The New York Herald Newspaper, May 31, 1873, Page 9

DECORATION DAY. Decking the Graves of the Nation’s Gallant Dead with Evergreens and Flowers, THE OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY UNIVERSAL The Celebration in this City and Brooklyn. AT THE TOMB OF FARRAGUT. Scenes in Greenwood, Calvary, Cypress Hills and the Na- val Cemeteries. ORATIONS BY DISTINGUISHED ORATORS Procession of the Military and the Grand Army of the Republic. Washington Remembered and Lin- coln Honored. The Confederate Graves Beautified by the Hands of Love. Ceremonies in Washington and Other Cities. Decoration Day was probably more generally ob- served yesterday in this city than any previous celebration of a séte which must become more and more dear to every American's heart as time wears on. The morning opened fair and beautiiul, and ® pleasant breeze made altogether one of the moat delightfu days which have graced the city this year. That such a festival as this, commemorating as it does net only the deaths of hundreds of thousands of brave men who would, but for such an observance, fade away im dim memory, but the service they did their country, when such service was sorely needed, is eminentiy proper, has become a generally ac- knowledged fact. Outside of the private homage to, the brave dead which such an observance brings forth, the general decoration of the graves of the dead by the hands of their successors in arms 1s a touching and beautiful act, and one emi- nently necessity in such a community as oura, where more than in any other memory for past service is very short and the present is the all-ab- sorbing interest. Throughout the city at as early an hour as seven, Military coats were to be seen in profusion, their Wearers fresh and jaunty, as their accoutrements sparkled in the rays of the early morning sun. Union square and the streets cenverging therein were soon crowded by the assembling participants in and spectators of the pageant. Nine o’clock was the hour fixed for the assembiy, and many of the posts were forming in line of their respective divi- sions long before that hour. THE HEADQUARTERS of the Grand Army of the Republic, at No. 31 Union square, presented an extremely busy spectacle, with officers, aids and visitors bustling to and fro. Marshals on horseback galloped hither and thither, and appearances were decidedly martial. By half-past nine o’clock all the divisions were formed, prompt to time, and began to march into the square to form the pro- cessional column. The Lincoln and Washington Statues were both tastefully ornamented with flow- ers, the railed enclosure of the latter presenting the appearance ofa richly strewn flower bed. The Lin- coln statue was garlanded, and a wreath of leaves encircled the head of the bronze figure, Almost every building surrounding the square displayed the national colors at half-mast, and down Broad- ‘way along the line of march a similar public mark of respect for the occasion was generally notice- able. The assistants of the Floral Com- mittee were busy loading the wagons with flowers in pots and baskets, and by ten o’clock everything was in readiness for the march to the cemetery. The collection of flowers exceeded that of any previous year both as to quan- tity and variety, and was ample to en- able the committee to devote ail that was required to the sad and poetic duty that was to be performed. Just before the hour of marching the crowd in the square be- @ame very densé, and the police, consisting of a detail of 100 men from various precincts, under Captain Burden, were constantly basy in con- trolling the movements of the throng. THE SOLEMN MARCH commenced at ten minutes past ten o'clock, with the various posts, companies and bands in the fol- lowing order :— First Division—In gharge of Comrade Ira D. @ ET lerick Dauen- uteenth street, Whitman, assisted by Courd hayer, on the south sic it Testing om Broudway Department Commander State ol New York. 2. General Field and Staff OMecers of First dtvi- sion, N. G., S, N. Y., mounted, 8, Governor's Isiand Band. 4. Hawkiis Zouaves Veterans. 6. Company D, Sixth regimeut, N. G., 8. N, 6. Company A, Eighty-iourth regiment, 1. Veteran Guards, Captain Warfield, 8. Mayor and Common Council of the city of New York. 9. Catafalque. 10, Phil Kearny Post, No. 8. ll. Sedgwick Post, No. 11. SxooND Diviston—In charge of Comrade Theo- dore Smith, assisted by Comrade Joseph McDonald, on Sixteenth street, south side, right resting on Broadway. 1, Band of Koltes Post, No. 32. 2. German Veteran Singing Society, 8. Koltes Post, No. 32. 4. Sumner Post, No. 24. 6. James Miller Post, No. 76, 6. Dabigren Post, No. 113. 7. Farragut Post, No. 75. 8, E. A. Kimball Post, No. 100. Turrp Drvision—In charge of Comrade Anton Andessner, Assistant Marshal, assisted by Comrade Jacob Miller, on the south side of Fifteenth street, ba i: resting on Broadway. |. Fort Hamilton Band. 2 Cameron Post, No. 79. 3 James C, Rice Post, No. 29. 4 George H. Thomas Post, No. 102. Fourth Drvisrox—in charge of Comrade Richard Foiles, assistant marshal, assisted by Comrade John 8. Phillips, around Union square, right resi- — on Lincoln’s monument. Children of the Union Home and School for Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphans, in wagons. 2, Disabled veterans from Soldiers’ Retreat. 3. Teams and wagons, furnished by express and Manufacturing companies, with plants, flowers ‘and shrubs for decorating the graves. To say that there was anything imposing in the appearance of the procession would be at variance with the facts, for there was, considering the really military mature and origin of the ceremony, and the mili- tary +character of its participants, a de- sided lack of uniformity in it. There were in the ranks soldiers in uniform, and marshals and aids, mounted and on foot ,with nothing that was mill- tary about them, except their caps and histories. Then there were hundreds upon hundreds of men marching in the ranks of the various posts who had not @ single article of military insignia or attire about them, and there were women and children in carriages, and men in nondescript uniforms, The most noticeable features of tha oroceasion and Staff of the NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. of the Eighty-fourth regiment, & company of cored troops, the Veteran Guard, & few “Continentals,” the children of the Union Home and School, comprising nearly one hundred and twenty-five boys and sixty girls, or phans of soldiers killed in the war of the rebelliou, and the battle flags of various regiments, carried by the different posts of the Grand Army. The soldiers’ orphans presented an extremely pleasing appearance, the little girls being attired in white with gypsy hats, and the boys in a neat military uniform of gray with fatigue caps. They rode in five large wagons, decorated with the national colors. Among the battle flags were the old tattered and torn standards of the Forty-fitth, Forty-seventh, Filty-eighth and Sixty- eighth regiments of New York State volunteers, the staves of the Forty-seventh and Sixty-eighth being cut and shattered by bullets, Some of the fags were brown, dirty, fated shreds of silk, but a halo of glory seemed to surround them all, Con- Spicuous in a banner borne by Summer Post, G. A. R,, was the motto For our country then, For our comrades new, All along the route of the procession a vast con- course of people