Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-06-19

CHAaLrsros, May 80. 1872.


CHARLESTON, May 80. 1872.
Ma. EpIroR This is "Memoriai
Day" but.how much IL differs from thst
day about which We last wrote you. On
that day business houses were closed
from u o'clock M.-to-day business is
as brisk Is on any other day. On that
day the bells Of the city were tolled-
today not sound is heard from that d.
rection. The reason for all this is, that
this 10 the day when "Lincoln's Dog .
are crowned with fresh laurels-on that
other day the heroes of a glorious un
dying cause were crowned.
By the way, we might add that very
few bells tolled on the Confederate Me-
mortal Day" Ask the people here the
reason, and they are not ashamed to tell
you. They have very few bells-but
three in all the city-the fire bell. and
the bell on the Orphan House, and the
chimes on St. Michaers. which were
sent to England for safety. and brought
back at the close of the war. All the
others were lowered from their position
and heroically thrown into the hands Of
the Confederate Government to be made
into cannon with which to kill Federals.
What quiet city we have on the Sab
bath
But after all, our Union dead were
remembered to-day. Few white peo-
pie we're there. but great crowd Of col
ored citizens. This seems strange, since
it is known that we have here many
Northerners who pass for strong Union
lists at home But these all have vari
Gus reasons for not participating in these
ceremonies. Their business would suffer
they would at once receive the seal of
southern condemnation. They remained
at home and were silent Others who
were afraid of losing vote from the
overruling political class, came and lin
gered at the outskirts of the crowd,
while four or five other brave souls, who
had no lake to grind" participated III
the ceremonies. We blush with shame
But will angels refuse to visit the hal
lowed spot because these graves were
strewn with flowers from the hands of
the devoted colored people? They re-
main true under all circumstances. Not
one, except drivers was present on the
10th. What volumes this speaks How
it must vex those who boasted of the
loyalty of the slaves to their former mas
ters!
N. X. Reed. Esq, of the custom
House presided. and opened the e1er-
cises with a very appropriate and patri-
otic address. Then followed a prayer
by Rev. ii. J. Fox, D. ID. of the Metho-
dist Church North. Then all united in
singing MY country, it's Of thee"
How beautiful this old national song
sounded as it rang through the live
oaks of magncl;a-over the graves of
the brave boys, who gave up their lives
for freedom
After singing, the Memorial ode was
read. This, no doubt, was very much
like the odes read in different parts of
the country. on like patriotic occasions
This one. to say the least, was good.
Then commenced the work of strew.
ing the graves with flowers. This was
done by forty little colored girls under
the direction of Mrs. NJ. L. Mclaughlin,
a white lady How happy we all felt,
as we looked down upon the fowery
graves of these noble boys. sleeping away
from home in an enemy's country? How
we felt that they had a few
friends to raise the stars and stripes
above them and scatter mementoes of an
undying love and gratitude. Then we
left them. after singing the following
hymn:
To the Patriot Dead Of Magnolia.
Slumbcr sweetly meath the roses,
Comrades in the ended strife;
Entfh fr,l haor L..
Why ye yielded up your life.
flushed the muskst's volley'd rattle
flushed the thunderous cannonade,
Ceased the work of torch and sabre.
Ceased the devastating raid.
Tillage smoothes the fields of slaughter.
Bloodless is the streamlet's flow;
War is but horrid vision
OF the fevered Long Ago.
Still, oh sleeping brave, the banner
Freedoms banner-foats on high,
Proud as when its image faded
From your death -enshrouded eye
Waves DER all the land united,
Emblem Of the nations power,
Grand memento Of the martyrs
Who have left it rs their dover.
Here above their honored ashes
Strengthened. though our tears will fall
Pride appeases half our sorrow,
When their triumphs we recall.
Bend, oh skies, in peace above tn en-
Fresh. We garlands. still remain
Angels guard their dreamless slumbers-
Peace be with ye, gallant slain.
We looked in vain for a report of this
lays proceedings in the city papers.
They had two columns apiece about the
Memorial Day." but we
ound only passing notice of this kind
THE graves of the Federal dead wo-o