Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-06-05
MEMORIAL DAY.
Decoration of the Graves of the Nations
Dead.
4 Large eCOncOurse-SOIeuln aud Impress
I've Services.

brillancy, auspicious of tho 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 forefathcrs, and soon overy avenue lead
ing to the city was filed with people intent on
witnessing and participating in the decoration
ceremonies. The throng was numbered by
thousands. and embraced all age5 from the gray
haired sire 10 the infant in arms.
THE PROCESSION
was formed on Main street by Col. A. s. Mari
ncr, acting Chief Marshal, aided by Col. Terry,
Lieut. T. T. Thornburgh, and Majs. Prosser
and Gratz 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 70
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 similar oc-
casion, exceeding many blocks in length. The
College cadets under Capt. Crawford, presented
a fine appearance and their soldierly deport-
ment was tho subject of many hattering remarks.
Arriving at the grounds, the carriages were
empted of their living freight, and the crowd
assembled around the stands near the flag staff
where tho 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 Cornct Band, Rev. Thos.
w. Humes ID. d., offered fsrvent petition for
the blessing of Divine Providence on tho exer-
cises of the day. The choir, composed of the
best musical talent in the city, sang 'the
Worlds Peace Hymn" after which Mr.. ID. W.
Peabody, of Nashville, was introduced by Mr.
Dickinson, who read the following poem, enti-
tied Love of Country" written by him es-
peciallly for this occasion. The following is
THE POEM:
Peaceful the scene. Tho summer glory falls
In dreamy shadows on the mountain walls,
That lift forever ramparts stern and stad
Round the sweet valley where our brave are
laid.
In focal power the rays of memory blend,
And to all hearts a common impulse lend.
Do | misjudge that may name o theme,
And each may quaf 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 dull measure my dagging lay
'Tis love of country. With magnetic might
1t moves mankind rs stOrm-winds in their
flight
Stir the wide ocean, till its 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,
Tho sun beholds and brightens with it, beams
While DER the world his flood 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.
No other cause % fred tho soul Of man
To march, q hero, in the foremost van
OF conquerng armies, or to give his life
To seal mis- faith in unavailing strife.
It nerved the courage of that Spartan son,
BY clouds of arrows curtained from the sun,
Holding the legion5 of the foe ~ bay
Through the slow hours that filed 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
The Roman soldier felt its impulse thrill
| His inmost soul ana all his being fill;
And so in might his eonquering flag was iurled
On the far confines of subject world.
| '1he golden lilies" blazoned on the fold
| Ofthe 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 "yive la
! Franco
! The earlier Prussan, 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 east
| Brighter than beams from all the storied past.
These ordered graves, these fragrant waiting
flowers,
offerings prepared By summers sun and show
| VI ers,
Soon to be strewn upon these grass clad graves,
! In which a nation laid its martyred braves
! Utter voice loud as the thundeTs swell
| The patriot dead, who loved their country
=. well"
'GTis sweet and fair,n the Roman poet sung,
| ITO die for native landn The words have rung
| In every age, in every form OF speech,
| And still the truth with power and beauty
| teach.
Who does not feel it in this presence now
/ In tear-dimmed eye, on sad and pensiVo brow,
\ I read the deathless eulogy and praise
| OF these who fell in battlesh cry maze,
| Or turning dying eyes on somber wall
| of hospital, Obeyed the Masters call,
| Resigning all that mortals have to give,
| That q free nation might not cease TO hga
! The Persian poets taught each tiny hower,
| That flings its perfume on the summer hour,
Draws its young life, when first its root Is stas
| From pure drop that warmed heros heAEt
The Eastern myth embalms for every cliMo