followed, and was gonsientty rein- forced irom the streets intersecting the line of march, When the column arrived at Trinity churchyard Post Phil. Kearney, No. 8, G. A. R., fled into the churehyard, and, preceded by the Rev. Horace B. Hitching and two choristers, marched around the rear of the church to the southwest ortion of the churchyard, where the vault i located in which rest the remains of Gen- eral Phihp Kearney. The vault is covered by a plain, time-worn, brown stone slab, bearing the inscription, “John Watts’ family vault, 1810." Mr. Watts was the father-in-law of General Kearney, The Post, numbering sixty-four Comrades, formed im a_ circle around the vault, and the clergyman read appropri- ate prayers, after which the grave was decorated with a few pots of flowers, The Post then reformed, and marched to the southern en- trance of the churchyard, near which is the tomb of the lamented Captain Lawrence (‘Don’t give up the ship”), of the frigate Chesapeake, and his tomb was also decorated, but with- out any special ceremonies, The Post then entered the churen, the organ pealing a funeral dirge, and formed in front of a tablet erected to the memory of Captain Percival Drayton, who was Chief of the Bureau of Navigation during the war, and who died in Washington August 4, 1869, Here the ceremony of decoration was again repeated, after which the Post filed out of the church and rejoined the procession on its way to the jerry. The processionists passed through State street to the South ierry, where boats were in the slips waiting to receive them, but the transfer of the column to the Brooklyn side was a rather slow and laborious undertaking.;No confusionjoccurred,, however, and in the course of three-quarters of an hour the whele procession had been borne across, amid the'booming of minute guns from the Gover- nor’s Island batteries, the crash of drums and the martial music of at least a dozen bards. . There was one jeature of the procession which seemed to mar ey the etfect of the whole, but it was a defect which it will take some years to avoid, Nearly all the wagons in which were borne flowers, maimed veterans and the orphans were business wagons be- longing to various sewing machine, soap manufacturing and express companies, Now, while it was unquestionably kind on the part of the proprietors of these vehicies to loan them as they did, in most cases, volunta- rily and gratuitously, it was difficult not to fancy that they had taken advantage of the occasion to “advertise” their business concerns by parece their finest painted vehicles and glossiest orsefiesh in a public display. Itiooked like “busi- ness” in @ quiet sort of way. The most noticeable wagon in the line was a large vehicle filled with flowers and vases and drawn by ten superbly har- nessed horses. The ‘“catafalque’ was @ rather cheap looking concern, evincing no artistic taste whatever, BROOKLYN’S OBSERVANCE OF DEC- @RATION DAY. Ceremonies at the Evergreens, Cypress Hills, Naval, Greenwood, Holy Cross, Calvary and Other Cemeteries. The beautiful custom, now legalized, of observing May 30 as one on which the memory of the soldiers and sailors who “died to preserve us a nation” shall be brought more strongly before the minds of the present generation as well as those who in future may enjoy the lasting benefits of a good gov- ernment, of ‘a Unien that none can sever,” was well observed in. Brooklyn yesterday. The streets bore a decidedly holiday aspect. The principal stores remained closed all day, while others put up their shutters after twelve M., and the clerks and proprietors made their way out to the cemeteries to give one day to meditation on mortality. The City Hall, County Court House and all the courts remained closed. Police and civil justice courts were the only halls of justice open. The United States Court ‘House was also shut up. Pestmaster Booth, in order to give the employés of that department, tour- fifths of whom are veterans (be it said to the credit of Mr. Booth), an opportunity to engage in the ceremonies attendant upon decorating tne graves of their fallen comrades, had a carriers’ delivery in the morning only, The office closed at half-past twelve. The flags of the city, as well as those of many private dwellings, were suspended at half- mast, The headquarters of the Grand Army of the Republic’s Committee of Arrangements over the Post Office, Washington street, was a scene of great activity throughout the entire forenoon. Here Captain W. H. Doty, Chairman of the Commit- tee, was perfectly deluged in floral centributions from generous and patriotic men and women, who fairly depleted the florists’ shops in every part of the city in purchasing fitting memorial spring tributes for the graves of the departed veterans. From an early hour ia the morning the cars lead- ing te the various cemeteries, especially the Green- wood line, were filled with people bearing flowers and plants, They were bound for the graveyards with @ quiet purpose of their own—i. ¢., bent upon discharging a labor of love to some departed dear one who feli fighting for the Union, and whose memory was still green in the hearts of the rela- tives. Many of these people said to themseives:— “It would not be proper to stand vy and look on while Strangers deeorate the grave of our dear one. The task shall first be ours; then let patriotism smile its floral tributes, but love’s hands should first fendie the greensward above the ashes of our gallant kinsman.” This sentiment is a unique and a growing one; and thus it was found that many mounds had been ornamented when the grand army of decorators made their rounds of the cemeteries. The public schoois being closed af- forded an opportunity to thousands ‘of the rising generation to ramble among the tombstones, read the inscriptions and witness the henors paid by their seniors to the memory of the patriot dead. Amor patrie was the lesson the schoolboys and girls learned in yesterday's observances. Surely the holiday was not misspent, nor can the lesson ever be forgotten, CEMETERY OF THE HOLY CROSS, FLATBUSH. The committee of arrangements appear to have been rather unfortunate in making their selection 0! “comrades” to perform the floral offices for. this place. Alarge and rare selection of flowers was contributed for the ornamentation of the graves of Brigadier General Mallon, Major John Suilivan, Colonel Johnson &@ host of other brave departed Brooklynites interred in the Ceme- tery of the Holy Cross. The sub-committee, whose duty it was to distribute these fowers, did not attend to the matter until late in the day, when they carted out the flowers to Flatbush, where the keeper of the cemetery was entrusted with them and requested to distribute them. There were many reiatives of departed veterans on the ground during the day, however, and these latter per- formed the decorations which the Grand Army boys had failed to do. CEMETERY OF THE EVERGREENS. This handsome burial ground, in which are in- terred several hundred Union dead, was visited by decorators under command of Louis W. Hamilton, Comrade of Post No. 82, G. A. R., shortly after noon. The organizations partiotpering wert Company K, Fourteenth regiment N. Y. $8. M. ; Co e y & ar ee regiment N. Y. iM. ast New York hiitzen corps; Sons 0 Herman, Sons of Liberty, Order of Seven Wise Men, Hari Kari Lodge, Turnverein, East New York Fire Department, Concordia Singing