The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-06-22
DecorntIon orCon rederaIe Graves.

There is a report in circulation that
Grant has declared thatif he had known
in time, he would have prevented the de-
coration of the Confederate graves at
Memphis, on the Both Of May. This
report the Pilot ridicules and spealSes Of
it as " another sampled the intellectual
/" food furnished by the Democratic press
Z" 10 its patrons" We do not know whe-
Their Grant has said this or not, nor do we
know by what authority he would have
prevented it, but we do know that an
order was issued 10 prevent the decora-
ton of the Confederate graves in the Ma
tional Cemetery at Arlington, in 1865,
and that it was repeated in this year will
be seen from the following account Of the
decoration day taken from the Washing
ton Patriot:
This being our first visit to Arlington, and
our first presence nj any Decoration DaYs
we were naturally anxious 10 see how this
operation. which forms the -eeTter Of attrae-
ton and the object n the day, was per-
formed. And Nc<had not long 10 wait, Tor
following the band that led the procession
with a solemn march, 20 the sound Of mui-
led drums and minute guns, we soon reach
ed the numerous graves, all ln long and regu-
lar rows, and each marked by miniature
flag beforehand and now. a. we approach,
and scatter among the white headbonrds,
each seperate one Is also decorated with
small bOquet of flowers, for these have 70 be
used with economy. as they are few and the
graves 10 be decorated are many. But bas-
ket lpon basket Is brought forward; appa-
renty not a single grave has so far been for
gotten, and still the work goes on aud from
the narrow wooden bridge where we stand,
the sight IA one of the most imposing and
soul-stirrng that we have ever bcheld.
But suddenly, an armed soldier, In the uni
form OF the Marine Corps. passes the bridge,
and slowly turning on his heel, marches
back again, and at no great distance from
him we see another, and vet another.
There is apparently whole line OF them
stationed there, for the purpose, as we sup
pose, by their presence 10 do honor "a their
comrades-all true aud brave soldiers-that
rest beneath the same sod they seem %
guard.
But we soon found out our mistake. and
learned that the military had been stationed
Il ere for quite different purpose Two
young ladies approached, each with bou-
quet in her band. STOPPING down, they
quietly placed these at the headbonrds of
two graves just TO the lefi Of the small bridge
on which we had taken up our post Of oh.
servatioh, and having done this, tuAned b.
fore noticed came suddenly up on the scene.
rudely telling the ladies TO "remOve them
fowers!" "What harm can they 90 -
asked one OF these, for we were near enough
to hear every word that was passed.
Never mind; pick 'em up and take 'cm
awayv' Meanwhile crowd was gathering,
and, desiring to avoid any further distur-
bance, the ladies took up the bouquets aud
slowly walked away.
This scene was 10 me unexpected as 10 was
taaff nj M a. uAffs faNf.
ment at this rude Interference of "A valiant
United States soldier, with bayoneted mus !
ket and all, with lady, aud that with such /
purpose. somebody volunteered The iniOr- /
nation that "them graves were the graves |
of the Confederate soldiers" by looking /
closer j saw the word "rebel" painted in /
large prominent letters upon each head I
stone under the name; and directly behind /
these graves were the soldiers stationed. 1 4
could scarcely believe my eyes, aud vet IL /
was so. Rebel" after death or else /
why mark these gravesl Then mark /
- rebel" on every grave, and let Us AL In /
struct the man that Is TO carve our head +
stones to put it there also; for have We not 4
all rebelled against God, all disobeyed his 4
ordainings. and the laws OF the Bible + /
Who gave the order 10 write rebel y there. /
where there Is nothing now but dust /
Was he a Christian who caused this 10 be /
inscribed on the dead mems gravesY IL Is /
well that IL is written but on wood and /
will soon perish /; In the record above 10 has T
surely long since been stricken out Was
this done In view Of reconstruction" aud +
for the charitable purpose Of facilitating re-
Cancellation, or TO cultivate and nOurish the
spirit of brotherly love and friendship. that
has, alas by the very acts of these men
who branded rebel on the hcadstoncs of
the dead, but who never fought the living
been so long wantingY is IL done 70 further
= peace on earth and goodwill among men ="
Is it therefore that these graves are not per-
mitted TO be decorated? Aud can IL be- n
true Christian spirit that dictates the desc
Grafton of dead mems graves Oh! how
much we have 70 learn and how far we are
behind we, who profess % be Christians.
and the followers of His command 20 "be
even unto our encmiesl"