Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-05-30

"ohnc, SOukEeo8IOu6ls OAK II
and all other Cemeteries I'm the Z.
District, the Cemeteries NJ
Alexandria, Culpeper and
Fredericksburg, Va.
II is right and proper that one day in the year
should be set apart to commemorate the
Itriotism Of the noble men who laid down their
own lives that the country might live, and the
touching ceremonial of strewing the graves of
the dead heroes with spring hO StIs, which has
grown to be an annual custom. is q most be-
coming way Of celebrating the solemn anniver-
ssry. The 3Oth of May having sen desi IN sted
by the Grand Army Of the Republic for several
years past a. the day on which they would thus
honor their departed comra des, it has come to
be known as "Memorial Day." or Decoration
favor the patriotic purpose OF the Thousands
VINO proposed to participate In the exercises at
ID me , various cemeteries whore the Union dead
the sun mounted higher, his avs we're tempered
with Q grateful breeze.
Washington presented holiday look through
out the day, all Of the public Offices, federal,
the banks and many places Of business, and the
streets we're comparatively deserted by the
population, thousands OF HON were ct the
various cemeteries In this vic unity, where 40 900
Union soldiers are buried.
The exercises were, as heretofore, conducted
under the auspices Of the CT and Army of the
Republic. The officer OF the lay was Comrade
y. y. Z. burnside. with Com rsdes ID. b. Peck,
VIM. F. Morse, M. e. Ursll, and W. III. Brels,
ford az aids. The badges Of the committees
we're: General committee, blue; committee on
decoration, white; committee ON transportation,
REQ; committee on correspondence, yellow:
blue. '0 e10
Was OF course the central point Of attraction,
and from an early hour in the morning ell the
roads leading to the national cemetery at that
place were crowded with pedestrians and with
vehicles OF all descriptions, filed with passen-
gers.
All the arrangements for the cere mony were
perfected at an early hour this morning, and
were 80 well conducted that nothing was want
or the comfort Of the visitors. Throughout the
grounds barrels of ice water were placed, and
wagons were kept busy In hauling water to re-
plenish them.
The entrance to Arlington for pedestrians
and light carriages was by the main avenue,
while omnibuses and heavy vehicles were re-.
auired to approach by the upper entrance.
cemetery for colored soldiers, thus avoiding any
blocking up or confusion aiming the vehicles.
The Decorations.
we're of the most elaborate character and sur
passed those or any former year. Throughout
the grounds profusion Of bunting was dis
play ed, the national colors OF course being con-
spicuous, but ensigns Of all nations, signal
nsgs, corps badges, &c, were suspended from
evergreens tastefully festooned added much to
the beauty Of the scene. The grounds were in
GOOD order, and f"e walks levelled and rolled in
the neatest mAL-er: The beautiful grove Of
oak trees I'm which the cemetery IL located Are
covered with thick foliage, yet hardly q leaf
could be found upon the grass.
The columns in front Of
THE ARLINGTON MANeIoN
we're festooned with evergreens, and the tyn-
panum above bore the inscription in evergreen:
I'VE honor our fallen comrades" TO the right
Of the building, extending around the circle
where
THE OFFICERS GRAVES
are located. " as line of posts, each adorned
With wreath and the various corps badges. A
continuous strand OF evergreens connected the
posts around the entire circle.
THE MAIN STAND
was erected In the grove OF oak trees IN the rear
OF the Arlington House. about the same place
, where 1t was located two years ago: It was
dred persons. Seats were provided for the
President and members OF the Cabinet. the
committees aud invited guests, among whom
many OF them accompanied by their ladies. The
stand was covered with flags, CORPS badges and
wreaths In front and to the right Of the main
Marine Band. In the rear Of the Arlington
House, In full view from the main stand was
the inscription, ;. in evergreen.
Beyond the stard, and over the avenue lead
ing t. that portia q of the cemetery where the
graves are located, was an archway of bunting
ana small hags, With the inscription "Here rest
the fallen brave" Another email stand was
erected near the entrance to the cemetery
proper, from WI ich Rev. Rankin offered fer.
vent prayer. Over tho
TOMB TO THE MEMORY OF THE UNKNOWN
canopy was erected of American flags and
the guns surmounting the monument were COW
ered with bunting representing the national
colors: Adjoining the monument was profu-
son OF flowers. and suspended from the top OF
crosses Of fragrant flowers. Throuehont the
grounds were miniature American flags, nearly
six thousand being used in the decorations.
employed By the GRAND Xnmy Of tSs %
public to arrange the decorations, and their
portion OF the work was carried out to the sat
nal, from the navy yard we're kindly lent for the
occasion by the Secretary Of the Navy, and,
bSesaoss, mere 81 xers very large number OF ags
The soLDiKRs AHD SAILORS ORPHANS,
from the asy lum, were conveyed to Arlington
81 On early b our and provided with
and the little girls in their tidy summer dresses
Ana strsx hats, looked very neat and attracted
were commenced shortly after half-past twelve
O'Clock, when . procession was formed in front
or the Arlington mansion. and marched TO the
s oS%arIy,ng ground BY the avenue south Of that
gronnds where the graves are located Rev Dr.
Rankin offered prayer from the stand above
described, and the ceremony OF decorating the
graves was then psrticipstedin by the multitude.
mand Of Major j. Z. Edis, from the the o. S.I s.
AIfenai, was stationed in the grove back of the
cemetery, and while the graves were beinS
suewed with flowers min ute guns were fired. a
company OF marines from the Navy Yard were
also upon the ground fer guard duty. When
the decoration OF the graves was Concluded
the assemblsge gathered at the main stand.
AZ the Main Stand
the vast esemblage was called to order about Q
?: m. by Major Timothy Lubsy, Department
Commander, who spoke as follows:
MAJOR LUBBY's REMARKS.
In obedience to the organic law of our orpani-
cation, as also those Of kindness and love. we
meet in this great city Of the dead to honor ths
memory OF those who lie buried here as Also to
unite with our comrades throughout this broad
land In mmemorating the memory and deeds
Of our gallant dead. No words OF mine are
needed 10 bring you In full sympathy with the
occasion, ard We therefor address ourselves 10
the duty before us.
"Csjas Amman" from Sfabat Mater. wa, than
performed by the Marine Band, after which
the following poem, composed for the occasion