Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-05-30

The custom of annually decorating the graves
OF the fallen heroes Of the Union grows in favor
with each passing year, and Memorial or Deco
ration Day has come to be regarded as one OF
the most sacred OF American commemorative
holidays. Throughout the length and breadth
OF our country, wherever the remains of Union
soldiers repose, the day is observed by the touch
ing and beautiful ceremony of strewing their
graves with floral offerings of patriotic affection
In the District of Columbia Memorial Day has
always been regarded as an event of more than
usual Importance, and every year has been i'm
pressiyely commemorsted under the auspices of
the Grand Army of the Republic In fact, AT
no other point in the United States has the day
ever been So generally and so appropriately
that such should be the case. since here is
located the capital of the nation, which those
who sleep their last sleep at Arlington so often
anu so ho6ly defended; since here are congre-
gated the chief rulers of the republic, who owe
Their present elevated positions - the sacrifices
OF the soldiers of the Uuion; and since al Arling
ton repose the remains of over 1900 Union
dead-the largest number entombed at any one
point in the land.
PREPARATIONS FOR CELEBRATING THE DAY.
Ever since Sunday last the stout arms Of the
members OF the Grand Army and the fair in
gers of their patriotic lady friends have been
busily engaged at their headquarters, 1916
street, in entwining wreaths garlands and other
moral tributes, and late last night everything
was pronounced in readiness for the ceremonial
to-day. Too much credit cannot be given 20
MT. T. A Jacobs, Chairman of the decoration
committee, and Mr.. p G. Lautrup, of the Off ce of
the supervising architect OF the Treasury under
whose direction the artistic work of arranging
the floral offerings was done: to the patriotic
ladies who gave heir time and displayed their
FEMININE taste IN the after of decorations; and
In fat, to all who assisted in carrying out the
arrangements of the Grand Army. Early this
morning the members OF the decoration com
mlttee and a few others left tor Arlington for
the purpose of decorating the Tomb of the
lnknown, the Arlington mansion, and the
speakers stand.
The day opened cloudy and threatening, but
an lnyigoraung breeze sprung up about eight
O'Clock, and had il not been for the occasional
showers during the afternoon. the weather would
been all that could be desired. In compliance
with executive orders issued by the President
and Governor Cooke, all the departments of the
government and the District Offices were closed
during the day, TO enable those who desired 10
participate, with the Grand Army. in the deco
ration ceremonies. Most of the places of bust
ness In Washington and georgetown remained
closed during the day, and flags on public and
private buildings were generally displayed
in respect 70 the gallant dead. The mann BODY
OF the Grand Army left the city for Arlington
about haf-past ten O'Clock, some going by wav
OF Georgetown and others via lifelong bridge
and old Fort Albany.
ON THE ROAD TO ARLINGTON
AS early as ten O'Clock hundreds OF people.
mainly pedestrians, were streaming over the
Aqueduct bridge and along the road thence TO
the cemetery. Almost everybody carried a
lunch basket, and was laden with boquets,
wreaths and garlands of flowers. A large num-
Der OF rude booths, at which cakes, dolly Var
den tonic beer" 'ice cool lemonade" cigars
peanuts, gutta percha pies, oranges, lemons,
strawberries, &c, were dispensed for a moder-
ate consideration. The dolly Warden tonic
beer" man attracted good share OF attention
by his tireless iteration of
al say il first, say il last,
That every man should buy glass;"
and drove a thriving business, especially with
he colored people. At the north entrance 10
to enter. AT this point a large number of re-
freshment stands were in full operation at an
early hour. On large wall tent near this en-
trance was painted in large letters, 'The won
derful six-leged calf Virginia" while in front
OF the tent, mounted on a -four barrel stood an
enterprising American citizen, announcing in
stentorlan tones that everybody could see this
wonderful ''freag" of nature for the inconsder-
able sum OF ten cents.
At Arlington.
All horsemen and carriages entered the
grounds iron the south entrance, filing mp the
road leading to the mansion. At this point a
heavy arched gateway of Seneca stone is in pro-
cess of erection by MIR. Flannery, the sculptor,
this city. n the procession passed up the road
leading 10 the cemetery, the tall an cestral oaks
on either 81 lie were vocal with the music OF wild
birds, amorg which were heard the shrIll whis-
tie of the q Iau and the plaintiye notes of the
cuckoo.
THE DECORATIONS.
On reach ng the summit OF the hill the deco
Ialons, aneady arranged, were IN iuh view
but little a. tentlon hsd been pald 10 the embel-
lsnInent Oh tne Arllng,on mansion; put AROUND
sneIy I.lnt were seen tne naes anu panners Oh
ai.ereh. ma IONS. oh tne renee OF .ne cohser-
fIp1 aoa VI te eIi arnnId asSre an,e.
luy VIZ al ~ tIa aez
Inc tomb OF the UNKNOWN, which encloses
ING s ieas Dbl Va Ill sos' ii sh
tne neiHs az bnll Kun, anu on .he route 70 tae
happshahi 9ck, was neavlly canoplee Win
American days, around the lever circumfer-
ehce OF Mhl en- were placee az irequen, in,eryas
evergreen crosses and shleids, on which were
Inscribed the names OF Gems. Baker, Wadsworth,
RICHARDSON, Lyon, Dahlgren, Mcpherson, and
kearney, ho fell during the rebellion. Under
meath the Canopy and around the granite maui