Society, Harmonic Singing Society, Kast New York Maennerchor. The organizations tormed in two ranks about the soldiers’ plot, which com- prises 112 lots, and is prettily located. A stirring address Wi delivered by Post Commander Broecher, A wrayer was then offered by the cha) lain, Rey. Mr. Dudiey, after which there was music by the Concvrdia Singing Soctety. The oration of the occasion wae by Mr. Charies R. Miller. The Maennerchor the displayed their vocal abilities, and ‘My Country 'tis of Thee’ was sung by all. The graves were then lavishly decorated, CYPRESS HILLS CRMRTERY. The se.vices here were very numerously at- tended notwithstanding the distance of the ceme- tery from the city, The procession from New York reached the foot of Atlantic street, by the South ferry boat, about twelve o’ciock and embarked on the cars for East New York. On ote the rendesvous they were joined by several Poste of the Williamsburg divisions. and moved off in regular order to the burying ground. Horo are buried im the soldiers’ plot 4,000 soldiers—about two hundred of whom are Con- iederate dead, who died while prisoners of war, A lofty fagstef floating the colors of the Union designates this resting place of the boys in b'ue and gray, and & one-armed veteran, appointed by the government, keeps guard over this lovely section of the cemetery, Eaco grave, Union and Gon- federate, was marked off early in the day by a small fag, which was planted at the head o1 the mounds to gulde the decorating detachments in the labor. It was hali-past one o'clock before the orator of the day, Rey. Noah Schenck, D. D., ascended the tem- porary platform erected for him at the foot of the declivity, avout which clustered the graves of the veterans. Dr. Schenck dwelt upon the “sweet- ness and glory of dying for one’s country,” and Said, “from the scenes before us lessous of worth may be learned. There is no place here for the bitterness of public or private feud; sorrow takes the place of wrath, and all is softness, sweet- ness and love, Let us here swear universal amnesty over these graves. Let religion lift up her head for peace. Let us now be done with war and with the passions which create it and are created by it.” General George W. Sharpe then superintended the decorating, after which the assemblage, numbering about ten thousand per- sons, dispersed, and Cypress Hills was leit to its wonted solitude, AT THR NAVAL CEMETERY, At this shady retreat, where sleep 300 gallant men who manned the “wooden walls’ of the nation and tell fighting for the hovor of the starry banner that was never struck to foe, the monies were of a highly impressive and appro}: ate order, About ten o’clock the decoration de- tachment of the Grand Army of the Republic, laden with flowers and plants and escorted by a com- pany of marines under command of a captain from the Flushing avenue barracks and the band of the Vermont, entered the cemetery grounds, The comrades of the posts then marched about beneath the shade or the great weeping willows which waved their drooping boughs under the gentie impetus of the breeze stirring, as though nodding an approval of the magnificent memorial thus ccle- brated by the living above the grassy mounds. The flowers were distributed with a liberal hand, after which a few remarks Suprontiase to the occasion were delivered by the chaplain, The firing party of the Marine guard fred a salute, and the com- mand, reforming, marched forth from the Naval Cemetery to a lively strain of music, which caused the hearts of the boys to swell with that pleasure ¢ |. Which ever animates the breast of the man who has performed a nobie act. Thas were honored the ashes of the sturdy mariners, officers and men, whose watch on the forecastle or the quarter deck is over, and who years ago passed away at the post of duty, in many instances unwept by relative or’ friend, A nation’s gratitude now steps forward to strew ubove the grave lowers which convey @ sentiment of aitec- tionate regard, to which in life how many of the poor sleepers Were total strangers, Thoaghts such ‘as these Will intrude themseives upon such an oc- casion, and are thereiore apropos, ‘THE CEREMONIRS AT GREENWOOD. This great city of the dead was thronged early in the forenoon, and long before the ceremonies attending the decorating of the zraves took piace. Extra cars were placed on all the lines running to the cemetery to provide for the extraordmary amount of travel. A delegation from Post Kim- ball, No, 100, G. A. K., visited the cemetery during the forenoon and placed upon the monuinent ov the grave of Colonel Kimball, their former com- mander, several large and beautitul wreaths, The grave itself was also literally covered with flowers, The graves of the deceased comrades, members of Post Hartford, No, 3, of New York, were also profusely decorated with floral ottermgs. ‘the various Brooklyn posts that visited Green- wood assembled at noon at the hail over the Post Oiice, in Washington street, and being joined by a corps ot marines from the Navy Yard, ander com- mand of Colonel Broome, the Marine Band and also members of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth regi- ments, proceeded by the Atiantie avenue and Filth avenue cars to the cemetery. Onthe way thither they met delegations irom New York posts, who proceeded with them to the graves. Colonel John Hall, of Brooklyn, had charge of the whole arrangements. ‘The soldiers’ piot, where the decorating services took place, is located in the northeastern part of the grounds, A stand for the speakers of the occasion had been erected, and in the immediate vicinity of 1t a large crowd of spectators assembled, A de- tachment of police, under Captain McKellar, of the Yourth avenue statiou, was in attendance to keep the plot clear during the decorating of the graves, This ceremony was performed as soon as the pro- cession arrived, The floral contributions were very large and filled several wagons, in which they were removed from the Washington street hail. Among the graves decorated was that of C. McKen- aie, a drummer boy, who was Killed at Annapolis, on the 11th of June, 1861, He was then but twelve years of age. There was no monument or slab over the grave, but at the head of it were the boy's drum (which was draped in mourning) and drum sticks and his cap. There was an inscription on the side of the aram setting forth the name, age and jate of the little teilow. At the conclusion of the decoration the crowd drew nearer the stand, and the oration of the day was delivered by Major Tanner, a battle-scarred veteran, who lost both of his legs at Gettysburg. The oration was an eloquent effort and was listened to throughout with deep interest. After its delivery the assemblage dis- persed and the veterans returned to the city. CALVARY AND LUTHERAN CEMETERIES. The Cent of decorating the graves of the soldiers buried in these cemeteries took place at an early hour yesterday morning. A delegation from one of the New York oats, together with anumber of persons who had friends buried in Calvary Cemetery, repaired to that cemetery, and, without ay | meaiaacaad ceremony, rendered their floral ribute. A deputation from Post Germaine Metternich visited the Lutheran Cemetery and strewed a quantity of flowers over the graves of the fallen heroes at that place. The Memorial Services at the Broklyn Academy. There was rather a slim attendance at the