Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-05-13
FORMING THE LINE.

At 3 o'clock the crowd began to assem-
ble on Market street, Ne ar the intersections
of Third and Fourth streets, where the
Marshals were soon busily engaged in form
ing the line. This was accomplished rap
idly and without any confusion whatever;
and shortly after 3 O'Clock the procession
moved forward in the following order:
Col. VIM. L. DeRosset, Chief Marshal.
Cadets of Cape Fear Academy with ever
greens aud garlands on their pieces.
Carriage containing Gen. r. e. Colston
Orator of the Day. and Rev. Mr..
Hiden ana Rev. Mr. Bernheim,
Chapains.
Carriage containing Capt. John @. Braine.
Ladies OF the Memorial Association.
Choir.
Association of Officers of 81 n. 9. Regi-
ment.
Confederate Officers and Soldiers.
School Children, carrying garlands and
wfeaths.
Ladies bearing flowers.
Howard Relief Fire Engine Company,
Hook and Ladder Fire Company,
Steam Fire Engine No. John
L. Rankin Company.
Citizens.
AT THE ENCLOSURE.
On reaching the grounds the Cadets
formed in open order, allo wing the Orator,
C"aplains, Ladi5 AMI Choir to pass through
the gates of the Confederate Enclosure, after
which they themselves marched in and
were placed in position. There being
still more room within, ladies and gentle
men were admitted The exercises we're
opened by All Anthem by the Choir, Prof.
Grabau accompanying them on q Bur
dett organ, which had been placed
III position within the enclosure. At its
close, Rev. J. G. Hiden arose and fervent-
ly invoked the blessing Of Almighty God
upon tile offerings that would be made
there that day. A soft prelude then arose
from The instrument which was followed
by The singing by the choir Of the follow
ing exquisite lines, written by lady of
this city:
MEMORIAL sTANZAs.
Composed by q Lady Of Wilmington, N. c.,
10 be sung at tie AnnigerSary 1870.
Brave here together rest
Challenging worlds pplause,
soldiers who together fought
calling in one Common Cause.
Loyal hearts do homage here,
Revrent lips their story tell,
Who bravely went to battle field
Nobly fought, and nobly-felI.
Fell when hopes were high and strong;
Fell-when Southern Cause was dear;
FelI-when Southern hearts were glowing,
Knowing neither doubt nor fear.
Their hearts true, their honor blight.
They have never known defeat,
Nor have felt the tyrant's heel;
Their victory is all complete.
They have entered now their rcat,
Quiet rest which knows no end
Here woman weeps-here her prayers,
Like sweet incense doth ascend.
See on high the Starry Cross,
Lo the flag we loved is borne
Far beyond all human strife,
By the hands OF those We mourn!
At the close of the Hymn General Col
ston assembled the platform and delivered
the following address:
La1tes of Memorial dissertation and fellow
Citizens.
A benefcent Providence has mercifuIly decreed
that Time shall be the great healer and con-
soler of almost every form of human WOO. Five
years ago our land was still Keeling with the ca
lamities of war. The blood was hardly dry upon
the battle fields; the dead were not yet all buried;
the smouldering ruins were still smoking. and
the echoes of the closing cannonades had hardly
ceased to resound in our ears. All was desola-
ton in the present-dOubt and fear for the fu-
ture. So sudden and so complete had been our
fall, that we lay stunned beneath the or Lshing
blow. with no strength but to suffer; no energy
but to despair
Bat time rolled on and brought healing upon
his wings. The ruined homeeteads have been
rebuilt. The ploughshsre has TUNED up the soil
enriched by the slaughter OF war. The luxuriant
grass has covered up the graves of the fallen
Some years more, and few slight ridges il the
plain, few mutilated trunks in the forest, will
alone mark the spot where rose the bristling
forti1cations and the red nouthed artillery shot
out it's thunders.
And not in the material world alone has the
gentle Aand of lime closed the gaping wounds
of war. It has also poured its balm in our sor-
rowing hearts. 1t las Eoothed the lgony of re-
cent bereavement and defeat 1t has ehoYed US
that we have still a country to live for country
which, If we cannot-as we once fondiy hoped
raise 10 poyer and proud independence, we can
still love and reDd6r prosperous by the arts OF
peace, we made her illustriuus, even in defeat
by the fortitude of struggle. And now |
though many bitter things are still to be endured
A. rAnryn 81 Co., na4 IL L.