the glorious name It won’ from its founder, Immortal; The Capitol, temple of national fame, Subliine from its dome to Its portal; ‘The beautiful fane of the world’s richest lore, ‘The light from its golden crown beaming; The typical shaft of the man we adore, In purity far aloft gleaming. ‘The homes where the thousands in happiness e streets in bright greenness entbowered ; The lofty, nificent piles that attest ‘That plenty here freely las showered; All tell of the nation’s enriching success And seem in thetr grandeur and beanty To smile at this shrine of her brave ones and bless Her soldier's allegiance to duty. For here repose heroes who vallantly braved All perils to show their devotion And carcied ber banner aloft till it waved In triumph from ocean to ocean; And many whose requiem only was sung chorus of echoes of battle— ‘The sound of the, cannon's red, death-dealing tongue, ‘The musketry’s murderous rattle, rest; ‘Thongh buried unknown, yet their memory lives Enshrined in the hearts of the ving; In national glory thetr sacrifice gives ‘And blesses (th peace in its giving. y hink of the hopes and the ‘Ths love snd the sweet. warts, waspocee. ‘The vows, the ambitions here laid with our boys, Unkuowa save in bearts that are broken, and footsore, mi ed {n ragged blue with ‘Uncle Billy’ Sherfian from Atlanta to the how, with ‘iyenderful: valor, they walked with ‘Fighting Joe’ Hooker above the clouds on Lookout Mountain, and, like a whirlwind, with Phil Sheridan swept down the valley of the Shenandoah; how with Porter and Farragut they proved their prowess and yalor on the water, as well as on the land, and how they incar- nadined the heights of Gettysburg with the crimson tide of their ‘lives, and brought the flag they loved so well in glory to Ap-| pomattox, where on its victorious staff the God of our nation:brought the eagle of victory to nestle.with the sweet dove of peace. Then he tells of peace restored to a grateful nation, and of the return of the surviving soldiers to their homes in the north and south,» that now no more shall the war cry sever, nor the winding rivers be red, for the boys in blue and the boys in gray have ‘banished their anger forever, stnce they have begun to’ garland In reverence tread near the spot where they Ie And deck it with garlands the fairest; Let tears like the dews that are wept from on high Refreshen its verdnre, the rarest; For nearest to heaven of all earth'is the wod Where dust of our brave buys reposes z A cle Kouls to ra When death thelr proud history closes," O° The Marine Band played Fanclulli’s march, “Military at Appomattox.” Assist- ent Secretary of the Interior Webster Davis was introduced at this point. His youth and strong features at once attracted the vast audience, and when he began his address bis first gentence held tke complete at- tention of all within reach of it. . Few speakers have occupied the famous amphi- theater at Arlington on such an with greater effect. In the course of his-| address Mr. Webster said: | ear Assistant Secretary Davis, - “The children, who by ‘the side*of pa-' triotic mothers welcomed home the sur- yiving soldiers at the close of the civil war, te - Vola. veteran’s feme!.But by and by ae Tomb. Soldiers’ Home to the tribute of love paid by a patrotic throng to the heroes whose ashes Ite in the. silent camp where are gathered the ashes of so many men who have passed their last days in the refuge provided by ‘soldiers’ contributions. The services at Soldiers’ Home cemetery began early. The parade formed at the home at 9:30 o'clock. The Soldiers’ Home Band headed the ¢ol- umn, and following were the committee and officers of the home, those who were to take part in the exercises, members of Henry Wilson Post, No. 17, G.A.R., vet- erans of the home and visitors. The 4th United States Artillery was to have been present to open the proceedings by a salute over the graves of the hero sol- diers, but did not arrive. The parade hav- ing reached the speakers’ stand, the veter- ans and their friends took great bunches of daisies that had been provided, and, ing between the rows of graves, whe ten thousand veterans are buried, strewed them with the simple flowers of the field. Each grave had a small American flag planted at its head. At Gen. Logan's tomb there was a profusion of choice ilowers, and Mrs. Logan remained there n:ost of the time while the ceremonies were in pro- gress at the speakers’ stand. At the Stand. The Soldiers’ Home Band, under the leadership of Professor M. C. Meyrelles, opened the services with a rendition cf “Grand Old Ocean,” and the Mozart Club, directed by Mr. Joseph H. Hunter, sang “Memories of Memorial Day.” When Dr, J. F. Raub, department commander, Sons of Veterans, called the meeting to order, there were gathered before the stand sev- eral thovsand veterans and others who came in fespect to the dead whose lives had been offered up as a sacrifice on the altar of their country. Dr. Raub’s Remarks. In calling the assembly to order at Sol- diers’ Home, Dr. J. F. Raub spoke feelingly of the new graves added the past year to the silent cities of the dead. “In