Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-05-31

N'@1S
on from the account of Decoration Day at Ar
l;ngton, published in the Washington Patriot
of this morning.
This being our first visit to Arlington; and
o,r first presence at any Decoration Day, we
wore naturally anxious to sec how this opera
t;on which forms the centre Of attraction and
the object of the day, was performed. And
We had not long to wait. for. following the
band that led the procession with solemn
march. to the sound of muffled drums and
minute guns. we soon reach the numerous
graves. all in long and regular rows, and each
marked by 4 miniature flag beforehand ana
now. as we approach, and scatter among the
white headboards each separate one Is also
liberated with a small bouquet Of flowers: Tor
,rc few and the graves to be decorated are
manv. But basket upon basket is brought
forward apparently not single grave has SO
| CIV been FORGOTTEN. and still the work goes on
ond from the narrow wooden bridge where we
stand the sight is one Of the most imposing
and soul-stirring that we have cver-beheld.-
INT Suddenly. an armed soldier, in the uniform
n the Marine Corps. passes the bridge: and
Slowly turning on his heel, marches back again.
and IT no great distance from him we see anoth-
or and vet another There is apparently
Whole line Of them stationed there, tor the purI-
nose. as We suppose, by their presence to 90
honor to their comrades-ail true and brave
so!dicrs-that rest beneath the same sod they
seem TO guard.
But We soon found cut our mistake, and
learned that the military had been stationed
there fornuitc different purpose Two Young
ladies approached, each with bouquet IN, her
hand. STOPPING down, they quietly placed
these at the hcadboards of two graves just to
the left Of the small bridge on which we had
taken up our post Of observation, and, having
done this, turned to go. But now the soldier
that we had before noticed came, suddenly up
on the scene rudcly telling the ladies tn re
move them flowers !! ''What harm can they
do ." asked one of these. for We were near
enough to hear every word that passed. "AcTer
mind pick en- up and take'c away
Meanwhile 4 crowd was gathering. and dca!r
ing to avoid any further disturbance. tho ladies
took up the bouquets and slowly walked away
This scene WAS to me unexpected as 1t was
painful Probably noticing my aSton!shment
at this rude interference Of 4 valiant United
States soldier. with bayonctel mu:ket and all:
with a LADY,. and that with such purpose.
somebody volunteered the information that
Them graves wore the Graves of the Contede-
rate soldiers" By looking closer | saw the
word rebel painted in large, prominent let,
tcrs upon each headstone under the name; and
directly behind these graves were the soldiers
vet it was So Rebel, after death? OrelSc.
why mark these graves? Then mark rebel
On every grave, and let us all instruct the man
that is to carve our hcad$tones to put II there
also for have We not all rebclled against God.
all disobeyci His orIainings: and the laws OF
the Bible? Who gave the order to write re
bel there, where there is nothing now bat
dust? Was he Christian who caused this to
| DC inscribed on the dead mems graves? 1t Is
well that it is written but on wood and Will
soon perish; in the record above it has surely
long since been stricken out. Was this done
in view of Reconstruction. and tnr the chart
table purpose of facilitating reconciliation. or To
cultivate and nouriSl the spirit Of hrothcrly
love and friendship, that has, alas = by the
very acts Of these men who branded rebel On
the hcadstone Of the dead. but who never
fought the living-bccn so long wanting? l.
it done to further peace on earth and good
will among men o. Is it therefore that these
graves are not permitted to be decorated?
| And can it be 4 true Christian. spirit that die
! tates the dissertation of dead men ; graves?
we are behind we, who profess to he Chris
tians. and the followers Of His command 10 be
| charitable, even unto our enemies
! We may well take 4 lesson in charity from
the simple inhabitants Of Sonlcrburg and Dep.
pei. in Schlesvig. where. in l>G4. free and
| bloody battle was fought When the va: Was
over. the remains Of the fallen. Danes and
! Germans alike. were all gathered together. ana
buried in one common churchyard side BY side.
Every year. upon L certain day, these graves
are being decorated. according to the present
or past SympathlcS OF the pnpuIacc Sonic dec
Grating the graves OF the fallen Danes and 9TH
crs those Of the German soldiers. But the
| Government never intcrtcrcS laIth0ngh that Is
now anything buta free country under 'IuSsian
rule and not a single grave l. let; without
bouquet or wreath of flowers: and is to dis
turbanccs on this occasion, thcy We're never
dreamed Of and there never Was any provision
made against them because no such thought
was possible in connection with 50 solemn and
touching ceremony.
WASIIINGToN ITEMs--A new trial has been
granted to Bolster convicted Of the murder Of
Sonny James.
The second bgamy case Of c. G. Bowen WAS up
for trial yesterday before Judge DIN. holding
the Criminal Court.
4 noNc pros has been entered III the Parks
Bowen case which has been once tried
The Chronicle. Of this city, has been sod
again this time to Chronicle Publishing Com
pany.
The national banks in Washington have re.
spondcd in an effective manner to the appeal
for aid in completing the National Monument.
They have subscribed in the aggregat" ) 900. |
Some of the livery stable keepers did not
make their fortunes yesterday By charging
SIS each for hacks TO Arlington.
Three colorcd lads we're arrested yesterday
for thicving scncrally.in aalaboat the suburbs
OF the city.
CONTAMINATED.