Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-02

the same time, upon the same day, at the
same sacred hour-ifyou please; every
where, throughout the broad limits OF our
land. with its "consecrated coronet
of sorrow" wherever dead hero
sleeps and tho foot Of woman can find
his resting place, arc laid by fair and
gentle hands these mute but eloquent
and expressive emblems of womanly de-
yotion. So let il be each returning spring
time forever.
But / forbear. Others far more gifted
than myself have been fifty chosen to
invest with all the charms Of oratory and
of song these heaven-s sanctioned cere.
monies. Theirs will be the task--and
right well do l know they will perform
tito touch with the tongue Of eloquence
and of truth, and with the inspiration,
too, Of celestial muse, the sad story OF
the past. To add another annual tribute,
as well TO the character, virtues and he
roism Of our living women, as 70. the
mournful yet undying memories OF our
dead soldiers-to kinde afresh upon the
unfading altar Of our hearts an eysr'iv-.
ing devotion to the spirit that animated
them. Soldiers they were-solid soldiers
all-who fell fighting for cause, though
lost, they thought was right, and fT
principles they deemed as undying and
eternal as the everlasting hills.
Buried upon thousand battle fields
and in the many silent cities of the dead
they lie No monumental marble, with
deeds emblazoned, lifted to the clouds,
to speak their glory as we'll as nations
gratitude and a nations grandeur, marks
their resting place or perpetuates their
memories. These, though, are enshrined
forever deep in the sacred citadel Of the
hearts of the millions for whom they
died. They will sleep on until the last
grand reveille ofrecorded time shall wake
them again and summon them from their
soldier graves unto the dread morning
OF the resurrection. r-l
Beneath tho dome Of skies and solemn woods
Rest, rest. 70 glorious brave.
"A happier age may bid the pile arise
With trophied symbol and with martial
| juster world adjudge to you the prize .
OF palm and plaudit in the lists OF fame"
1.-THE triumphs of right are transient
They pass away aud are forgotten. The
sufferings of right are craven deepest
in the chronicles of nations" l
will not, however, longer delay these
interesting proceedings in attempting by
any poor words of mine to anticipate in
the least what will be so much more
eloquently and appropriately said by the
chosen orators of the occasion; but have
the pleasure Of presenting to you one
whose name, wherever it is known, is the
very synonym of eloqu ence, the Hon.
Landon c. Haynes, who will first address
you. ,o4tt i-la4 tAte n fls.'
THE ODE.
Though Col. Haynes had been thus in
troduced, COL Avery, before that gentle
man arose, read the following ode, pre-
pared by Rev. Dr. Wheat
We come here to honor our Patriot dead,
Fresh blossoms and wreaths Ger their graves
to shed;
They have won the reward of the wide worlds
For they died in defense of their country's just
cause.
Wen cherish their mem'Iy; their brave deeds
overpowered by numbers, urconquered they
Not lost was their labor. not vsinly they died /;
| With glory. they're crowned, who by suffering
were tried.
| On. come. blessed day when our country again
| Reunited shall be-now. alas rent in twain.
| o Grd save the right make our Government
free
And well give with glad hearts all the glory 10
Thee.
These beautiful flowers are the EN- blems OF love,
For they tell of His care who still ruleth above.
If He so cares for these that but live for day,
Will He N NJ IN re- for us who shall live on Away
A bright beamng hope. too, they bring to the
With a nremise unfailing they come and depart;
In the dust awhile sleeping. through dark win
| ter hours, -,
They shall break forth in glery-and we like
the flowers.
Awake, then. and sing, ye that dwell in the
dust
When the Savior shall come. ye shall rise with
Our trust Is in God. in His mercy and grace.
| That with yeu we may all in Ohrist's Kingdom
have place.
COLONEL HAYNES GRAFTON.
At the close of Colonel Avery's read
ing Of the ode, Col. L. c. Haynes arose
and spoke as follows:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN The city
of Memphis has come to-day to the Gem
etery of Emwood behold in this vast
assembly the inhabitants of the city OF
the living standing within the solemn
precincts of the city of the dead
The beauty and the bloom of youth, the
fidelity of sacred friendship and the piety
of the pure and good the attainments OF
accomplished scholars the learning OF
distinguished lawyers and divines the
uentleness of fair women and the proud
honor of noble men, are the virtues and
the graces which distinguish the vast
multitude who have come hither, with
!. the choicest flowers of this genial cline
in their hands, and the warmest emotions
of Heaven in their hearts, to bestow theli
floral Offering on the tombs, and to pay
their dsvotions at the shr;nes of the ashes
of the glorious dead.
| What but the surviving affection OIL
widowhood for husbands who are nc
NOR what but the filial piety OF or
phar age for fathers lost in childhood
what but the tender recollections of sis
tiers for departed brothers-what but the
ardent attachments of fraternity for com
pauions slain in battle-what but the ir
repressible promptings of paternal love
for buried sons-what but the sacred anc
hallowed yearnings of materufy for los
cbildren-what but those emotions tina
have their sources in the sacred instinct,
Of nature, j n the domestic ties, aud in al
the charities ofblood and kindred, could
Rave brought together such vast multi
tnde at time so dark and gloomy IN on
history; at a Place so fraught with mel
ancholy recollections; and yet for pur'
pose so elevated, noble aud generousr
know that there are many who feel nj
sympathy with these solemn ceremonle'