The New York herald., 1869-06-01
Cypress Hills Cemetery.

The procession composed Of many wagons freight.
ed with owers and plants OF every description, and
hung with bunting draped with mourning, left the
headquarters OF the Grand Army OF the Republic
washington street, accompanied by military and
bands OF music, at half-past one O'Clock for the
Cypress Hills Cemetery. Here, after forming in the
usual manner about the graves,th ceremonies were
commenced. The Fort Hamilton Band performed q
drge, and the Choral Union sung hymns appropriate
10 the occasion. After which the Rev. DR.. +. An
drews said prayer, and Captain E. A. Parkinson
reclted the Lincoln Address. General 8. L. woodford
then came forward and spoke as foows;-
CITIZENS AND CoNRApEs:-Eight years ago, In the
sweet spring time shot in Charleston harbor
startled the nation isem It's long dream OF peace
shame. An indignant people sprang to arms and
civil war; with all Its untold horror and suffering,
gone n The war Which treason CONNIE sced liberty
ended. Standing beside our dead to-day we may
rev,--atly thank God that through all this mi.shy
land the snn.,s 81 or Gag falls neisher upon foe
nor slave. rour years AGO in TINS same spring ume
The banners OF the 'lost causer were furled; arms
were grounded; the Old nag OF Sumter went back in
pride and power TO its rightfnl place; and your
citizen soldiers came again TO the enjoyment
OF home and the industries OF peace.
But not until then had the nation known
al It, rSr IN s %'' or graves az Our ao
bless the God OF battles that red war had sheathed
the sword the last bolt le and saen n the the nations
best and purest. stricken by the assassin our good
and brave leader passed from the living TO join the
holy army OF the patriot dead, who died Tor liberty
and law. standing amid that shadowy host, he
pleads that the Good Father viii forgive our nation
all its wrong Bending from heaven, above US, az
we stand with our hands burdened with flowers and
our hearts chastened with tender memories, he
pleads with to be faithful and good citizens, TO be
chartsbcness, to guard our liberties with holy zeal,
and always to remember at how great cost the
nation kept those liberties In Its time OF agony.
Four years , Of returning, peace have come
gradually sunk to rest and where mad bulows
Of war dashed In fury, the wavelets now
plash gently on the beach, with murmurs OF music
aud sparkles Of beauty. Industry has resumed its
mn the siege guns at Vicksburn and WAGNER now
swings the ponderous hammer leeds the furnace
nre. The soldier on picket peers more through
rustng leaves TO discover the coming foe. No more
the fororn hope give one quck, short prayer to God
one heart bursting memory TO home and wife aud
child they grasp their ri1es and charge the con.
fronting batteries. No more s the marcy long and
weary. No more do the camp fires geam. No more
for us is the horror of battle No more the strange
ana AWFUL Joy OF victory. No more under the solemn
starlight do we seek our wounded or In silence bury
ouI oead. These heavens above US. so deep aud
ealm aud n'us with the innnltude OF God, these
drcd, the quiet homes and busy factories
o yonder mighty city OF the living the marble
crowned NIL sides and valleys OF this silent city OF
God IN loving mercy Keep this peace unbroken. And
now. IN the same spring time, we come with falrest
flowers and sweetest perfumes with tender recol.
lections and with loving words 10 strew the graves
once again we take the old touch OF elbowe as once
again we fall into place In the familiar lines ~ huo
recollection is busy hearts are fnl and speecb 10
dinlcun. We look mp and down the ranks ann
many ~ are our numbers today, not many VI these