honcring the men who died in de- fense ot the right,” he said, “‘we honor ourselves and receive a new inspiration, a rew baptism of patriotism; we receive a new impulse, a new determination to up- Dr. J. F. Raub. hold the principles of a free republic, and we bring home to the hearts and under- standings of the risirg generation the necessities, yea, the duty, of supporting and maintaining the government under which we live, and, if need be, to die in its defense. “Thirty-six years ago, when rebellion reared its unholy head, without any in- spiration from the past, but with an im- pulse and indignation, a patriotism fired to fever heat at the intelligence that rebels hed laid violent unholy hands on the dear old ‘Stars and Stripes,’ these who lie here buried, and those living who, in their suits of blue, mingle with you, hurried to the defense and support of their government. They were then but boys, as are many who today stand within the sound of my voice, boys from the tender age of fifteen years to twenty-two years of age. I am forcibly remirded, as I read on one of the tombstones in this sacred ‘bivouac of the dead’ the name of a Pennsylvania sol- dier who died as a lieutenant less than twenty-two years old, and that of another who died at the age of eighteen, that it was the boys who saved our country. Need you wonder that the name of boys still clings to them a third of a century after the clcse of these events, this war? “Many of them rever returned, many others were brovght back in the silent embrace of a warricr’s death, many died in prison pens and sleep in unknown graves, many others died on the battle- field or in the hospitals and ‘sleep their last sleep’ in this and other cemeteries. These wh. in the providerce of God were permitted to return as triumphant con- querors did so with shattered limbs, with bullet-pierced bodies or health undermined by disease, but with hearts aglow from the knowledge that they helped to save their country; and however poor they may be in the possession of worldly goods, no money, no price, can buy their heritage of patriot- ism and devotion to country. “Many of these old veterans, who in this beautiful home rest on their Idurels after devoting’ their whole active life to the service of their country, withstood ihe flattering offers to fcrsake her and follow their disloyal leaders into the rebel army. “Others of them were among those who a Nashville's thunder-thrills ‘TH we have turned to clay. ride From “twenty miles away.”” ‘The ips of Saint Philip's cuns SUM pour their thunder-tame, And Vicksburg’s mighty runs ‘With her great cony’ror's naine. But these, who sleep so soft and still, What motive led them forth ind tl the long-suffering’ North ? Why left the clerks their wares unsold, Farmers their fields unsown, ‘The priests their orlsous untold, Scholars the desk and gown? The Cause they fought for now is yours; ‘The Flag they loved so well, ‘Their Country—and your own—endures, Because they foughi and fell, ©a, then be yours the holy task To keep the faith as they; ‘This is the gucrdon that they ask, ‘On you this charge they lay. ‘The Mighty Dead, who sped the volts Which laid foul treason low, Call from their dark sepaichral vaults ‘To ward us “gainst the foe. ‘The Silent Man of Destiny Plecds from fair Riverside, “The land I've left united, see ‘Toat naught sball e’er divide.” He, who, on Chickamsuga’s sky Wrote his immorial name, Who Mission. Ridge’s ramparts high Swept with his sword of fume, from his wreath-enshrouded grave ‘The Hudson's waters b “Forever let that banner ‘wave Atuve me wher: I lie.” hills look down roast; soft echoes drown where Potoma her inirrored ling ‘War's last faint bugle-blast, ‘The fiery Sheridan bequeaths ‘To us his glory bright, ‘The ting he bore through battle-wreaths ‘To victory and light. From U Lo! from the silence. that enthralls ‘These sleepers round us here, ‘A yoice that every patriot cails; “Tis Logan's from his bier. “Keep well, ob, ye who come to spread Your flowers over me, ‘The starry banner o'er the dead— And oer the living—free. And they, the humble sleepers here, ‘Though lowly was their lot, Who faced the storm with bosoms bare When Hell's fierce breath wus hot; ‘These left their work for us to take Just where they laid it dow: And charge us for their mem'ry ‘To make their cause our own. What tongue or pen may speak of those Whose epitaph is spread On moldering marbles which disclose Where sleep the Unknowa Dead? ‘These from their nameless. sepu Pray us “Be faithful still?” Lift we our hands to heaven and swear, “God belping us we will.” ‘These—ever-living Dead; the few— ‘Old, halting, worn, gray ‘The young, and strong, these, these, all true Shall keep the flag alway. Nor shall the stars te dimmed. while yet With each returning Spring Menorial suns shall rise and set And Love her offerings bring. Miss Sallie Nicholson, accompanied by Miss: B. May Hunter, rendered ‘Rest the Brave,” the clear soprano voice of the singer echoing over the nearby encampment of the dead. Mr. Tracy L. Jeffords was the principal orator. Mr. Jefford’s Address. Mr. Tracy L. Jeffords