Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-05-31
WASHINGTON CRY.

WAsHINGroN, May S0-The decora-
ton Of the graves OF the soldiers at the
National Cemetery took place to-day
About eight thousand persons partici-
pa6ed. Addresses were made BY A. H.
iPettibOne and r. H. Cain, Of South Car
Olida, J. P ReXford and Others. The
day was beautiful Flowers We're con-
tributed in great abundance, and no
grave was neglected.
In compliance with Executive orders,
issued by President Grant and Governor
Cooke, all the departments Of the gov
ernment and the district offices were
closed during the day, to enable the em-
plOyees TO participate with the Grand
Army Of the Republic in the ceremonies
connected with the decoration of sol
diers' graves.
Thousands of persons were ON Arling-
ton grounds, which were prOfusely deco
rated. The main stand accommodated
fifteen hundred persons, and was beauti-
fully draped with American flags, over
which were suspended evergreen fes-
toOns, shields, anchors and other appro-
pirate emblems. The stage for tbs ora
tor was ornamented with banners, ever
greens, crosses and bouquets.
At one o'clock President 6rant ar
rived, and seated with him on the stand
were the Secretary of War, Postmaster
General, RObeson, Mr. MOric, the ia
panese Minister, with Wakura and 9TH
ers of the Embassy, Consul Perry, the
soldiers and sailors orphans, a large
number Of ladies and members CT the
Grand Army Of the Republic. A ma
tiOnal salute being fired the marine band
ra1~ura1 .garravsa7 r.falfa5 Of aud
comrade Duncan recibed an original DO
EN-. General \. p. Banks then deliv-
cred an Oration, at the conclusion Of
which the large assemblage moved to
the tomb Of the unknown dead, which
enclOses the remains Of two thousand
one hundred and ten soldiers, gathered
from the field Of Bull Run and on the
route 10 the Rappahannock. 4he tomb
was heavily canOpied with Aheican
flags, around the lower circumference of
which were placed at intervals ever
green crosses and shields, on which
We're inscribed the names of Gener-
ais Baker, WadswOTth, Richardson,
Lynn, McPhersOn, and kearney,
and underneath the canopy and
around the granite mausoleum
eveTgTeens, wreaths and garlands decor
ated with roses were gracefully fes-
tOOned. Prayer having been offered by
the Chaplin of the House of Represen-
tatives, a chorus by orphans Of the Ma
tional Soldiers and Sailors Home was
sung, after which the Hon. Jesse H.
Moore, of Illinois, delivered an address,
in which he said:
A country sosaved should live forever;
a Union cemented by blood so sacred
and so profusely poured out, should
never be sundeTed. Let liberty and
equal rights be loved and cherished here
until every nation under heaven shall
become as free and prosperous as our
own In conclusion he advised all to
emulate the noble deeds and character
Of those whom they had assembled TO
honor to-day, 80 thatOur glorious country
should never call IN vain in time of
irving necessity for the exhibition of
that noble and self sacrificing patriot
ism for which these illustriOus dead
were so eminentiy distinguished.
The band then played the American
HYMN, after which the procession form
ed, and headed by the orphan children,
and the committee on decorations, for
the decoration of graves. While the
Of decorating the graves was
going on, the Marine Band, stationed
near the main avenue, executed apprO-
pirate musical selections. The graves
Of four other cemeteries IN the vicinity
Of Washington were decorated during
the day