Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-05-31
Memorial Day In Isaleigh-Specch of Major
ScatOn Gales

LADIES Twelve months ago. this day,
animated by the same plous and patriotic
feeling that has brought you together this
evening, you separated from yonder Capt.
tol, in detached and mournful groups, to
seek out, and to crown with floral honors,
wherever found, the dispersed and isolated
spots where then repcacd the remains of
our cherished andi lcartyrcd heroes. Re-
turning from the holy ,nission--the pilgrim
age of love-with hearts saddened at the
thought that those who, for you and for all
that you held dear, and stood shoulder to
shoulder on the frightful front of battle
and of blood, should sleep in unmarked
widely scattered graves, you conceived the
touching design of collecting all that was
mortal of them i'll one consecrated spot
which it should be your loving care to
beautify and to adorn. 1t was Il conrep-
ton worthy the heart of woman-a purpose
meet for the descendants of her who was
last at the cross and earliest at the grave of
our crucitied Redeemer. Looking around
you this bright and balmy afternoon, from
this lofty eminence, upon the scenes of sad
but lovely charm by which we are sur
rounded, you may we'll feel grateful pride,
a holy satisfaction, in the contamination of
your labors and your hopes. Oh
-'' II chanted praise,
With all the world to istcn,--
If pride that svells peoples soul,
If fuemeus tie ars that 1llstcu.-
IF pilgrim shining lcve-lf grief.
Which nought may sOothe III sever
If these Cd91 COnseCrOte-THI SFOr
Is SACRED GROUND FOREVER
The day which you have selected, ladies',
for your votive anniversary, is appropriate
and suggestive. 1t can never be comment
Grated, III the recurring years, without re-
calling the memory of the sainted leader
the illustrious GOneWdH Of our taith-who,
OH just such beautiful evening as this,
four years ago this day, breathed out that
noble life, which was wreathed ali ever with
fame, and which had been one fervent, ear
nest aspiration for God and country
In all ages, and in all lands, the common:
Grafton of the virtues and the valor of the
brave, and reverentlal regard for patriot
ashes, have not only marked the refinement
of civilization, but have been a practice
and a sentiment even with the dwellers be-
meath barbaric skies. How high the duty,
priceless the privilege, how lovely and be
coming the custom, when the dead, the
noble dead, are our kindred and our friends,
the flower of our manhood and the very
mirror Of our Chivalry, when the cause for
which they yielded up their precious lives
was one which, whether right or wrong,
was inexpressibly dear to our hearts,-and
when, in defence of that cause, they did
deeds of valor and of high emprise that
have challenged the admiration of the
world, and will awake the applauding echoes
of history! The cause is gone;-the flag
which symbolized it, is folded up and laid
aside forever. We bow beneath the decree
of that providence which, however inscru.
| tably to finite vision, doeth all things we'll.
But, in our deep, deep trouble and sore
extremity, We feel more earnest affection
for surviving kindred, heartier love fol
the friends that are eft,-and oh we hug,
with an intenser fondness, to our bosoms,
the memories of those who died in our be-
half. We may not build for them lofty
monuments of marble or of bronze-for we
are poor; we may not celebrate their pro.
wess with pomp, with procession and with
pageantry, we are vanquished; we may
not make public demonstration of our sor
row or our gratitude, for that, perhaps
under the circumstances, would be unbe
coming; Bat, epitaphed in our hearts vii
live their memories, and our genial sunny
cline shall contribute its most lavish and