Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-06-04

O. onors to the Fallen Heroes-The Ger.
em0ntes at the Cemetery-LarEc Assem-
blRge of PeOplc.

a. onors to the Fallen Herocs--The Ger.
emonien at the Cemefery-Largo Assem-,
bisge of People.
Saturday was the day set apart for the decora.
ton OF the Graves Of the Union Dead throughout
the land. The day opened somewhat glooinily.
but the sun soon came ont and made Il one 81
the most pleasant days OF the season, thus afford
Ing most suspicious commencement to ono OF
the most beautiful and touching ceremonies ever
witnessed In our land, and ONE which we hope 10
see kept up from year to year.
The ceremonies here were under the auspices
OF the Posts OF the Grand Army of the Republic
OF this city, but thousands of citizens lent their
MD In providing flowers, &c, and manifested
their sympathy by their presence.
The main ceremonies took place In the South
west corner of tho Wilmington and Brandywinc
Cemetery, just in front of the long row OF SOL
Oilers graves. 1t was announced that the services
would commence ut o'clock, but for an hour or
so before that, Delaware Avenue was crowded by
long lines of people making their way there,
while the city passenger cars were crowded al
most to sufiocation. The people of sll ages,
sizes and colors gathered around the rough stand,
decorated with the torn and ehot-riddled flags of
the Delaware regiments, and draped In mourn
ing,-whlch had been erected for the accommoda-
ton Of the speakers. Among those present
were the children of the CLONE for Fr.endless
Children, large number of whom are soldiers
orphans. On the front of the stand was the In
scription "They bound the nation they un-
The graves in the old Swedes Church yard, and
other burial grounds, had been decorated earlier
Ia the afternoon and nj four O'clock the process
sion started from the barracks of the G. A. r., in
the Institute Building, in the following order.
i. Policemen. (who had also been sodiers) In
uniform. 2. Mount Vernon Cornet Band Color
ed. 3. Post Mol G. AR, 4. Post No. &c. A.
K. D. Post No. A g. A. r., (colored) All the
soldiers carried boqnets and wreaths of flowers.
On arriving at the Cemetery thegraves in what
Ia known aa fhs.f tS, ,lItnr,c
strewn with flowers, after which the procession
moved about amongst the many other graves of
soldiers, scattered here and there amongst the pri
vate lots covering all with their fragrant offerings
after which thty returned and took position In
front OF the stand. During the ceremony of
strewing the graves the band played solemn
and beautiful dead march, and the children of the
"Hoine" sang touching and pathetic funeral
hymn: Mayor Valentine, Commandant Of
Post No. 2, called the nsseinblage to order, and
Adjutant VIM II. Coward read Gen. Logall's Of
der, No. II, designating the 3Oth of May as a day
TO be observed throughout the United States In
decorating the graves of the Union dead.
Rev. Il. w. Folwcll then made an appropriate
prayer alter which the whole assemblage united
In singing the "Ariny Hymn" Eloquent and
touching addresses were then made by Rev. G.
ID. Shaw and Rev. Alfred Goodman, after which
the congregation united in singing the Doxology
and were dismissed with the Benedcton.
THUS ended the first observance of this most
beautiful ceremony which we hope will be kept
up from year to year, growing more joyful each
year as the memory of the bitter sorrow fades,
and that of the brave deeds of the heroes grow
brighter and brighter. As 1t was on Saturday,
the old and sacred sorrow still fingered, and from
behind many black vail Of mourning we heard
bitter sobs and saw falling tears, which were
even more beautiful tribute than the flowers
to the fallen and showed that their memories
were still fragrant IN the hearts Of their dearest
and best beloved, their mothers, wives and daugh-
tiers