memorial services at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last night in honor of the Union dead. There was an admission [ee of fifty cents, and the proeeeds are to be given to the Union Home for Soldiers and Sailors. General Puitir 8. CROoKE made some intro- ductory remarks, saying that the day had been set apart by the will of the people to decorate the graves of those who fell upon the battle- fleld. Some were opposed to the ceremo- nies, but he considered them proper. ‘The war of this country was the war of the people, while the wars of other countries were those of kings. ‘The people were always ready to maintain the rights of their gov- ernment, The fact that we can maintain our- selves without an army, but have one spring up when necessary, had been fully aemonstrated. The Key. Dr. HALL, Rector of Holy Trinity, deliv- idress, in which he said that this day was now @ national holida: id it would tach our ris and rors that no single State can break this Jnion, which he believed would exist forever. Professor Homer i, SrRaGvE deliveredt he ora- tion, in which he detailed mdny scenes upon the battle fleld which came under his observation. He hoped that if there were any feelings of animosity at present between the people of the North and South the day would speedily come when all would be friendly, and the establishment of this day as a national holiday and its observance would do much to bring this about, The Rev. Father Malone, of St. Peter’s and St. Paul's Roman Catholic church, Eastern District, delivered an interesting address. A solo of “The Star Spangled Banner’ was ren- dered in an excellent manner. THE DAY IN WESTCHESTER. In Westchester county the ceremony of wreath- ing the graves of those who gave their lives ter the Union of all the States during the late war was touchingly carried out. A partial suspension of business was observed throughout many ef the towns and villages, while the glorious Stars and Stripes were liberally flung to the breeze. From an early hour in the morning people of ali ages and both sexes could be seen on the streets and roads, each one bear- ing a greater or less quantity of horticul- tural productions, culled by = affection’s hand, and destined to adorff the last earthly rest- ing place of some lost loved one. Judging by the earnestness and diligence evinced by nearly all classes in honoring and keeping green the mem- ories of those who fell in the late war, the custom is gaining in popularity as increasing years roll by. ‘The demonstration in Yonkers was more impos- ing than that witnessed in any other portion of the country. At one o’cioek a procession formed in Getty square, where a number of the civic authori- ties met, and were speedily augmented by the vari- vus local organizations, beth civil and military. The city of New York was also represented by the members of the James C. Rice Post, 29, G. A. Rey and Abraham Lincoln Post, No. 13. Tne members of Oliver Tilden Post, No. 96, of Morrisania, were also present, and, with Post Kitching, No. 60, of Yonkers, contributed, with their brethren, to worthily represent the Grand Army of the Re- public, About two o’clock the lengthy procession commenced 1t3 line of march through the principal streets of the city to St. John’s Ceme- tery. In front was a detachment of mounted péelice, in charge of Captain Mangin and Sergeant Austin. Immediately following were the musicians, who preceded immense floral car, drawn by four horses and taining & number of young girls attired in spotiess white. Behiad these were thousands of citizens in carriages and on foot. Arriving at the cemetery @ Sligut shewer fell, which, although marring the proceedings to some extent, did not, however, pre- vent the appointed programme trom being carried out, This consisted of an opening address by City Judge Baird and an oration by Rev. R. M. Strat- ton, after which the fleral offerings were tenderly oF ited on the graves of the dead soldiers. t Tarrytown & procession was formed under the auspices Of Post Acker, G. A. R., the cadets of the Jackson Military Institute acting as a guard of honor. Accompanied by many citizens these p! ceded in the alternoon to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where the arean maundg over the dead ‘was concerned, braves were strewn with lowers and appropriate addresses delivered by Rey. Dr. Todd and others. AT THE TOMB OF FARRAGUT. The Grave of the Great Nav Hero of the War Strown with the Garlands of Love. It {8 probable that the most imposing ceremony of yesterday, partaking as it did of all the glamour and stillness of early morn, was the affectionate tribute to the memory of the great naval hero who siceps his long, last sleep at Woodlawn Cemetery. There was s6 much in the time and place to im- press the visitor with the majesty of a greatness which is more imperishable than all monuments which can ve erected. ‘There was the awful solemnity of death, coutrasted with the visible tributes of the living, The thoughts stole on every person who stood around the little circular knoll in the gray of yester morn that the end of life was consignment to the tomb, The majesty of Death, which could claim for his own such @ great soul a8 Farragut’s, was vividly brought before the thoughts of every oue present. The Marine corps of the Brooklyn: Navy Yard were called from their barracks shortly after mid- night. Lights could be seen in all the windows, and the men were soon formed on the parade ground. Instead of any appearance of displeasure or expression of the unfairness attending a tiii- tary display over a navai hero, the men seemed glad that they had been selected for the duty, The battalion started from the parade ground at one o'clock and marched down to the Navy Yard wharf, where the steamer Harlem, or the Morrisania line, was already moored, The marines were under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Broome, and num- bered 125 men, The subordinate officers were Lieu- tenants Harrington, Meade, Wells and Spi Members trom Posts’ No. 4 and No, 10 of the Grand Army oi the Republic were also present, THE MORNING AIR WAS WARM and pleasant, and the gallant little steamer, with @ large number of citizens, in addition to the marines,’ steamed out about two o'clock, bound for Harlem. After an uneventful sail of about torty-five minutes the passengers disembarked at the bridge and.took a special train, there In wait- ing, for Woodlawn, It was exactly a quarter of four o’clock as the train halted at the station, The marines were at once formed into battalion and, with the large number of citizens, began their slow, solemn march up the hill side. There was no grand pageantry. There was no mimic sadness, Dut a staid and Solemn procession, bearing tokens of a nation’s remembrance of a heroic chieftain. & CEREMONIES AT THE GRAVE. Arriving at the grave it was found to be covered with many tokens 0: lamenting friends whe had led the hill in advance of the procession, as ous to be the first to pay their homage to buried greatness, The marines were drawn up on the mound, in the middie of which is the grave. ‘The little hillock 1s encircled by a narrow gravel walk, on the outside of which the great body of civilians gathered, Several men in citizens’ dress obtruded themselves upon those conducting the ceremonies to such a degree as to become abso- lutely obnoxious. The crowd of people who gath- ered around