The New York herald., 1870-05-31

blem-that nag in whose defence these sleeping
heroes had 30 nobly and patri0tically fallen. on
bring nearer 70 their hearts this proud insignia Of
our national liberty. But few OF the graves have
Of our dead war heroes the unknown 1t
NJ 2 sweety peaceful resting place. and yes.
teraays gentle spring day. and the c6oris,er
iu melodles-a full chorus from the grand conserya-
tory or nature-and the fresh grown grass on tne
hfe and beauty and hope and renewed faith Of
the renewing spring. A calmly benign benedicuon
THE OPENING cEREMoNrALs. r
Fully twenty Thousand people were In attendance;
In the centre or the plot was erected tent covered
pendant nom thus roof q tent cloth After the dif
ferent posts had passed by the front OF the
tne Children o from ea Union Home % and school,
comprising the orphan children OF deceased soldiers
and sailors falling in the late war, We're ranged in
line Immediately in 'front.' the Governors Island band
playing dirge Next was sung by large choir OF
male and female singers "Gory to God" and sue
ceeding this Rev. W. H. Boole chaplain OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic, offered prayer
No. Fire Company, Of New York. marched on to
the ground in their red shirts, giving additional
picturesqueness to the surrounding scene. The
prayer ended-and most earnest and feeling
prayer IL was-the orphan children sung sin my
Home Above" which was most sweety and feelingly
sung.
SPEECH MAKING
Colonel A. J. Fl. Duganne now made brief speech,
but, briel though II Was, every sentence cleaned
with patriotic eloquence. The dead that lay about
them comprised roll of Christian heroes and he
urged that the cross OF prvate's knapsack was as
honorable as the cross OF MS Oiilcers' ana that
IN the great muster OF eternal life there Is no
difference In the shining uniforms OF corps or regi
ments. in reverentlal acknowledgment that there
was no distinction IN the grand army Of martyrs
they lay their nOra decorations upon the dust OF all
alike. He was interrupted with frequent applause.
General JOHN B. MCKEAN made the next and only
remaining speech that was delivered. His speech
was likewise a model OF brevlty well as q model
OF eloquent utterances. lie spoke to men with empty
sleeves, to men poised Oh crutches to men with
manned and Scared vsages. All these were
badges OF their Legion of Honor. He did
MOI come to speak OF such men as Generals
Baker, Wadsworth and Mcpherson, but OF the COM
mon soldier, and urged that the best way 10 show
their affection for these defenders Of the republic
was by taking care OF their orphan children. He
was likewise interrupted with repeated cheers
A song, ION Come all ye Faithril,n followed, after
which came the closing scenes Of the ceremonial,
SCATTERING FLOWERS UPON THE GRAVES.
There was some formality In doing this the last
sad, but pleasing part Of the days Ceremonial but
1t was quickly d0ne A dlrge was played, the
flowers were distributed and Scattered and then, as
silently as they came, but not sadly, the vast COM
pany separated.
Roses white and red,
Whose sweetness with the wind their fragrance shed,
And tremulous lily bells and jasmine blooms
Are there--holy offerings to the dead.
These and other flowers with their perfumes
Fill the air, and the tremuOus breeze
That gently kisses them sings old melodies.