The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1869-04-30
Gnmmamnration nav

commentator Day.
We violate an old established rule of
newspaper publishers in giving the follow
ing article place in our columns without
knowing the real name of the author; but
in consideration of the subject discussed,
we have thought proper to yield for once
Mr.. MCCoRD Il have read your sug-
gestions in regard to "Commemoration
Day" am glad you have called atten-
ton to this beautiful and touching obser-
vance, and hope all will feel it duty in
cumbent upon them, to visit this last home
of men on the appointed day for the deco
ration.
Come with me in spirit and let us walk
through the Getty of the Dead" and while
we stroll we will talk. Every inch of its
soil has become familiar to me-holy
ground. Let US not pause here by the
graves of the dead-friends and acquain-
tances, whose names and good deeds are
recorded upon the proud marble under
which they sleep, or pause to listen to the
sweet strains of the winged choiresters. +"
chirping their mathis, drawn hither by the
perfume of sweet flowers and the shade of
the rustling leaves of the dark magnolias
but let US move on to those lonely neglect
ed graves in an obscure corner of the Gem
etery-I believe, the portion intended for
paupers.
How quietl The breeze scarcely stirs
the blades of grass. 1t is with difficulty
we reach them the weeds are rank and
the briars unyielding See, here is a
sunken grave. Last year it had board
to designate the State, the regiment and the
name of him whose dust lies beneath
He fell near this spot. How proudly his
regiment moved across the fields; the mask
ed battery opened upon them and be yield
ed his soul in battle. Some where there was
a fond heart waiting. watching. praying
for his return
''Surely nothing dies but something mourns,''
but many loved and familiar face was
missing from the thinned ranks, when the
tents were folded and the homeward march
began.
Last year you and 1 met here with hun
dreds of others, to witness and take part
in entwining chaplets Of regrets around
the graves of our Southern brothers.
There were pyramids of flowers as beauti-
ful and fragrant as those which bloomed in
Eden, and chaplets of immoFtelles, and low
chants of sympathetic hearts.
''Bring flowers pale flowers, DER the bier to shed,
a crown for the brow of the early dead,''
l.
to US. Surely nothing that is or that can
be presented to US, conveys such lesson
as that one inculcated by sorrow.
This solemn adoring with flowers is a
beautiful custom and should be a mournful
pleasure yet, how painful was the scene
to many of our hearts here last April -
Bending the weeds and briars aside, and
scattering cloves last gift" into nameess
sunken graves. Many an eye glistened
with tears and many were the signs that
fell upon our ears, that memorable Sabbath
evening.
At every other point the Confederate
soldiers have been gathered together and
respect shown their dust and the cause
they represented. Shall we remain indif-
ferent and negleotful to this sacred duty
Soon the graves will be leveled and the
last mark obliterated. IT'S but "mockery"
to decorate them in their present condition.
Shall the slain heroes be gathered together?
Then come, and DER each buried head,
Our floral offering cast
Meet tribute to the gallant dead,
Who to their rest have fed"