the grave—numbering fully four hundred—were orderly and respectful. The ceremonies were opened by the singing of “America,” in which all joined, Prayer was then offered by the Chaplain, Short orations were de- livered by the Hon, J. Taylor and Senator E, B. Hale, of New York. ‘The speeches were brief but worthy culogies o: Farragut’s career and his noble work in the great war for the Union. The name of the honored dead was referred to in words of the sincerest homage, and in this the speakers said that they only re-echoed a national feeling. The Hon. Mr. Hale referred to the presence of Colonel Broome on this occasion, and said thas the Colonel had been one of Admiral Farragut’s most trusted officers. Without partaking in any degree of the harangues usually delivered on such occ sions, Mr. Male’s oration was respectful, generous and soul atirring. At the conclusion of the oration the assembly sang “Praise God, {rom Whom All Blessings Flow.” ‘The voices rose clear and melodious on the morn- ing air anc were waited away down into the vailey. At this moment the sun rose, as by a sud- den movement, from the eastern horizon, and the morning, with all its brightening effects, dispelled the shades and shadows of dawn, The entire battalion of marines then advanced and fired three volleys of musketry over the grave, The flowers were then strewn by the ladies, the column reformed und the train conveyed the visitors to the boat., The Harlem returned With tue party to the Navy Yard at a little before seven o'clock. THE DAY ON STATEN ISLAND, ae Decoration Day was celebrated with more fervor yesterday by the Staten Islanders than on any pre- vious occasion. Business was suspended through- out every village in Richmond county, and the good people attended divine service both morning and evening, the churches being crowded on each occasion, The branch of the Grand Army of the Republic, together with several civic organiza- tions, paraded through the different villages, alter which they visited the St. Peter Cemetery at West New Brighton, the Woodiawn and a few others on the island, where flowers were strewn with tiny hands upon the sod wherein resteth the remains of the fallen heroes, The flags were dispiayed at half-inast during the day on the principal hotels and dwellings. THE DAY IN NEW JERSEY. Jersey City. All the pomp, ostentation and dispiay of pre- vious years were discarded in the decoration cere. monies at Jersey City yesterday. Committees of the Grand Army of the Republic were detailed to visit the cemeteries and lay the simple though beautiful offerings on the graves of the defenders of their country. Major McGrath ana Coroner Reinhardt rode along the line of the procession, which comprised a company of the Fourtn regiment, Taylor Zonaves, Hudson county artillery, the several Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, discharged sailors ana soldiers, orphans of soldiers and sailors, civic societies, fire companies and members of the city government. In the evening mortuary services were held at the Tabernacle, In some of the churches a discourse pertaining to the occasion was delivered last Sun- day. Kev. GB, Wilcox, at the Tabernacle, preached from the text “Thou hast increased the nation.” Rev. R. B. Yard deliveréd a discourse at the Hedding Methodist Episcopal charch, and Rev. Mr. Corde at the Baptist church, In Hoboken. ‘The interest manifesied in the due celebration of yesterday in Hoboken shows that the people of that district cherish no less veneration for the dead heroes of the struggle for the Union than other portions of our population. By two o'clock upwards of twenty carriages were lined in Hudson street, near Otto Cottage Garden, and the mem- bers of Post Wadsworth were in marching order. Following the hearse were coaches occupied by young school girls, robed in white ana bearing in their hands floral offerings to deck the graves of the slumbering warriors. Major Bayley Brown, Dr. Govle and Chaplain Thompson were the mos! preminent veterans in the ranks of the Grand Army. The procession was joined by coaches con- veying many of the city officials. Arrived at the Hoboken Cemetery the chapiain delivered an ora- tion eulegistic ef the men who had fought so well in the canse of the Union The Weehawken and Grove church graveyards were also visited, and everywhere a profusion of the choicest flowers was lJaid tenderly on the green hillock of each silent brave, to stretch their foliage heavenward and symbolize the resurrection of the patriot to the reward of his heroic labors. In Newark. The custom of visiting the graves of its heroes and observing other ceremonies in Newark is fast getting to be “more honored in the breach than the observance.” Yesterday the celebration was utter failure, so far as unijormity of jon in the so-called living patriots In the forenoon, before the sun had grown into ful power, the patriots ef Lincoln Post, Grand Army of the ‘wee ic, mainly officered and composed of federal State and city oficers, repaired in carriages to the ceme- teries and threw flowers on the graves of dead soldiers in doubie quick time. Colonel Ward and the other officers thought probably it might appear ostentatious (?) for them to parade in the aiter- noon during the rest of the day as beiore. In the aiternoon the other posts paraded and went through the programme as of old, but it was quite manifest that the beautiful idea of decorating the graves of the soldiers was fast being played out. Some patriots say, with old Polonias:— ‘Tis true, ’tis pity; And pity ‘tis ‘Us trae, In Paterson. Decoration Day was never before more generally observed in Paterson than it was yesterday, The Post Office and other public places were closed in the afternoon, and while several of the large manu. facturing egtablisninents were closed the entire day, more of them made @ half holiday for the benefit of theiy empioyés, Parates were made by the Farragut and Chaplain Butler Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, together with several companies of the Fire Department, several civic societies, the Irish Volunteers, &c, The entire afternoon was apent in the parading and the decoration of soldiers’ graves. Many fine floral tributes were made by the citizens. including one from Justice Brush of a live flowering plant for every soldier's grave tn the city, In the evening “bicipants in the observances anu (he lavited pible assembied at the Opera House, when there was instrumental music and camp-fire songs and everal addresses, the memorial speech being de- livered by John Y. Foster, of Newark. In Trenton. Decoration Day in. Trenton passed of without much pageantry or parade. The customary pro- cessions on such occasions were dispensed with. ‘The city wore its usual monotonous appearance, with the exception that a detail of Post No. 8, G. A. R., proceeded in carriages to the neighboring cemeteries and strewed the graves of the fallen heroes with bouquets and other floral offerings. At eight o’clock inthe evening memorial services were held in 'Yaylor Hall, presided over by Gov- ernor Parker, when adaresses were delivered by that functionary and afew others of lesser note. A band of ‘music was present, which, to- gether with some singing, reudered by the little ones of tne oldiers’ = Ohildren’s Home, made the ceremonies of a somewhat inter- esting Character, The Governor, in tis address, suggested the idea of