The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-06-02
Decoration Day in Rarenna.

MOnQaE was the Gay set apart all
over the country for the deeoFaf On of
the graves of the patfiotiss dead. 1t
was an event long to be remembered
by the people of Ravenna. The day
was beautiful and all nature seemed
to smile as if pleased with the tribute
that was being paid tothe memory of
our fallen heroes. A large crowd of
people were drawn together by the
occasion, and well were they repaid
for their loss of time in attending the
ceremonies.
The ceremonies were conducted ac-
cording to the programme mapped
out by the Committee of Arrange
ments, and nothing, SO far as we could
learn, occurred to mar the scene. L
The different divisions of the Deco
rating Committee formed in process
sion at the appointed time and place
and preceded by our Silver Cornet
Band, took up their line of march for
the city of the dead. The ladies and
gentlemen dressed in their holiday at
tire and covered with green wreaths
and flowers, presented a pleasant pic
ture to gaze upon, and as they filed
along the street it was subject of
general remark that more, beautiful
sight had never been witnessed in our
village.
Upon arriving at the cemetery they
proceeded to decorate the graves,
which was done in a manner that
spoke well for the taste of the ladies.
We noticed several unique and pleas
ing emblems placed upon the graves,
such as crosses, stars, sc. At one
grave we came suddenly upon small
cannon, covered with moss, and at an
other miniature Sibley. tent en-
twined with ivy, and we could but re-
mark, the fitness of the embIems, both
bringing strongly to mind the war in
which most of those whose graves
they dressed in flowers participated,
but so covered with. green as to re-
mind us that peace had again spread
her blessings over the land. "
After the decoration proper, the as
sembly were drawn together by the
sweet strain of a dirgc played by the
Band, and listened to an Grafton by
our fellow townsman, General Will
son, and the song "Washington's
Grave" sung by Messrs. Prentiss,
Oakley, Higley and Warren. The
crowd was then dismissed with ben
ediction by Rev. =. Davis.
The following is the address OF
Gen. Wilson:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN We are
assembled here to-day in the discharge
of duty-a most sacred duty-W hich
we owe to the memory of the gallant
men who gave their lives in defence
of the flag and Government of their
country.
And while it is most sacred and
solemn duty, there is beauty and
tenderness in the manner in which il
is being discharged, this beautiful
May day, by grateful people, which
speaks volumes for the noble impul-
ses and throbbings of the American
heart.
What spectacle more beautiful and
grand than that of nation of free
men gathered around the graves OF
the defenders of their iberty-kindly,
gently stPeWing the green mounds
with lovely f1owers-fragrant as il
were with the hallowed love and re-
spect of warm, throbbing, grateful
hearts. -. 's'A''
Methinks the idea of ceremony so
beautiful, so tender, so angelic in its
character, could only have originated
in Heaven or, if not in Heaven. in
the pure, gushing hearts of Colum-
bias fair daughters.
In looking over this assemblage to-
day, / recognize the countenances OF
several with whom l have had the
honor of sharing the pleasures, the
hardships and dangers of the camp,
the march, the bivouac, the battle
| field, as well as the 1oathesome prison.
And, comrades, let me say to you, that
we should feel proud to have suffered
yea, even to have died-in defence
of people who thus honor and re-
we're the memory of the men who
died that their country might live.
Comrades, to us, as we'll as to the
heroes who quietly sleep in this beau
tiful city of the dead, the conflict is
over, No more shall we wake to the
sound of the ReYeille, shrink at the
rattle of mnsketry at days early dawn
or start at the shrill shrek of the
shell as 1t goes crashing through the
4 air on its mission of death. The sharp
bngle call is with the echoes of the
past. Our battle flags are furled, and
the angel of peace has spread its white
wings over our beautiful land. To
some the war is already becoming 6
mere tra9ition=sa dream of dark and
/ fearful times. They are those whe
felt no sundering of kindred ties; nc
wrepching of the cords ofaafectior
which mad entWiled themselves sc
closely with the heart and life. They
are the. favored ones, however,
Around me to-day, are gathered the
widow and the orphan, the aged and
desolate parents, the fond and Loving
brother and sister, whose hearts are
HlA1Oh0 CFuSuCtl. Will IucIE great Sfl6
as their minds revert to the happy
days spent in the sweet companion
ship of husband, a father, a son, OF
a brother, who now sleeps the quie
sleep Of death. -s -~'a7'tas
To those, the bloody strife will evel
be a sad, stern reality, brought vivid
ly to memory each day as they gaz'
Upon the vacant ehair, or sigh for thi
endearing words of kindness phicl
once made home a place of joy anl
beauty, Time may blunt the poignan
edge of sorrow, and christianity MAJ
apply the. healing balm of resignation
, to their bleeding wounds, but forget
, fulness will never steep their souls il
its Lethean waters. So long as thos,
loving hearts throb, or these greer
mounds remain, viii the slnmberinl
heroes be remembered, and while "
plant the symbolic cross above thei
graves, We will wreathe itWith earth
Qorr,nre Al.