Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-05-31
MEMORIAL pay.
Decoration of fhe Graves Of the Nahon's
Dead.
4 large COncOurse-SOlemn and Impress
i've Services.

Large COncOurse-SOIemn and Impress.
i've Services.
Yesterday morning the sun rose in unclouded
brilliancy, suspicious of the day celebrated
throughout the land by patriot hearts in acts of
honor to the memory of the heroes who fell in
defense of the heritage bequeathed them by
their forefathers, and soon every avenue lead
ing to the city was filled with people intent on
witnessing and participating in the decoration
ceremonies. The throng was numbered by
thousands, and embraced all ages from the gray
haired sire to the infant in arms.
THE PROCESSION
was formed on Main street by Col. y. S. Mari
ncr, acting Chief Marshal, aided by Col. Terry,
Lieut.. T. T. Thornburgh and Majs. Prosser
and GrOtz Assistants Marshal according to
the published programme and took up the line
Of march up Gay street to Union, thence up
Union to Crooked street, down Crooked to
Asylum street, thence to Broad, down Broad to
Bellevue and Jacksboro street to the cemetery
The procession was one Of the largest and
most imposing ever assembled on Il similar &C.
clsion, exceeding many blocks in length. The
College cadets under Capt. Crawford, presented
a fine appearance and their soldierly deport-
ment was the subject of many fattering remarks.
Arriving at the grounds, the carriages were
emptied of their living freight, and the crowd
assembled around the stands near the flag staff
where the National standard was waving at
half-mast.
SUITABLE STANDS
had been erected near the circle for the occa-
sion, three in number one for the officers of the
Society, speakers and ministers, one adjoining
for the Band and the choir and one at the base
of the flag staff, on the mound, for the Misses
representing the several States of the Union.
After music by the Cornet Band, Rev. Thos.
W. Humes, D. D., offered fervent petition for
the blessing of Divine Providence on the exer-
cises of the day. The choir composed Of the
best musical talent in the city, sang 'the
Worlds Peace Hymn after which Mr. D. w.
Peabody, of Nashville, was introduced by Mr..
Dickinson, who read the following poem, enti
tied Love of Country" written by him es-
peciaIIIy for this occasion. The following is
THE POEM:
Peaceful the scene. The summer glory falls
IL
That lift forever rampartS stern and staid
Round the sweet valley where our brave are
laid.
In focal power the rays of memory blend,
And to all hearts common impulse lend.
Do misiudge that | may name theme,
And each may quatf from out the lucid stream
Of rich suggestion which the terms inspire,
Feeling, hope, memory, aspiration fire
The thoughts that rush far onward and away
From the duh measure Of my tagging lay
lis love Of country With magnetic might
1t moves mankind, as storm-winds in their
flight
Stir the wide ocean, till it, waves ascend
And with the clouds their tossing spray-drops
blend
1t moves all ranks, conditions, grades of men
As, all-embracing in his piercing ken,
The sun beholds and brightenS with its beams
While DER the world his food Of blessings
streams.
Ay! love of country. From the distant source
Whence history issued on its splendid course,
No other cause so moved to deeds sublime
That gem the pages of the book of time.
20 other cause 80 fired the soul of man
To march, hero, in the foremost van
OF conquering armies, or to give his life
10 seal MS faith in unavaiing strife.
1t nerved the courage of that Spartan son,
BY clouds Of arrows curtained from the sun,
Holding the legions of the foe at bay
Through the slow hours that filled a deathless
day;
And of another, on his spotless shield,
As he lay dying on glorious field,
Tracing the words, at life's fast ebbing food.
Sparta has conquered" with his flowing
blood.
The Roman soldier felt its impulse thrill
His Utmost soul and all his being fill
And so in might his conquering flag was furled
On the far confines of subject world.
1.-The golden lilies" blazoned on the fold
OF the French banner, made her veterans bold
To climb the Alps and beard the Russian Gar
Entrenched by winter meath the Northern
star,
And even die, stricken by wars dread chance,
Whispering the watchword in their 'vive la
France"
The earlier Prussian, under Frederick, won
In the same cause The deadly needle-gun
Was raised, in latter years, to win the fame
Now proudly resting On the German name.
Why seek the fields of olden story through
Before our eyes a silent scene We view,
From which light upon the theme Is cast
Brighter than beams from all the stored past
These ordered graves, these fragrant waiting
flowers,
Offerings prepared by summers sun and show
erS,
CooD 70 hn ctravup IlY,Ou tbaca rraSs-clad graves