having appropriations made by the proper authorities for the erection of small tombston over the graves of the deceased patriots, which he scid was much needed to point out where their hallowed remains lay. Those soldiers who left rich relatives and friends behind them were beflttingly remembered in this manner, but the poor kindred of others were unable, through their lack gf funds, to perpetuate the memory of their cherished iriends in this respect, As the cost ofa slab or stone would not exceed over twenty dollars, it will be seen at ence that the Governor's ideas, if acted on, would not entail much of an outlay. The custom of decorat- ing the graves with flowers is a good one, but as these mementoes wither away in a short time, would it not be more commendable to devote some ef the money lavished in this way to the purchase of a more lasting tribute of small stone monuments to the memory of the valiant de- fenders of the Stars and Stripes ? A collection tor the Post Charity Fund was taken up, and after benediction being given by Rev. Charles Keyser the meeting dissolved, & At Beverly. Impressive decoration services were held at Beverly. A procession was formed at the City Mall and marched to the National Cemetery,children bearing fags and floral offerings leading it. Prayer was given by the Rey. K. Walling and an oration by Mr, J. R, Freeze, of Trenton. “The Soldier's Grave” and the “Land We Love” were sung with touching effect. A brass band was in attendance, which added much to the solemnity of the occ: sion by mournful strains of music. There are about one hundred soldiers graves in this ceme- tery, and the fact that a State monument is about to be erected within the grounds, made the cere- monies of yesterday unusually interesting. An ap- propriation of $10,000 was made by the late Legis- lature of New Jersey lor the above object. The commissioners appointed by Governor Parker to superintend the erection of the monument are making rapid headway in the matter, and from present indications its eompletion will be sven effected. Ay eet Brilliant Scenes and Profuse Strowing of Flow- ers at Arlington—President Grant and Family Present at the Exercises and Contribute Floral Offerings—An Eloquent Address by Rev. De Witt Talmage, of Brooklyn. WASHINGTON, May 80, 1873. Fully ten thousand persons were on the ground at Arlington to-du), Three grand arches were erected in the rear of tife Lee mansion—one over the right, or south, entrance, another over the north entrance and a third over the centre, or main entrance. Each was lavishly trimmed with festoons of evergreens, flowers and mottoes, wrought in green. A special feature of the profuse decoration was wo large pyramids representing the different branches of the United States service, having for their most striking ornamentation mus- kets, sabres, swords, drums and other implements of modern warfare, the whole being surmounted with the Liberty Cap. The tomb of the unknown dead was festooned with flowers and evergreens from the base to the apex, and from the muzzle of each cannon surmounting it stringers of ever- greens twined down to the ground, The monu- ment was covered with American flags wrapped with evergreens, THE FRONT OF THE LEE MANSION was also ornamented—the eight massive columns being trimmed with tri-colored fabrics. Above the columns a festoon of American flags was ar- ranged, while in the centre was a large shield from which stringers of evergreens connected the columns. From the entrance to the amphitheatre wasaline of flags extending entirely around the grand stand and auditorium back to the starting point, and at each tree near thereto a shield was placed in position, The entrance gates were also arched with flags and evergreens. THE EXERCISKS OF THR DAY. The rostrum, capable of seating 300 persons, was uncomfortably crowded. Among the distinguished invited guests who participated in the exercises were :—President Grant, the heads of the various Executive departments and bureaus, Governor Cooke and the district officials, The Governor's mounted guard and grenadiers were present in full uniform. Rev. Dr. Tiffany opened witn a prayer. A chorus of 500 voices, comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, sung a national hymn, entitled, ‘To Thee, O Country!’ Aiter which was recited an original poem by Dr. E. A. Duncan, and the hymn of “Peace on Earth’ was sung by the Grand Army choir, and upon its con- clusion the orator of the day, Rev. T. De Witt Tal- mage, D. D.. delivered the following oration :— ADDRESS BY REV. T. DE WITT TALMAGE, OF BROOK- LYN. Frrenps of Those Wuo Diep ror Trem Countay—1 give you my right hand in sympathy, condolency and con gratilation. Assembled for the first time in this Memo- rial building, let_us, befere any other word be uttered, dedicate it to the holy purpose tor which it bas been erected. We consecrate it to the memory of the country’s martyrs and to the God of the soldier and the sailor, the God of the land and of the sea, the God of Gettysburg and South Mountain. ¥ fter year may itstand to show that they who suffered and died for their country shall pe held in everlasting remembrance, while the names of our enemies shall rot. On Arlington Heights to-day there are th jes assembled. The one {ya great host of sym- souls—your hands and eyes and lips all expres- sive of gratitude for what our departed brothers did for us in agony and tears and blood. If there be im all this audience @ soul so base as to feel no tenderness or thanks Jet him begone now and take his polluted foot out of holy dust. But hail all the sympathizers who have here to-day. Hail to the livi ery who haye com to look upon the resting place of their Comrades. “WAIL TO 7) cnier.”” * The second army on these Heights is the army of the dead—fifteen thousand. Walk softly about the place; they have gone into tent for the night, their head on pil” low of dust, their arms stacked, their march ended, their battle fought. Sleep on, great hort, til the morning strike through the rifts of the tent and the trumpet soun the revellle of the resurrection. The third army on Ar- Ington Heights ts the invisible host that hover above us— the immortals in ‘all grand and hol mi , ight, Blessed ‘be His glorious name forever. But why should we select these uraves for expecial honor? isolated or strange thing for men to die.in battle, At Chatons 300,000 men fell. Tn Morin’s army 290,000 men fell, Under Kengis Ghan, at Herat, 1,600,000 fell.’ At Neishar 1,747,000 tell. In oné campaign ‘of '5,000,000ynen were sacrificed, Think of the 120,000 that perished in the siege of Ostend; of 300,000 at Acre: of 1,100,000 dead at Jerusalem ; of 1,816,000 dead at Troy, and remember that the slain in battle, according to an'estimate founded upon A statement of Edmund Burke, have been many more times than the present population of the whole earth. When its so common thing to die in battle, why setect these graves with such specialty of reverence and affec- tion ? It is for the same reason that when a child takes ® handful of flowers out to Mount Auburn or Laurel Hill or Greenwood she puts it allon one grave in the fam- fly lot. You say, “Why not scatter them all aver the cemetery ?” She will tell you, ‘This is fater'a grave.” So, my friends, ARLINGTON 18 OUR FAMILY PLOT in the world’s great cemewry. The men who lie here went forth trom our homes. “The dreadful war proc mation came ont, Father came in from the Post Office and excitedly read it and said, “I wonder ifany ol our boys will have to go." ‘That very hight the sons came in from the fleld and sald, "Father, you are too old to go; you stay home and take care bi mother and we're of to. morrow morning tor the wars.” And then the song wend through the streets, “Father Abraham, we're coming, 300,000 strong.” Then there wore hasty farqwells—the putting uy of a few things ina package, with aMlaguerreo- Hi ‘The train halted atthe ‘village depot und there wasacrowd arsand the car window, and “three times thre were given tor anteers. Huzza! huzea! the battle came, and a yieek atter the long list ree A pathetic of the dead arrived at the Post OMice, ‘The father amid the crowd reading his newspaper, when spped as though he were Both boys were Rid now. iu that how sare hanging over ploture: t ung men i milityry hen “Deeoration Day? igh to go out to the tioned towers out of them around the pic: tures, or takes U om the wall and holds them in her lap. and fcndles and'kisses thei as only « broken- hearted nother knows low. But we come ov to look Alter their bodies w-day and put (wo wreath hoy’s mound--one for father and one for mot that on dew to-wight will fl thom with tears, Yes, family plot. There inno yower in grave dixger's spade to cut the bond betwe: 4 graves is an oath of loyalty and patriotism, them, we must love and defend the eause for which they eau ow you talk treason in (he presence ol & m ns sleep under the sod at Xpottaylvania Court House. Be caretul as to what you say against your governinent in the presence of the Widow Whise husband ‘ell in the tearrul charge at Ball's Bluff. Count the cost be- tore you insuit.the flag in the presence of the young man Whose father was starved to death in the pen at Salisbury. Malign your country the presence that old man whose home wi Lo oo og by , ‘war; the biood will corue to his goleriess cheek an fire Wo the lustreloss eve and the strength ty his shalt fostine alt consuming power ofae wiiuscuaee thie - no Gon, with tts hand ow Patents sYatty i hand om the brow of its slain iathors WORN BEFORE HGH HKAVEN for which these men wore martyred raves. In some places, demagogues have thud to ake canltat man ch gatherings, but | do not believe in bartering, the bones of our ‘country's martyrs. Th enough Work. “Let them sleep ou Unt the Lest ane wets them. Let nothing be done to stir up the old feud bet nthe North and the South. Surcly there has beow blood enough shed and groans enouzh have beon uttered families enough destroyed to satisiy the. worms on earth and the ww demon’ im the pit; holocaust of | the dead any hand, North or South, shall ever be lifted to tear Jown a peace established at so much sacrifice, may that hand (urn white with the snow of an incurable leprosy. Instead of flowers upon such a villain's grave let the whole nation come and fling a mountain of nettles and nightshade. Tam told shat alter 4 Southern woman had decorated the grave of a Southern soldier a. Northerm, mai ating a uniferm, took up the Wreath and tore It to pieces and threw it to the winds, He may have had on the epaulettes, but he was not worthy the nume of soldier. 1 would that all the wreaths that have ever been Tat upon the graves of the Northern and Southern dead might be litted and linked together, each garland & link, and that, with that one long, brightapleasant chain, ‘2s CHAIN OF Koss AND Litt, this whole nation might be encircled in everlasting unity and good fooling. This ts the only kind of chain -Ame cans will ever consent to wear, and woe tothe govern. mint that ever triesio forge another. And now, on of May, lift up vour eyes and see in all our ies, from San Francisco to Canada, the whole ‘ing with garlands. They come trom North and South, and Kast and West. The drums heat the grand march and the minute guns are the heart throbs of the guution’s sympathy. ‘They come with flowers w= wreaths—those are suggestive of the conqueror—and flowers in croses—they tell of sorrows that were borne. Flowers white—signifieant — of victory, But there are also flowers = erlmgon and red—the planted at Antic Bhiioh and i nevis in Sranahes am with the tron rake of bate, putting tor r firey bloom to-d: T ve ood spilled i cative of the Di illed, the ruddy flash of the musketry. The superstition atraid of graveyards by night, but [ think the ‘most timid child would not be afraid to walk to-night at twelve o'clock in any of our cemeteries, $9 fragrant are thoy. But some of the soldiers’ graves will be missed to-day, notwithstanding 120% hands have been busy stripping gardens and hot houses tor the magnificent offering 5, #0 bring three or tour garlands of my own. The firat Tbe down into the rivers and seas above the coral pillow those whose bodies have never been found. foll trom the gunboats und fire rafts, They drovy from their cavalry horses crossing the Potomac. They went down 1m the storm off Cape Hatteras, They were shot down trom the ship's rhrging going into New Ore leans, They never came home. ‘They were buried with. outshroud Or funeral psalm—the hoarse thunder battle their only litany, There is nothing more delicate than the sarcophagus of coral in which they rest, er more beautiful than the seaweed that, lies abo lowly pillow. But that Is not enough. ‘They shall not missed today, With loving hands we let down into the wave this garland of our gtfection and gratitude, com- mending their bodies to Him at whose command the see shall give up its dead. ANOTHER GARLAND, ‘The most suggestive inscription above thousands burie@ in these national cemeteries is the word “Unknown.’? ir names have been lost. Unknown, tho mother and wite and child waited ‘to Unknown, though they gave thelr lt untry. Unknown to man, but to. h made record ot all their wounds and tears a sacrifice, ‘Their yraves have not been forgotten to day. The hand ot the xovernment they died 1 save Bas strewn those graves. But let us go along by the swat of the Chickuhominy and through the Wilderness, along by the Western rivers and Jungles where men'd and received a hasty burial—perhaps no burial at all. for G No one to close the eyes; no one to hold the dying hand; no one to take the farewell message. Unknewn! Letus search him out, find him to-day and ery, “Hail, rest- ing place-of the patriot dead. ‘The ‘garland of a nation’s thanks we place upon thy tomb.” WEY WITH A NATION'S TEARS, Another garland we put upon the graves of the women who died in the service of the sick and wounded soldiers. Let not their graves be missed to-day. I mean the wo- men who did practical work among the suffering sol- diery ; not such work as the woman pertorined who in @ hospital gave tract on the sin of dancing (oa man both of whose legs had been amputated, but practical, com- mon xense work, t would these brave fellows hava dlone in the last hour it, the women had not come into en the the time comes for may humbte Took to di die at home. bo very and the faces in on us may be very plain; but who cares for that? Loving hands to bathe the brow. Loving lips to read proniises. But. these “boys In blue” were dying awa: From home, andwhat would have become of them had nol women, in the name of Christ, bent over their couch inthe hospitals? Men torged the cannon; men fashioned. the muskewry; men mounted the guns; men unllmbered the batteries; men lified the wounded into the ambu- lances, but