Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-01

The commemorative ceremonies Nv the
National Cemetery, six miles from the
city, on the Memphis and Ohio railroad,
yesterday, were numerously attended,
six Or eight Thousand people probably
being present. The grounds, which were
so we'll laid off at frat, have been con.
sidersbly improved since last year. The
shrubbery has grown larger, and many
additions have been made. The dead Of
each State are grouped together, and the
representatives of the respective States
living 10 this city could be seen in their
own divisions, paying such floral
tributes as taste and respect die
tated. Before the exercises began, the
platform, upon which crowd had taken
seats, gave way and fell to the ground
with loud crash, followed by shrieks
and groans. A scene of confusion and
excitement followed, which lasted sew.
eral minutes. The wounded and bruised
persons were burriedly extricated, when
it was found that no one was seriously
injured, although many received slight
scratches and bruises. Judge Harry s.
Lee, President of the day, called the as
sembly to order about one o'clock, and
the Chaplain, Rev. Fl. ]. Rankin, offered
PRAYER. Speeches were made by Judge
Lee, Judge Pierce and DR.. A. I. Shaw
in good Christian spirit and excellent
style. At the conclusion Of Dr. Shaw's
address he read the following beautiful
piece of poetry:
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY. I
BY the flow Of the inland river.
Whence the fleets Of iron have fed.
Where the blades Of the grave grass culver,
Asleep are the ranks Of the dead. at
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day;
~ q Under the one, the Blue;
Under the other. the Gray. sa
These in the robings Of glory.
Those in the gloom OF defeat; .na
i All with the battle blood CORY, "a Hs
In the dusk of eternity meet.
Under the sod and the dew,l
e Waiting the judgment day;
Under the laurel. the Blue;
o Under the willow. the Gray.
'FRONT.' The silence of sorrowful hours
The desolate mOurners go,
Lovingly laden with flowers
Alike for the friends and the foe.
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day; aI
Under the roses, the Blue;
Under the lilies, the Gray.
So, with an equal splendor,. AA
The morning sun-rays fall.
With touch imp artially tender.
On the blossoms blooming for all.
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day;
Bordered with gold. the Blue;
a Mellowed with gold. the Gray.
80, when the summer calleth,
ON forest and field and grain,
With an equal murmur falleth
The cooling drip Of the rain ''H- te|
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the JUDGMENT day,
N Wet with rain, the Blue; ltA
Wet with rain, the Gray,
Sadly, but not with upbraiding.
The generous deed was done;
In the storm of the years now fading, la
No Drawer battle was won; Iaia al
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment days
Under the blossoms, the Blue;
i&& Under the garlands, the Gray.
No more shall the cry sever,
Or the winding rivers be red
They Danish our anger forever
When they laurel the graves our dead
'ai Unaer the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment dayt
Love and tears for the Blue,
Tears and love for the Gray.
This was followed by music from
Handwerker's excellent band which was
on hand all day, and then the con-
GLIDING prayer was offered by Rev. t. e.
Bliss. and the ceremonies closed.