New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-31
DE CORATION DAY
CEREMONIES AT CHALMETTE

upon by general consent as the day OF
which the citizens of New Orleans are t.
meet together in the plot of GROUND
wherein lie the graves of the men who
have fought and fallen to vindicate the
Union of the States of America.
The ground wherein to bury the heroic
dead who fought for us, who bled and died
for us, who considered their lives as dust il
the balance, if the life of the nation only
was saved, and the American people
were preserved from the fate that befell the
Grecian republics, who. though one people
in language, in habits, in modes of thought
were yet impelled by miserable, paltry
local Jealousy SO to act that they eventually
became the prey Of common enemy, nc
way their superior in physical force or men.
tai power, but excelling only IN a highly
concentrated devotion to the welfare of the
commonwealth, which it was their sole aim
to elevate.
The ground wherein the heroic dead are
| gathered to their last rest is in close prox-
unity to the place where, more than half a
| century ago, the stalwart sons of America
gathered in battle array, prepared to repel
an invading foe or die in the attempt, and
| the result was that
Their blood had washed out their vile footsteps
pollution"
Here, then, on the spot where jackson
and his fellow braves fought that the be-
loved country might not be polluted, even
temporarily, by the tread of an invading foe,
it is meet and right that the mortal remains
should rest of those who fought for that
without which all the heroic striving of
Jackson, of Scott, of Macomb, of Truxton,
of Preble, of Decatur-of the heroic host
who took their lives in their hands, and con-
sidered their lives as nous ght compared with
the salvation of the country-would have
been all in vain. The weather has been
unpropitious for several DAYS, but
yesterday the weather was all that could
be desired. Ample preparations had been
made to convey to the Union cemeteries all
who wished to partake in the ceremonies
whereby the memory of the patriotic dead
were kept alive in the memory of the living.
The German Union Bund had chartered the
steamer Campbell, while the American
Union Club had engaged the immense
and roomy steamer . Lucretia. Both
boats made numerous trips during
the day, commencing at ten o'clock
and continuing until late in the day We
took passage on the Lucretia at eleven
o'clock A. NJ, and we speak within bounds
in saying that not less than fifteen hundred
persons were on the boat each trip.
Arrived at the ground we found number
of Uncle Sans regulars. we do not know
whether regiment or battalion, accom-
panied by splendid band of music.
The Second Regiment of Louisiana Vol
unteer Militia was also ON the ground, and
made very fine appearance. They were
accompanied by Kelly's splendid Union
band.
Ample preparations were made for the
accommodation of all cOmers. There was
nothing wanting in the way of comfort.
The weather was all that could be desired,
just cloudy enough to make it pleasant
shelter from the rays of May sun, which
in Louisiana is equal to the most sultry
effects of Northern summer.
Among other preparations large booth
had been erected, capable of containing
under its roof at least two thousand per-
sons. This booth, with the stand in the
centre, was filed to overfowing, for here
the speakers were to address the assembly,
consisting at least of ten thousand people.
At about half-past one o'clock the regular
~,
au address by Horace Greeley, who had ar
rived on. the ground at an early hour, hav-
ing taken passage on the police boat War
moth. Mr.. Greeley occupied but short
time with his address, which was, however
very much to the purpose. He touched
lightly upon the past as something that was
now dead and had better be at once and
forever buried out of sight. All causes of
1issension were settled at once and forever,
and the result would be that matter of |
would be equally of vital interest at the |
opposite extremity.
When Mr.. Greeley concluded, the orator
If the day, Mr.. Rouse, came forward and
made the following address:
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen-The
object which brings US together here to day
S one which certainly must commend itself |
% every patriotic heart. 1t is fitting that
We should annually devote day to honor
ng our heroic dead. From time immemorial
t has been customary for almost every peo-
lie to preserve the memory of their dead
nd to honor their last resting place with
ONE mark of affection or testimonial of re-
pect Some by rude heaps of stones and
ONE by sculptured or monumental piles:
ONE by mounds of earth, and some by
ostly mausoleums. according as the nations
we're rude or polished, but all with the same
purpose, have bestowed their affectionate
are upon their sepultures.
And especially have they cherished the
memory of their heroic dead. The heroes
Tho have fallen on the field of battle, in
efense of their country, have ever had par
icular honors paid them. Their virtues
nd renown have been preserved by history
r tradition, and their names and achieve
lents embalmed in song and story. The
lree hundred Greeks at Thermopyla, and
hose who fell at Marathon, will forever
ommand the admiration of mankind; and
istory is full of examples of noble daring
nd self-sacriicing valor in wars dread
rena.
1t is fitting then, say, that we should
ssemble here to-day to honor our comrades
lllen in the cause of our country. | know
{ no more beautiful custom than that we
ave invoked. of meeting annually in these
ties of the heroic dead, and decorating
ith flowers the mounds that are raised
Dove them. In discharging this duty we
nd proper occasion for renewing our al
glance to those great principles for the
aintenance of which they died.
Assembled here to-day beneath that