New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-31

WSAo luPOsstple. 1neu hOnOr and glory 1s
transcendcnt. We come rather to be re-
minded that we must live for the cause for
which they died. They gave up their lives
that the Union might not perish. Let us
see that they died not in vain, and in pass.
ing away ourselves let US leave as a dying
wish the charge to our children. These
fallen heroes fought the good battle against
slavery, whose policy was to teach that ig.
norance is the mother Of virtue and bond
age the basis of strength. If we forget to
struggle on, and perfect the work which
they began we are recreant to the cause in
whose behalf they fell. We are here met in
the midst of the scenes of the confict-in
the heart Of the South-which was saved to
the Union and regenerated by the sacrifice
OF these lives. Our people are kneeling to.
day along the northern lakes, upon the
shores of the Atlantic, and far inland at the
graves of those comrades who are buried
there. Let us, in unison with them, dedicate
our lives anew to our country and to the
work of Christian civilization.
General Hobart, of Wisconsin, one of the
members of the Army of the Gulf in 1862,
responded to the call of the chairman in a
short and effective speech, which we regret
our inability to present this morning.
At the request of the chairman Mayor
Heath then read the following description
of the cemetery:
Description of the Monument Cemetery.
Monument National Cemetery is situated
at Chalmette, in the parish of st. Bernard,
Louisiana; is six miles below the city of
New Orleans, and one mile below the United
States (JaCkson) barracks.
1t contains thirteen and third acres, was
purchased by the city of New Orleans from
its original owner, Mr.. Charles Resner, in
1871 and has ainPn ham co1ad hrrN Nba 81
to the United States.
It was commenced by Captain N. Con.
stable, Assistant Quartermaster, in Nav,
1864, and will probably be completed by the
latter end of the present summer.
1t has frontage of $50 feet on the Missis.
sippi river, and depth of 23l7 feet.
Young cedar, arbor vit@, and other trees
and shrubbery have been obtained with
some difficulty, and planted about half way
on each side Of the main avenue. The gov
ernment made no appropriation for the
purchase of shrubbeTy, and the only means
OF obtaining it was by procuring shrubs
and trees from the woods, and by donation.
The nrst plan has been carried out until
the supply is about exhausted, and a large
quantity is still required to beautify and
decorate the cemetery.
II the loyal citizens of Louisiana who are
known to have at heart the beautifying and
decorating of this cemetery, where SO many
brave defenders of the Union from almost
every State and territory therein are in.
TERED, would take into consideration the
great want of shrubbery for this purpose,
and furnish as much as possible, it would
be one of the most acceptable offerings in
the way of decoration, and it would besides
be lasting memorial of their generosity,
and would permanently beautify and deco.
rate the cemetery.
About IL, 900 bodies of deceased Union sol.
dinFS q nNU nj in SO s,t
which number about $500 are ''known, and
the remainder unknown About 1000
more bodies scattered over the Tecbe
country are yet to be removed and inferred
herein.
Fifteen thousand eight hui dred and eight
graves is the entire capacity of this ceme-
terry. There were formerly about 1000 bodies
of colored civilians inferred in 1t, but they
have all been removed to the Freedmen's
cemetery adjoining.
The ground on which we now stand, on
which this national cemetery is located, will
ever be memorable in the annals of the
country, it being the scene of General Jack.
sons greatest triumph, recorded in the
history of the United States as the "Battle
of New Orleans.n
Six hundred and eleven yards northwest
stands JacksOn's monument, from which
the cemetery derives its name, and eight
hundred and eighty yards east stands a
venerable live oak, under which General
Packenham lay mortally wounded during a
portion of that memorable engagement;
this incident gained it the cognomen of the
''Packenham Oak" and cannon balls are
still imbedded in its trunk.
The associations and memories connected
with this spot render it the best location
that could have been selected in the whole
Of Louisiana, for the ashes of our brave
dead who fell in the late rebellion probably
minnlns With that of tho harNac of
is replete with memories of selfsacrifce
and patriotism; the receptacle of the dust of
two generations of heroes; and every effort
has been made to render it worthy of the
holy purpose to which 1t has been conse-
Grated.
Captain Sheridan, one of the participators
in the struggle fer The Uhion, was then
called on, and responded as follows:
Speech OF Captain Sheridan.
So much has been said here to-day, and SO
well said, in praise of the silent battalions
of the Union whose green graves spread out
here before US, that to add anything of in
terest feel almost hopeless task. l hold,
in common with all here, and with the loyal
millions of the North, the memory of our
dead sacred, and the ground where
elsewhere, my tongue refuses to
keep silence when word is
asked of me in remembrance Of comrades
whose blood flowed freely that the flag we
loved might not go down in disaster and de-
feat, that the nation our fathers founded,
purified Of its great wrong against human.
ity, might endure for all aces to come, and
prove by its power and stability the falsity
OF all who say man is incapable of selfgov-
ernment. / believe that America is the
battle ground designed by God for the over
throw OF all forms of wrong and oppression.
land where the bzoadest liberty shall ex.
ist, the only test of mans right to citizen.
ship, loyalty to the government, a devotion
to his principles which tmpels him when
they are assailed to stand boldly forward,
and if need be, give up his life as freely as
the quiet sleepers around us Welded uD
theirs. Standing to-day in the presence of
our dead, memory is busy, and the
scenes Of the few years past.
crowd thick upon us. We live over
doing this we more fully realize the deep
seated love of country, the strong conviction
Of duty, and the lofty courage that animated
the soldiers of the Union when summoned
from their quiet homes by the thunder of
hostile guns they took up their line of
march, and never paused before the flag Of
rebellion went down before their advancing
columns. And who to day will say human.
ity did not breathe freer when the smoke of
the mighty conflict passed away, and their
straining eyes caught sight OF freedoms
flag waving over every foot of AmericaY
Thank God, We all in some capacity or
other helped on the grand struggle. Thank
God SO many Of us are permitted to come
here to-day, and pay tribute to the memory
OF our departed ones. come not sadly here
to-day, but rather with feeling of Joy
and pride. 1 am proud of the valor
which won for US to speak and act as men
wherever the flag of the republic floats;
proud that under this Southern sky, within