The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-06-05

the head and foot of the mound, where
sleep the unforgotten brave" The floral
tribute having been paid to the graves in
the Catholic cemetery, the line was again
formed and marched to the Methodist grave
yard, and the same beautiful tribute paid
to the memory of the soldiers whose re-
mains sleep there. The company next as
scmbled under large tree, near the grave
yard, and all joined in singing the 1031st
hymn in the NJ. T. Collection, followed by
prayer by Rev. B. f. Price. James 7.
Mccullough, Esq, made q brief address,
which he concluded by reading the follow
ing circular:
IN MEMORIAM.
"The 30th day of May proximo-a day
set apart by the Grand Army of the Re
public to commemorate the glorious deeds
of our departed comrades-will be observed
throughout the United States in such man.
ner as BELTS the solemnities of the occa-
sion, and as will testify the mdying love
of grateful people for the memory of
those who died that the nation might live
This is the second public observance of the
occasion, which. it is trusted, will recur,
yearly, while there remains heart loyal
to the cause i'll which our comrades fell:
and while the moving principle of that
struggle is worth preserving. If our or
ganization had no other object, that alone
of keeping green the resting place of our
nation defenders, by this annual comment
Grafton, would be motive enough to hold us
together in fratcrnal band The Com
! mander-i i'll Chief desires to thank those pa
trotic men and women who gave their aid
and sympathy on a former occasion to make
successful this national memorial day. and
they are cordially invited to unite with the
comrades of the Grand Army in the ap-
preaching ceremonies.
The following neat and appropriate ad-
dress was delivered by Rev. r. L. Poulson:
"True heroism is self-abnegation. 1t is
only when toll and sacrafice are inspired by
a desire to secure the happiness of others,
that these noble virtues attain their highest
FORMS and prove the title to heroic living.
The worlds heroes have not all stood on
the high cliffs of prominence before the
gaze of her admiring multitudes. Some of
this royal line have walked i'll unapplaudcd
silence, where the blaze of human glory
never rested on their barred brows
lie who plows and plants that others
may reap is of noble blood but he who
dies that nation may live, is made of the
stern stuff that ,irstifies the song that sings
lis deeds, and the wreathci marble that
marks the sacred spot where his ashes sleep.
| The toilsome march-the weary bivouac
the CHASTITY wounds-the patient suffer-
| ing-the noble death-of these. our COM
rades-werc all for you, grateful citizens.
mourning friends, weeping kindred,
GLOW eminently proper, therefore, that
! this annual holocaust-to enbalm with tears
and flowers the turfy sarcophagus in which
the soldier boy sleeps his last sleep.
"Death. thou art terrible. All we know,
or dream, or fear of agony, are thine,
But to the hero, when his sword,
Has won the battle for the free,
| Thy voice sounds like prophets word
And in its hollow tones are heard
The thanks of millions yet to be-
"To be sure they acere your SONS, and
brothers, and fathers, but they are
Freedoms aoc, and Fames:
Some of the few, the immortal names
That were not born to die
! This concluded the ceremony of decorat-
ing the graves of the soldiers who were
buried in the cemeteries of this town. The
day was excessively warm, and but few of
the citizens took an active part i'll the cere-
monies. This may be attributed to the
well-lnown constitutional repugnance OF
some to every species of physical exercise,
| the dislike on the part of others to do honor
| to the memory OF those brave men who
squelched the rebellion, and i'll doing which
quenched slavery also, and set the nation
| free. Those not included in these two
classes, can plead press of business
These are the very best apologies we can
make for our townsmen.
| The colored soldiers were not invited to
take part in the ceremonies on decoration
day, as they took their part in the bloody
fray. We presume some of their graves
are in this vicinity, which claim that honor
accorded to the patriot heroes, who died
that nation might live. This omission
occurred, we believe, ON account of ncgli-
gencc on the part of the Post, and also of
the surviving comrades of the colored sol
diers, and was regretted by members of the
Post, when the omission was brought to
| their notice.
| Several soldiers remains are deposited at
| Cherry Hill, which place was visited, in the
afternoon, and the customary floral tribute
laid upon their graves. AT the latter place.
the citizens of the village and neighbour
hood turned out generally to do honor to
the occasion. In this they cvinced COM
mendable patriotic respect for their fallen
| heroes. which was creditablc to their loyalty
On coming to the grave of Rev. Joseph 7.
| Brown, who died from the effects of star
vatiou i'll Libby Prison, an affective and
eloquent prayer was offered up by Rev. Mr.
| Bodinc, and when the floral wreath was
placed on the monument, there was not a
dry eye among all those present, as they
thought of the old patriot who gave his life
for his country. The grave of Major Ben
| Ricketts, was next adorned, in the usual
way, after which the other graves were Wis
tied and similarly decorated, when the as
sembly adjourned to a grove near by, and
after prayer by Rev Mr. Bodine, some ap-
propriate remarks, and the rules and orders
of the G. A. r. were read, by J. Z. Wilson,
Esq, which were followed by Rev. Mr..
Poulson, in one Of his usually eloquent
strains, concluded by the reading Of beau
tiful piece of poetry, written for the occa-
sion, during which all present were visibly
moved.
Thus ended the first ceremony of deco
rating the soldiers graves in this neigh
borhood. We hope that a year hence a
more general interest will be felt and taken
in this ceremony, which is a tribute to the
glorious cause for which the heroes laid
down their lives, for the dull ear of the
slccpers hear not the beat of the mulflcd
drum, OF the tread of comrades who bear