The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-04-29

The following service for Decoration Day
has been prepared on the basis of that used
In the Department of New York for one OF
the posts in that vicinity, and may prove use
full TO others DESTROYS of adopting some form
on that occasion:
CEREMONY FOR THE DECORATION OF SOL
DIERs' GRAVES.
II the post has not approached the GENE
terry in proper array, 1t should be SO formed
at the entrance, and march 10 the graves Sc
lected for decoration in regular order, slow
step, and by the tap of the drum only.
IL the conformation of the ground will adj
NIT of it, the post should be formed in hol-
low square surrounding the graves, the flow
ers being placed in some convenient recepta-
Gle in the centre.
The post commander and aids, a. well as
superior officers, especially invited guests,
music and choir, will take post inside the
square, little in advance of the centre of the
first front. A slight elevation may be pre-
pared for the orator, but beyond this it were
more appropriate to have nothing to disturb
the general appearance of the burial-place, or
interfere with the quiet respect due to the
last resting place of humanity. A printed
programme of the order of ceremonies should
be distributed by persons selected for the pur-
pose to prevent confusion.
Absolute silence should be imposed on ev-
cry one not assigned to speak in the proceed
ings, and the slightest tendency to applause
shouid be vigorously suppressed
All things being in readiness the Post Com
mander will say:
decorate the graves of our comrades who fell
defence of the right.
Let us unite with our Chaplain in invoking
the Divine blessing"
Prayer by the Chaplain.
After which the Post Commander will pro-
coed: ,UF-1
lP. C.)-"Comrades, once more we have
laid aside the employment of the world, and
leaving the cares and pleasures of our daily
life, have assembled with bowed heads and
chastened hearts TO recall to mind those SOL
emn days when our country's destinies hung
trembling in the balance, and assailed by
traitor hands, our priceless heritage, made sa-
cred by the loftiest memories of patriotic de-
yotion, seemed for season lost to us forever.
We have not come to this hallowed ground
10 revive feelings of strife and antagonism. TO
ian the dying embers of animosity, or exult
In the triumph of victory,-but to renew our
devotion to our native land and to those eter-
nal principles through which alone her unity
and freedom can be maintained, by recalling
the sacrifices of our best and bravest. who
leaving cheenully the ties of home and kim
dred, freely offered up their lives amidst the
fortunes OF disease, or in the fore front of bat
tie.
1t has been said, Republics are ungrateful:
1t may be so, but we at least who loved and
honored the departed, can never cease to
gratefully remember them, and teach the les
son OF their lives to all, telling how great a
privilege was theirs to die that we might live
AS then we scatter earths fairest emblems,
most fitting symbol,-on their lowly graves,
we offer to their memory tribute far above
the highest glory princes or conquerors can
ever gain, the tribute of nations gratitude
and love-" Dirge-"Peace to the Brave"
LIST COmrdde with wreath
I'm honor of the heroic dead, whose NOR
tai forms here find shelter and repose. we
place wreath upon this grave in token of
that fraternity which bound us to one anoth-
er here on earth, and which still unites us as
band OF brothers, with those whose white
tents are pitched forever on the Eternal
Camping Ground"
I'd Comrdde with bouquet of fiowers.)
In the spirit of our martyred leaders
words we bring these fair flowers in memory
OF our comrades sain,-'with malice towards
none, with charity for all, let us strive to bind
up the nations wound, to care for those who
pear the scars OF battle, to relieve the widow
and the orphan, and cherish a Just and last
ing peace among ourselves and with all ma
tiOns.' "
Sd Comrade with red, white and blue fi,w-
ers.)
"In token of that loyalty which led our
comrades to meet death fearlessly in all its |
varied forms, we bring these flowers whose |
colors symbolic the flag made doubly sacred |
by their blood;" and may the mystic chords |
OF memory, stretching from every battlefield |
ana patriot grave to every living heart and
hearthstone forever swell the chorus of the
union all over our broad land'"
Chaplain with white flowers.)
Out of his infinite goodness, our Father.
without whose knowledge not even a sparrow
rails to the ground, has been pleased to re.
move our comrades from among us Asa
SYMBOL OF our constant desire to maintain in
our hearts that pure love for their memorv'
Que to their exalted patriotism and noble
deaths, we place these white flowers on this
grave. Our comrade died in the perform
ance of the highest duties, meeting the des-
troyer beneath the folds of our starry han
ner, and in defence of our country. for which
1t was sweet and pleasant to die. Nav the
example OF their actions, and the lesson of
tnelr sacrlhces remain ever with us, and con-
tlnually teach us that next to the duty we owe
the Oliver OF every good and perfect Gift. I'M
selfish patriotism and manly devotion to coun-
try are ever to be cherished as the highest
and nobest attributes of heroic men.
May wisdom from on high so guide and di-
rect our rulers that they may ever preserve in
coming years, free and unsullied, that liberty
Tor which our comrades died"
All respond-Amen.
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