The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1872-06-06
MEMORIAL ukY.
0arlauds for the Graves Of the Coun-
try's Defenders.

try's Defenders.
he Prayer. Grafton Poem and
Address.
Ceremsni at the National
Cemetery.
mmeuse Attendance from Fort Leav-
enwcrth and the City.
Although our citizens were ,ardy At frs,
bout joining with the officers At Fort Leav-
.nworth to observe the 3O:h of May, . sufii-
lent interest was awakened before the day
:ame round to render the commemoration
If the anniversary in Leavenworth highly
.reditable in every particular. The Com
nit,ee of Arrangements BY calling to their
assistance the ladies and young gentlemen
If the city, were enabled to zee their way
,lesr for an appropriate Observance before
dark, Wednesday evening. Owing to the
TACT that Leavenworth has lately been sur
teited with professions and imposing turn-outs,
he various societies did not come forward
very cheerfully TO the parade call and many
we're not represented at all in the procession.
At the appointed hour Thursday morning,
The procession formed in the city, headed by
The superb band of the Fifth U. s. Infantry,
and moved TO the steamers in waiting at the
levee. The column Was made up of the
Fire Department with the engines hand
somely decorated, and the fi-emen in regula-
lion uniform. together with dele cations from
the different lodges Of Odd Eel
lows in Ieavenworth and two OF
the German societies. The children
of the Public Schools under the care Of
Williams, Prof. Wheriiil and
other teachers also marched to the levee ard
we're furnished With water transportation to
the Fort Leavenworth landing. At this
latter point the column was reformed under
the direction of Chief Marshal Forteecue, and
Assistant Marsbals Major A. p. Shreave and
Capt Van Dusen. and marched 10 the
grounds adjoining the National Cemetery
where the exercises preceding the decoration
proper we're held. A detachment Of US.
Infantry from Fort Leavenworth joined the
procession on the way from the landing to
the Cemetry. During the progress of the
march an artillery salute was fred from .
point near the route traversed by the column.
For more than an hour before the approach
of the school children and societies, carriages,
and private conveyances of all descriptions
every equipage crowded-Were continually
arriving and halting under the spreading
trees surrounding the speaker platform.
This immense concourse was augmented BY
delegations that came on foot direct from the
city, and on horseback from Platte and
Leayenworth counties.
So vast was the asseniblsge that not more
than ohe-fourth Of the people present we're
able to hear the remarks from the platform.
In due time, the presiding officer, General
Miles, called the audience to order. Briefly
but eloquently he explained the motives that
had convened the vast concourse Of people
before him, and closed by announcing prayer
by Rev. Geo. A. Jackson.
At the conclusion Of the PRAYER the band
gave music:
My country, Ills OF thee
Sweet land Of Liberty.''
Gen. Miles then introduced L. NJ. God
dard, the orator of the occasion.
When the applause subsidized, Gen. Miles
introduced Judge D. J. Brewer. the poet
OF the occasion, and the Judge, amid fro
qnen, interruptions of approval, read the fol.
lowing original poem:
few stern men and wa,hir ston,
At Valley Forge. when day WAS done.
And night with varied beauty spread
Her mantle o er the soldier bed,
While snowy winter quickly froze
The tentiess victim Of repose;
And these were all who chose to be
Free in the grave, or living free
Around their blazing fires, these few
Who still to freedom dared be true,
Watch for another morn to ope
Some brighter prospect to their hope,
And nought the peaceful stiffness bresks
But that clear sound which hourly wake
From every lonely sentinsl
Throughout the camp Of ''ali is WE'LL
Their chieftain, loved by ireenen. feared
BY those in kiasly palace reared.
Now passed beyond the camp fire. glare
10 his frequented place Of prayer.
o. who shall tell the earnest word
Which there he spoke before the Lord
Or hear.that heart-begotten prayer
Which rose like incense through the air
Long there he prayed, and when at last
lie rose from earth the night was past;
And as he turned to leave the wood
An angel form beside him stood.
Clothed in . robe Of spStless white
All sparkling in the morning light.
He held this banner which We love
or threads VI light all newly wove
In stripe, alternate white and red. Oh Leareuiy
hue
And heavens lost i.leiads in its aeld Of bite.
''Chieft ain, - he said, thy prayer is heard
Hear nov the answer Of the lord,
That this fore ,ermore shall be
On earth the BANNER CT the free
That noIn the chieitain late returned
With trophy which h 8 prayer had earred;
Loud, loud huzIas, as freemen see
This starry banner Of the free;
They catch by faith glimpse Of days
whose brightIess is ;heir greatest prc.5c,
And round that banner sr.ear to d;e
Beneath its folds for liberty
CT tea1 il CO to victory.
I'LL eighty years have passed away
Since dawned that bright esen;ful day
Wherever man has dared to so,
Mid tropic heat or polar snow,
On sandy pla' n or lofty crag.
Has waved our country's starry flag;
In that far North where oesseless cold
Has built its alaba.tcr hold,
And where the sun dislain, to stow
His brightness on unbrokeo SNOW,
Where icy pillars tower TO heaven
Pale sentinels to nature given,
To watch the only spot she can
Withhold from grasping hand Of nsn,
There Kane un!urled this banner bright,
Respiendsnt with auroral light.
This hammer drooEed = single year,
And many . star in mad career,
Like those swim orbs which fash and die
When Autumn clusters ill the sky,
moment blazed With parting light
Then vanished into treason night
4 single moment hope forsook,
A single moment weakness fho0k,
And then the angels promise came
Like nightly pillar bright With fame.
o. who would have dreamed, in the years that
have hoWn,