in his oration at Soldiers’ Home opened his eloquent ad- dress with the quotation “Peace is the dream of philosophers; war is the history of man. Freedom and society, he said, are based on foundations of blood and bones. The world’s progress is marked by mile stones of conflict and carnage. Martyrdom, sacrifice and suffering in all countries and in all ages have been the cost of liberty and free institutions, said the orator, who briefly referred to the his- tory of war and the great cxamples of warriors. “Our own country,” he said, “has not been unlike others in its war record. Some one has said of our country that its his- & Mr. Tracy L. Jeffords. sprang to arms as volunteers when the] tory consists of making laws and fight- war of the rebellion began, served loyally and faithfully as such, and on the expira- tion of the term of enlistment they entered the regular army and gave more than a score of the best years of their lives to their country. All honor to the old vete- rane of the regular army who survive, and while we drop our tears and strew flowers on the graves of the dead, let us rededt- cate; reconsecrate ourselves to our flag and our ccuntry.” Rev. Gs H. Johnston of St. Paul's P. E. Church delivered the invocation and the Mozart Club, accompanied by the band, sang “‘To Thee, O Country.” Mr. W. H. Nelson read an original poem. Decoration Day, 1597. What mean these solemn banners, blown Half-mast upon the gale, A uotion’s sizn of moarning shown ‘O'er every bill and dale? ing. But who will say our revolution was not worth all it cost? Who will say that the preservation of this Union, making the United States of America the greatest and grandest country in the world, was not worth all the sacrifice of our civil strife? “May the memory of those who achieved the viciories, the fallen heroes and those who were with us, be kept fresh in the minds of fondly admiring millions, and may we soon see like victory and success come t» pitiable and oppressed Cuba. “To review the rebellion would take more time than this occasion allows. You who were in the service realize that there is no language capable of expressing what ycu saw and learned and endured in the icng marches, the tiresome sieges, the bat- tles, charges ‘and sufferings. “Words are but feeble reminders of Buil Run or the hornet’s nest at Shiloh—34 per cent of 61,000 fell—or Vicksburg, or Chicka- maga, or Chattarooga, or Lookout Moun- tain, under the gallant Hooker, and above the clcuds. My words could never tell all the story of Gettysburg, or the Wilderness, or Winchester, or Cold Harbor, or Ander- sonville. “All the efforts of all the historians and speakers can never do full justice to the pitriotism end valcr of those men who left hcme and mother or wife and children and went to the front, many never to re- turn. “The tearful good-bye, the fond embrace ealled 75,000 men for three months, and later for 300,000 for three be prompt response was gratifying and the victories of our armies during the war made a record of which Iberty-loving must be proud; but the most iy event of all Prentiss, Logan, Bho man, Sherilan, Meade, Farragut and oth. rs, were grand and glorious, but none compare in everlasting luster with that crowning evént of the enemy's final sur- render, the successful termination of the bloody conflict, and an established victory for the right.” Ratitled to Care. “The sacred memory of the slain and de- parted heroes it is right and meet we should preserve, and in manner like this of today we ought to gather and recall aud re- count the past, refresh our recollections of the comrades who have gone before us and place a floral tribute at the spot where each one sleeps. “Blessed is he who really loves flowers,’ said Beecher, and I will pray that a blessing shall come to every person who contributes in any way toward these beautiful decorations, or the perpetuation of these memorial observances. “The widows and orphans cf our soldiers have made their sacrifices and are entitled to the care and solicitude of every com- munity in which they live, and the general government will be a stranger to its duty if it ever fails to make abundant provision for them, and the feeble and needy veteran, It is a credit to the generosity and justice of our people and our law makers that s' provisions as are seen about us here are made available for the disabled and de- crepit men who have served their country on land or sea. “Inspixation comes to me from the sights and surroundings of this occasion. In this city, the most beautiful in the world, and in this sequestered spot dedicated as a burial place for the brave dead, and the comfort of the gallant living, who ve fought for their country, we see an example of the tender solicitude of the law and the people for the old soldiers. May other institutions of this kind still be provided whenever needed, and may the soldiers and sailors and their widows and orphans never come to wat Bravery After speaking of the tributes paid in Venice to the memory of Daniel Manin, Mr. Tracy continued: “In like manner we observe this day set apart in honor of the dead and