Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1866-05-01
E- The remnants Of that brave and


anniversary dinner on the 23d of April.
1t was an occasion full Of interest as tend
ing to call up the mem cries of the past and
to rekindle at the shrine of affection the
holy fires of devotional regard for the he
roic dead.
We find in the columns Of those excel
lent papers-the Mobile Times and Mobile
Tribune-graphic description Of the pro
ceedings and ceremonies Of this anniver-
sary celebration, Col. Robert M. Sands,
who was former captain of the Cadets, was
in attendance. That brave and distin-
gushed officer is, we believe native Of
Baton Rouge. AT any rate, the days Of
his early boyhood were spent here, and
we knew him well and fondly "when we
we were boys together" His father, Cap
tain (afterward Major Sands, was highly
respected and meritorious officer of the
old United States Army, and did valorous
service in the famous campaigns of
the Black Hawk and Florida wars. Like
his worthy scion, he was true soldier,
and, as would naturally folio W, o true gen
tleman. His wife, whose m alden name
was Senec, was native either of Mobile
or Pensacola, we forget which, and was
one of the most magnificent looking wo
who while child was possessed Of rare
beauty, grew up to be young lady Of
great personal attractions.
Major Sands was stationed at this post
and lived here for many years with his
family. After his death his widow re-
moved to Mobile, at which place she had
large and highly respected circle Of friends
and relatives.
But, we are DEPRESSING widely from
our original purpose Of abiding to the
anniversary celebration of the Mobile Ca
dets-a company organized in peaceful
times and noted, during its years Of exist
ence before the war, for its respectability
Of character and elegance of display, but
more particularly distinguished for the
bravery and heroism displayed by it's mem
bers during the war-some forty Of whom
died on the field of battle.
An interesting and touching feature Of
the anniversary celebration, was the read
ing of an original poem on the occasion,
composed by Cadet, Erwin Ledyard, and
entitled "Mem cries of the Past" We ap-
pend the poem, believing that our readers
will think, with US, that it is really very
fine
The present ID not all our life
Upon this earthly sphere;
From madd -ning and exciting strife,
From disappoin tment drear;
From crushed designs, from bafiied schemes,
From hopes too wild TO last,
We turn TO welcome, midst our dreams,
The memory Of the Past
Comrades it was upon this day,
Five weary years ago,
We left our loved ones to obey
The call to meet the foe.
All well remembrance calls to mind
How tears flowing fast
No sadder scene we seek t& find
In memories of the Past.
But although full was each ones heart,
1t was no time to pause,
For we were called from home to part
In Duty's sacred cause;
And though that liberty We sought
Went down before the blast y
We still do not regret we fought
When we recall the Past.
Comrades tear for those who fell
In battle by our side,
Who loved this Southern land 50 well
That Tor its sake they died.
But better than to sadly weep,
We should, while lie shall last,
Their deeds, their words, their features keep
In memories Of the Past.
The memory ofthe Past i-how sweet
Its sounds upon the ear,
When In its voice v gladly greet
The tones Of those most deari
The we'll known face we seem to see,
Now smiling, now o'ercast;-
There's nothing in this world to me
Like memories Of the Past.
When Death has laid his Icy hand
Upon the form we love,
The soul that flies to the Spirit land
70 other realms above;
But though upon this earth bereft
While our short lives may last,
We still can have the dear ones left
In memories OF the Past.
That cause they loved like some poor barque,
Went down before the blast,
But they, Though all around was dark,
Knew no such word fail;
And some were lost when she, a wreck,
Lay drifting without mast,
And would not then desert her deck,
Because they loved the Past.
Then, comrades as we drop tear,
And mourn them early slaiH,
We still can have thought to cheer
Our loss has been their gain;
For they are free from earthly grief,
And cares that gather fast,
And though their bright career was brief,
1t was glorious Past.
THE CIvIL RIGHTS BILL IN A TENNESSEE
CoURT.-A negro, Robert Church, having
been prosecuted in the Criminal Court at
Memphis under law of the State confn-
ing license to keep billiard table to free
white men, the Civil Rights bill was
pleaded in bar, and the Court sustained
the plea on the ground that the State law
was in conflict, in relation to the case on
trial, with the law of Congress and to that