New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-11-02
|ALL, SAINTS DAY.
Sacred Memory of the Dead.
SFREWING GRAVES WITH FLOWERS
vlslts to the. Cemeteries.
The People Bearing Wresths,

people vending their way to the numerous
cemeteries, nearly all bearing wreaths or
other embleps Of respect and affection for
the memory of the dead. +4 4
On that day the cemeteries are ,thronged
with the aged and the youthful, the rich and
the poor, the humble and the proud, who
drop tear on the graves of the dear friends
who have gone from the pleasant homes in
this world to the happier realms in eternity.
Scarcely tomb is neglected anywhere, aud
the numerous evidences that the dead are
remembered testify strongly in behalf of
that religious sentiment which prompts
almost the entire population of the Crescent
City to live one day for the dead. /
The grief Of those more recently be-
reavad moistened the cheeks with tears,
and many sat for hours at the graves Of
those whom they mourn.
In Northern cities this custom of annual
ly visiting the graves of the "Iloved ones
gone before y does not PREVAIL but the
cemeteries there may truly be designated
as beautiful cities of the dead, More taste
is displayed there than here. and more
beautiful and costly monuments mark the
resting places Of those who cease to exist
among the living. ...,+
Yesterday, among the multitudes who
thronged the cemeteries, there were no
exhibitions Of personal or political animos-
ity; no bold, bad men uttered oaths or
curses in those sacred walks; the voice of
strife was hushed, and all minds were con-
trolled by pure and holy impulses.
Where all the tombs, both of private
families and benevolent religious and
charitable associations, were 80 generally
decorated, there were but few so marked
as to command especial attention or re-
quire particular mention.
The cemeteries on Basin and Franklin
streets, and on Claiborne and Robertson
streets, were thronged from morning until
night, and the contributions at the gates
for the benefit of destitute orphan children
were very liberal.
From the rising to the setting of the sur,
and later than that in the evening, the cars
on the Canal street road were crowded
with people going to and returning from
the several Ridge Cemeteries. Cars were
taken from every line of the City Railroad
Company to convey the immense numbers
who manifested their reverence for the
dead in those cemeteries. Greenwood and
Cypress Grove, and Odd Fellows Rest
Cemeteries were most beautifully and ap-
propriately decorated.
The tomb of the Howard Association
and the tomb of the Portuguese Benevo-
lent Association and the Italian Benevolent
Association gave abundant evidence that
the members of these associations are ac-
tive in the performance of this annual
duty and pleasure of paying suitable trib-
ute TO the dead.
The Girod Cemetery, where have re-
posed the last earthly remains of several of
the always lamented General Cyrus Ham
lin, was visited by throngs of people.
A beautiful white bouquet was hung on
the grave of the lamented Dostie, in the
Girod cemetery, the tribute of the affection
and esteem of his friends. .-.~-. ~
Just at the setting of thesun, one of the
numerous colored benevolent associations
attended the body of one of its members in
procession to that cemetery, and as they
reached the tomb, sang hymns appropro-
pirate to the dead. aei ys. q.
The first ground, according to the Times,
known either to tradition or to the Oldest
| inhabitant as place of repose for the
dead, is that which was formerly attached to
the Ursulines Convent, and which extended
below the Cathedral and beyond Orleans
| This locality is still indicated by palm
| tree which rears its crest some thirty or
ferly feet from the ground, and stands
in lot which has long since been de-
voted to secular uses. With its half
withered, dropping foliage, naked trunk,
and the somewhat desolate character of the
neighborhood, the tree still retains fune-
real air. and forms altogether melancholy
landmark. Tradition states that beneath
this tree was buried the first of the lady
superiors of the Ursulines Convent.
| Our Oldest existing cemeteries do not
date back beyond the commencement of
the present century. Those attached to the
Cathedral (Which, itself, contains the re-
mains of several illustrious citizens of q
! former generation), undoubtedly rank in
point of age those of any other of cur
| places of interment. For all that
is left of the men of mark Of the olden time
one must here look. The list will include
the names of Lausst, the last French Gov
ernor; Claiborne, the first of the American
domination, and the well-known names of
Villere, Plsuche, Lacoste, The heroes of
Chalmette; the eentenarian NJ Inc, who
gave his name to the lake village; the
public-spirited Samuel ]. Peters, and of
Francis Xavier Martin, the occupant Of the
bench for thirty-one years. These cemeteries
are crowded with remarkable tombs-With
those of the Cassadores, the Portuguese Be-
nevoleut lsurmounted by statue of Si-
lence) and the Italian Society, with its
remarkable group of statuary. Ehis, with
its representation Of Italia crossed with a
turreted dildem, Of Religion presenting The
cross and sacrAmental cup, and Of mother
who clasps her children in her arms, is per
haps the most remarkable monument the
city contains. Here, also, are the French
the Spanish, the Lnsatanian and lberian
societies tombs.
i Altogether what With the names of BS'
relli, Cabailero, 6paHgenburg, Bonligoy
Blineau, CaFFieEe, Delaehalse, Forth
what With the titles Of complies and
eompiesses, the Eulalies, Stephanies
. Ssaures and otheFs Whs were doubt
J less celebrated beauties In their day