The New York herald., 1869-05-31
Tho Graves Of tho U.ion Dea.i-Deceration
Day.

Tho Graves Of tho Union Dead-Decoration
The observance yesterday Of national me
'norsam celebration in honor of the dead OF
the Union army by the decoration OF their
graves with floral tributes inaugurated new
and ennobling era in the history OF the coun-
try, the annual recurrence of which will incite
the American people to deeds Of the most ele-
waited patriotism and be remembered by the
world, so long as history endures, in attesta-
ton OF the truth Of the grand poetic axiom,
that ''They never fail who die in great
cause" AT . moment when the existence Of
tho republic was imperilled almost to oblitera-
ton by rebellion at home and the encourage
ment and support afforded to the treason by
our enemies abroad, the deceased patriots
stepped from the professional chair, the work.
shop, the counting house, the plough and
spade, the crowbsr and the hod, and ''quickly
formed in the ranks of war;" leaving their
homes and families, at the call of the govern
ment, to fight for the preservation Of free
shelter for oppressed and Impoverished
peoples, and the security of homes and en-
ployment in the future for millions then
unborn. 1t does not require the ''storied urn'
to say how they fought. bled and triumphed;
the simple, elegant and silent tribute of
yesterday is far more eloquent, proclaiming
as it does the common valor of all, instead of
reciting the devotion or prowess of few.
Our complete report Of the scenes and ser
vices which took place in the more humble ru-
raj cemeteries as well as in the different burial
grounds situate near New York and the other
large cities, will be read with affectionate
attention and interest
Parents, widowed mothers, orphaned chill
dren, brothers and sisters, the more distant
relatives and sympathizing friends Of the dead,
turned out with universally which aggregated
the professions to very many thousands; yet
there was no repining at their domestic losses,
no expressions of regret at the soldier sacri-
fee, no grudging of the victims slain ON the
altar of the country it was garlands with an
evergreen hope, subdued grief mingled with
lofty pride, and a religious feeling guided by
faith not inferior to that which filed the heart
of Abraham when, with inspired belief in saliva
ton in the future he prepared to offer up the life
Of his beloved son In obedience to the Divine
will. The New York procession was really
fine affair." while the decorations of the graves
as conducted in Greenwood Cemetery, at
Cypress Hills, in the smaller rural cemeteries,
and in Trinity churchyard, by affectionate
volition of the military and people on their
return march up Broadway, was at once
elegant and affecting. The day was closed
appropriately in this city by the delivery
at the Academy of Music of what may be
termed in memoriam funeral Orations, spoken
in words of telling eloquence by Major General
Sickles and others before very crowded audi
ence. On such an occasion and during a mo-
ment of such solemn approach towards COM
plete national reunion we were panied to pub
lish in our columns yesterday the statement
that United States marines were detailed on
Saturday for duty in Arlington Heights church
yard, under orders to prevent the decoration
of the graves of the Confederate dead inferred
there. Is this really true The men on both
sides were born under one flag they spent
many year Of boyish sport in company; in
an unhappy moment they were estranged by
the Vaccinations of selfish politicians family
disunion, even to death, ensued but who at
tempts to continue this division after death
Did General Grant know of the order given to
the marines in Arlington?