women scraped the lint; women admit tered the cordial; women watched the dying pillows women wrote the last message to the home circle; women wept at the solitary burial, attended only by her- self and four men with @ spat MINISTERING ANGELS. The story can never be fully told omoarth of Mary Brady among the sick at Chickahommy; of Anna Rose at Cooper Shop Hospital; of Mrs. Ricketts at Bull Rum; of Margaret Meckenudge, coming to men who had for three weeks laid on their one side, part of the time frozem totheearth, When she turned ‘them, all who had s whole arm left waved it and hurrahed until the air rang again, Or of Mrs. Hoge, coming down trom Chi with blankets and pillows and sheets, and stores, uni the men cried, “Three cheers for the Sanitary Cotnmis- sion! God bless the women at home!” and then sitting down at the sick pill hear the dying message and write it or not to fre about me; we shall im in) heaven. Telb t her it was all right that came. Tell her to train the wo little boys we love so well to go to heaven with us, and tell her to bear my low like @ soldier's wife and Christian.” Or the story of good Mrs. Shelton, into whose fice the convalescent soldier looked when she sald, “Are you up?” and Yes; and Cologne did the business tormé!” Men did the work with shot and [ltt eH howt and y are never sick. i ide did youtght on? To what regiment do you belong?” Women inquired, “Where are you hurtt What nice thing can I make for you to cat? ‘WHAT MAKES YOU ORY.”” Some of these women tor whom I have twisted the gariand may be living yet. If xo, they have had the pleasure of hearing their own obituary, and well know how beautifully we will make the ground blossom above them when thoy really get under it, I bring another garland. Letit be of the richest and most aromatic flowers. Lot there be in it amaranthe and green branches. Let it be brighter than an; laced on the brow of Roman conqueror. and we will place it, not on the graves of the dead, but on the brows of the living soldiers and sailors—the ‘Grand Army of public. tis high time in this country that we sto} postponing until alter death the praise we owe men w! they are living. We canuot pay you for the privations suffered tor the arm that was shattered or the eye was put out or the health that was lost; but we shall mot forget your sacrifices because you have put off your umi- forin. “Loffer you everlasting thanks in the name of @ Union restored, of a government re-established and race redeemed from servitade, so that from the time the sun rises on the eastern coast until it sets behind the Serra Nevadas its burning eve cannot discern a single slave. Thank God that in all the land all are tree and eq al, with the determination, by the help of God and our own rightarm, of always being free. RUT THE BRIGHTEST FLOWERS that are put on the graves to-day will Ina little while. witier, The petals will scatter. and even the “everiaat- ings” will be dimmed, so that it the nation has nothi Lit flowers to bring as offerings, she might as well pu her hand on her mouth and hide her head. We wants Wreaih of five-doliar bills large enough to enctrote all the soldiers’ homes and asylums in the country, Look upon. Uiese orphans to-day, ye who have hearts to pity and hands to help. “Lord God, who seest orphans’ midnight villow, and who hath helped widow wateb her children since ther main sup- port has been gone, look upon these little ones. Be ord “Almtehts didst — unsheathe sword trom the scabbard et cloud on Lookout Mountain, we cry w Thee that Thou wilt wipe away the tears of orphanage and widowhood. Itis not so much poses they want as bread. It is high time that it ceased to be necessary that the man who lost an arm or a leg im fighti hould have to grind hand-organs om nd that the women whose husbands tle at the pomt of the sword the point of the needle. Let the dead soldiers and sail- ors be the pets of nation, and in first rate schools taught the story of Nathaniel Lyon, in whose last bayonet charge their fathers perished ; and of Ander- son, under whom their fathers tought until they were smothered in the casements; and of Farragut, under whom their fathers stood when upon water and sky and ship burst the blaze of battle. Yea, teach all our children. these lessons, and what Marathon was to the Greeks by” way of inspiration let Malvern Hill and shiloh and Fors Donelson be to our children. When we are trying toim- press upon them what the redemption of the country Cost and we fail to recall hundreds of the brave men who perished for the land, let us take two names ae suggestive of all the rest, both of them martyrs—the perishing at the begian! nd the other at tl TWO NAMES EVER DEAN TO AMKICAN WXA\ two names never to die—Ellsworth the first and Abraham ineoln the 4 In all time to come let this Memorial Day be kept. Strew flowers on all the martyrs’ graves. Strew them.om the heads that ached and over the hearts that bled and over the feet that bligtered throng of departed heroes! this perfume of a nation’s thi this nation’s love. shout of a nat mp redemption. War itself shall be buried—the grim old breaker of Carry him out on an old, rusty shield. Let down his mis erable carcase in the most desolate Cs of all the earth. Bury his sword with him, Heap on him a gravestone of broken chariot wheels. Let widows and orphans ola their hands, and the winds howl for his requiem, “This the second death.”? “Thus shall our nation’s song ascend, To Thee our Ruler, Father, Friend; we heaven’s high arch tepunnds agattiy vith peace on earth, good will to men. niga nanzaueh stata Stee “pas ae h God, I pronounce the Christ zens and sollte sO ee = beloved ae rate ond bi ssociates, all this august asso! 3 At us for the day when these dead Mall rise and the arene ‘Angel, with oneé toot on the sea and the other on the shall swear by Him that liveth torever aud ever time shall be no longer. A male chorus sung a musical selection from “Comrades in Arms,"’ followed. by an imstrumentab ‘production by the Marine Band, whick terminated the services at the rostrum and amphitheatre. Upon the completion of the exercises at the staad the orphans ana such others as could find accersi- ble standing room near the granite monument pro- ceeded to THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN DEAD. The exercises opened with the national anthem, “God Save the Union,’ by the Grand Army Choir, after which Rev. John @hester offered a prayer. A body of orphans, from.the National Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, under the charge of the managers and officers. of the Home, then sang wi impressive. sweetness a hymn entitied, “soldi Memorial Day,” after which an original poem, “Unknown,” was recited by Comrade J. P. Irvine. a the oe of the afternoon the graves were strewn Wi lowers. ne President and family took with them to Arlingten a large basket of the chelcest flowers as @ contribution to the decoration, The exercisea closed with the singing of the Americay hymn, “My Country, 'Tis of Thee,” with an arehestral ‘accompaniment by the full Marine ise of DECORATIONS ELSEWHERE. The Day in Poughkeepsie. POUGHKEEPSIE, May 30, 1873. Decoration Day was observed here by @ parade oF all the Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, Odd Fellows and American Mechanics. Prayer was offered by Rev. J. ©. Beecher, and an oration de livered by Mr, B, Platt Gerpeuter, Places of busie