The New York herald., 1870-05-31
OBSERVANCE OF TIE DAY in WASHINGTON.

A Holiday mt the Capital-Large Crowd at
Arlington Address by General Logan
Decoration Of the Graves The Arrange.
ments all Admirable.
WASHINGTON, May 80, 1870.
The city to-day wore the appearance Of general
holiday. Congress was not in session. all the gov
ernment departments were closed, and compare.
lively little secular business was transacted,
All the available vehicles were in motion during
the forenoon, with passengers. male and female, OF
all ages, on the way to Arlington, the street and
omnIbuses particularly carrying the largest number
Some of the carriages were trimmed with pinla-
ture nags. Besides, wagon loads OF MOWERS and
evergreens in the form OF wreaths and bouquets left
point.
lected on the grounds of the Soldiers Cemetery and
the number was increased from time to time by fresh
arrivals. The arrangements were more perfect and
elaborate than heretofore, under the authority OF the
Transportation Committee and the Executive Com
mttee of the Grand Army Of the Republic. the latter
having charge OF the decoration ceremonies at tue
graves.
The ceremonies at Arlington commenced at one
oock when zen gs 81 saene
near the cemetery. The Marine Band, which was
stationed on large stand erected Tor the music,
near the main stand, then performed the solemn
dirge Arlington" written for the occasion by
Mr.. Henry Fries. The assemblage was then called
to order at the main stand, which was filled with
distinguished visitors, who were admitted thereto
by tickets and the space in front was filed with per-
sons for whom seats mad been
called the assemblage to Order. After prayer by
Rev. DR.. Newman the grand chorus, consisting OF
the full Marine Band accompanying them Or.
c. c. Cox read poem written by himself Tor the
occasion. One Of MOZarts compositions was then
rendered by the choir and the Marine Band, after
which General Logan, Commandern.Chlef OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic. was introduced, Introduced anu
made q brief address, In which he referred TO the
fact that honor to fallen heroes Is not an invention
OF our day. but dates back to the most ancient times
He then referred to the obsequies Of Athenians who
ceremonies which attended them. Americans, he
declared, should never neglect te graves oi those
sSea S sy ear rs to Msm % Day.
s We diSras %S rhss esr Ss was sw sS II
hour; II was a holy ovation when the foral
orerings are strewn thereon and When the graves
fathers, the mothers and the sisters Of the dead
united in paying tribute to the remains oftnose SO
SsaE to h% Sas womsn
were Voluntarily assembled TO pay deserved
homage to the nations heroic dead, and to garland
their quiet tombs with NATURES jewels as an appro.
pirate tribute Of respect and gratitude. General
Logan then sketched the career OF the fallen from
the opening Of the war; through reyerses to victory
until the flnal triumph Of the Union arms. He
offered up thanks to GOd and said they were offered
up by every loyal heart for the great results which
upon the people to renew their pledges Of faith to the
Union and to the protection OF liberty and equal
rights. Let US complete the grand design ana MAKE
Let us be reminded that In honorlng our beloved
dead we wish to honor also the cause for which they
fell And when we have finished StreWlng our hOw-
ers and chanting reqnems we Will return to our
resldes with fresh inspiration inhaled from the fra
GRANGE OF their virtues and DEEDS keeping the sacred
flame of patriotism bright upon the altar OF our
American hearts,
The CHORAL 'Sleepers wake," by Mendelssohn,
was then sung by the grand chorus, accompanied by
thp Marine Rand.
The assembiage next proceeded to the tomb of the
unknown soldiers where Rev. Benjamin Swallow,
chaplain Of the Department OF the Potomac, offered
| prayer. py ,,,uo ., .,o pouon provo ), nv vu,,om
Pape ,was then sung by the chorus, and the cere.
| mony AT the tomb OF the unknown was performed
by the orphans from the National Soldiers and Sail
ors' Orphan Home under charge OF the oicers and
| Band then rendered the american Hymn" by
| Keller.
the programme Of ceremonies was carried out
successfully In every particular. The rendition OF
Luthers Choral was very fine and the music through
| out was considered unusually creditable
tifuly arranged, the tomb Of the unknown soldiers
being particularly noticeable In this respect 1t was
covered with beautiful canopy maae od ma han0ma ,
| init was neat staff, from which hoated SILK iae
embazoned with the badge OF the Grand Army OF tht
cred with floral ornaments Of all patterns, consisting
of wreaths bouquets, crosses and garlands, While IL
bed Of roses on the south face was painted bQarf
| "AsA WAY svsAvWA Ane 1A..4SSffl -~<xa 'f'"
| UNKNOWN Yelled within the sheltering sod
I yet dear TO liberty and known to Coo.
| On all the four fronts Of the tomb were huns
wooden crosses, with wire loops ior tne reception
bouquets which might be placed there by vlst0rS
An impressive incident at the monument OF the 'Un
| known" was the placing OF bouquets IN cross O
| the monument by the children OF the industrial
Home School OF Georgetown. In the vicinity OF IN
| stands and tomb Of the unknown" nags OF a.
nations were suspended from ropes extended ToD
tree to tree, the various designs and bright coors
| which produced a fine effect. In the poem OF ID
| Cox complimentary allusiOn to President Gran
was received with hearty applause, and the oratio
of General Logan was listened TO with close atten
| tion
Occupying prominent seats upon the platform
| were the President and Vice President and all TN
| members OF the Cabinet, accompanied by their fam
lies. The larger portion OF the members OF bot
Houses of Congress were also present, together wit
most OF the military officers OF the government no'
stationed In Washington, and very many OF the bef
known citizens Of the metropolis, while surroundm
the stand were several thousand OF the general pui
lie, all OF whom followed the exercises with gres
| inf ha xya thar wa