Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-08
CONTEMPLATION.
Ten Thousand People at Elm.
WOod-.-Dec0ratiOn Of Con-
federate Graves.
Beautiful and Touching Ceremonies
-ProfasiOn of Rarest Flowers ON
the Consecrated HtlIOcks.
grafton by Hon. J. W. CIspp.
Reading of "a Poem and an Ode.
Full Description and Report OF the
Proceedings.

AT an early hour this morning q tide
of humanity, bent on mission at once
suggestive and touching, beautiful and
impressive, moved slowly toward Elm
wood Cemetery. There was no regular
order of march, nor glittering regalias,
nor triumphal banners = no martial
strains to inspire the throng. No national
hymn was sung to recount the valor of
successful or unsuccessful heroes. And
stranger unacquainted with cur Ian
guage would have seen no sign to indi-
cate the character of the occasion,
save spring fowers-the sweet types
of faith and purity. Soon after
the glorious gates of morning were
thrown open and ell nature smiled in
the radiant beams of the sun, the gates
of Elmwood opened and few sad pill
grims entered that beautiful city of the
dead. The birds were singing as sweetly
as on the first Sabbath after the creation,
when God commanded the world to rest.
The dewdrops sparkled, and the green
sward looked like carpet of velvet
spangled with silver aud gold. Tall trees
waved their strong branches, and pretty
shrubbery nodded in the freah morning
breeze. An hour later, and the few who
enjoyed the tranquil scene, and COM
muued almost alone with nature and the
dead, and natures God, were joined
by hundreds of others, who came
as noiselessly down the broad ave-
nues as drifting clouds, and with meek
faces and gentle hands placed their floral
offerings on the little noun ds Of the dead.
all nature seemed propitious, and more
beautiful day for the decoration of Con-
federsts graves could not have been Sc
lecled in the three hundred and sixty-fve,
OF the year.
The graves, about eight hundred in
number, look much the same as they did
last year. Some changes have taken
place. They bear the evidences of
woman's care and sympathetic nature,
which has crowned them with deeper
verdure. The obelisk in the center of
the Confederate division had been taste
fully wreathed with evergreens and flow
ers, crosses and immortelles. Some per-
son had put up sorry piece Of doggerel,
intended doubtless for poetry, over the
| signature "Secessia." 1t was in bad
taste and unfit for the place it oc-
cupied or to be Published. Bat
it was permitted to remain, and the
vanity of the author was perhaps graft
| fed. The decoration consisted simply
Of placing flowers on the graves. No spe-
ciaI order was observed. Every lady was
guided by her own taste. The distribu-
tons were nearly equal, though there
we're exceptions, and some of the graves
were most profusely adorned with oou-
queis and wreaths and crosses by spe-
| cial Trends OF the dead.
At half past eleven the regular pro-
ceedings began. The crowd present was
larger than last year, aud was estimated
at four or FIVE thousand in number.
The platform occupied the same place
as las. year, facing the Confederate hill
side, and seats had been provided to seat
several thousand persons. Mrs. Colonel
NJ. G. Galloway, the President of the
Association, was seated in front of the
platform. Captain Lenow, Mr.. Duke
Williams, Colonel Clapp and Captain
Anderson, and one or two others, had
seats on the speakers stand. The regu-
lar exercises of the day were opened with
prayer by Rev. W. NJ Patterson. Twas
delivered with great fervor and devotion,
and the vast assemblsge bowed their
heads with reverenlial air. The music
which was expected on the occasion was
not furnished, as the Sodality band found
it impossible to attend.
ORIGINAL ODE.
Capt. J. A. Anderson was then intro,
duced, and proceeded ia well modu-
lated voice to read the following original
ode, written for the occasion by Mics
Mary A. Mcintosh, of this city:
Within this hallowed rardep's fragrant bound
without martial note or sound Of woe.
I 30 frc - an h. f4onA
Who softly lie and sweetly sleep below.
The regal voice of Spring rings on the breeze
txultant leap the libe' ated stresms-
tender breath steals Fer the slumb ring earth
g And spring the gentle flowers from thei
, dreams.
8 Leap forth the leaves. the Blossoms. and tn
: Rssouna Flad notes Of music and Of mirth
And life. and lisht, and beauty breathe aroun
j As Spring doth call her lovely things to bir.h
I. Hstk, on the winds. as Spring her piniOn
sweep,
E There aosts. melhInls. sad and waiIin
tone.
J And Natprs's myriad voices echo son
e The gallsnt. cherished Youth. where nav
s they hoEng
Young Love i frozen in each youthful heart
y The Patriots ERE is quenehea in each briRt
D. eye
The strou rirht arm lies rervslsss on the clod-
= The feet are still that with the winds did vie
= The Fong Of bird and breeze thrills not the ear.
Tie kiss Of spring shakes not the marbl
broT;
u There Is no voice within the round Of earth
Il 70 break The silence deep that chains thel
- now.
y Yet ftry thoughts once coursed these L
/" breasts.
And glowing hopes burned bright within II