respect for the living heroes of war. We are on high and favored ground. The historic Poto- mac rolls at our feet; Wastington and Sheridan and Logan and thousands of ii- lustrious dead sleep beneath the shadow of the that majestic Capitol dome; but all grandeur and beauty lavish nature bestow—all the adornment and mag: cence that the handiwork of man can ere- ate—will never indicate so much greatness or reflect so much glory to @ country as the bravery and patriotism of her people, the character of her men. “Statesmen may revolutionize fallacies, generals make a nation tremble, orators bind a throng with the spell of euchant- ment, but the commoa people, the rank and file, determine its character, defend its statesmen and support iis orators. Wash- ington monument, massive and towering, fit’ memorial of him who, in the dying words of Madame de Stgel, loved hls God,. bis father and his country, has never wit nessed a scene half so striking and grand the march through our city in 1s65 of ( home-bound conquering army. We heap high the beautiful flowers, sing sweet the patriot strains. Let their frogrance and harmony blend in sweet unison till it mounts cven to the gates of heaven and we still to the soldier and sailor owe a debt of gratitude that can never be wholly paid. “On this occasion, and near the tomb of the gallant G Logan, we omit to pay especial tribute to his great- hess and to his memory. He was at the head of that powerful Army of the Ten- an officer devoted to his men and admired by them. He was a true Fatriot, a good campaigner, a victorion leader; he loved his country ‘and fought to save it; he was sincere, large-hearted, courageous, successful. Beautiful and appropriate final restin| place is this for General Logan, so neat the home of the soldiers, with’ some of whor. no doubt he served tal of the country he and they helped to save. His remains are enshrouded in the soil of his country’s capital and his mem- ory is enshrined in the hearts of his coun- try’s people. “We are proud of the past and hopeful of the future. We front the sun and on the purple ridges the virgin future lifts the veil of snow Look backward and an arch of splendor bridges the scenes of long ago. When “America” was sung by the Mozart d, and at the capi- Club many in the assemblage took up the tune with s id effect. ‘The benediction was pronounced by V: Re Thomas J. Conaty, rector of the Catholic University, after which taps, with drum accompani- ment, was rendered. At Logan's Tomb, Special services were then held at the tomb of General Logan, under the direc- tion of a subcommittee composed of th Logan Guard of Honor and a gemmittee from the Legion of Loyal Women. The Soldiers’ Home Band opened the s © by playing “Star of Hope.” The two orators at the tomb were Senator Masoy and Dr, J. F. Raub. The Greatest Vo In kis address at the tomb of General Logan, Dr. J. F. Raub spoke of General Logan as the greatest vo! teer soldier of the war. Dr. Raub drew an eloquent pic- tu of the conditions. “More than a third of a century ago, when the country was in profound pexce, mteer, when we were so far removed from the experience and passions of war that but litte thought was had of the axiom ‘In time of peace prepare for war,’ and the cther great truth, that the best prevenia- tive of war is to be prepared, beth on land and on sea, for a clash of arms, treason reared its unholy head and raised its un- kely hand against the flag of our country and defied the majesty of the law.” Dr. Raub toid of the firing on the flag, of the wave of indignation and the rush to a Continuing, he said: ‘onspicuous amongst the first to forget party strife and party disappoirtment,whosa soul was fired with love of country, with loyaliy to ihe old flag, with that patriotism that forgets self and all personal interests the nation is assailed, and to offer his sword and himself to his country was the gallant, the intrepid, the pure-hearied, noble John A. Logan. Amongst the first to cheer the heart of ‘Honest Abe Liacotn’ in response to his call for troops was hig erstwhile political antagenisi, Honest John A. Logan. “Patriotism, love of country, respect for law, obedience to constituted’ authorities, swayed the loyal sons of the republic, and a peer amongst these loyal sons stood the great exemplar of the volunteer soldiers, brave, true, intrepid John. A. Logan. “With one impulse, with one motive, with one resolve, the loyal sons abandoned the plow in the furrow, dropped the tools on the mechanic’s bench, laid aside the yard stick, and closed the schoo! and col- lege books, sprang to arms and threnged to the front, resolved that treason must be crus"rd, rebellion must be put down, thot cld ,lory shall float over every hamiet from Maine to California, from the lakes in the nerth to the gulf and the Rio Grande in defender of his rights, tne advocate of his cause, the beloved widow of the great leader, General Logan.” After an earnest tribute to the loyal men of the land, the speaker said: of privation and suffering, of weary march- and bloody battles, of wounds and dis- of starvation and the other horrors EH z