Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-05-30
which bears in gold letters the stanza begin

which bears in gold letters the stanza begin
ming
"oN PANE's ETERNAL CAMPING GROUND
On the cap surmounting tie arch is the follow
ing: "Here rests 1855 of the 315,555 citiz ens
who died in defence Of our country from 1861 to
1862 The arch is to be surmounted by three
cannon, and neat iron gate completes the en-
closure. The exit for all vehicles was by the
middle gate, over which an arch of flags and
evergreens was erected. Pedestrians were AL
lowed to enter by this gate. The northern gate
passing through the colored cemetery was Kept
closed.
'rHE SILENT CITY OF THE DEAD"
Arlington Cemetery, comprising over 200
acres, contains the remains of nearly IL. 900
Union soldiers who died in defence of their
country. or these, 4,O77 are unknown" In
addition to these there are about go graves
containing Confederate dead. A few years ago
there were larger number of these here, but
all those who were natives of Virginia and
friends.
THE AMPHITHEATER,
which is permanent structure, was commenced
on the I'd day of May, and since that time about
70 carpenters, II bricklayers, and 80 laborers
have been constantly employed on it. 1t was
designed by Gen. Meigs and constructed under
the supervision of Col. Curtis, superintendent
Tor Gen. Myers, depot quartermaster. 1t is oval
In shape, with an exterior diameter of 40 by 1870
rect, and an interior diameter of 20 by 95 feet.
Ii Is built on a mound raised about four feet
above the level of the cemetery, and is located
about 100 yards in the rear Of the Arlington
mansion and about so yards in front Of the tomb
OF the unknown. To-day it was covered with
an awning and draped with American flags,
but IN the course of a year or two, when the
shrubbery and vines to be planted around it
shall have attained their growth, it will be
picturesque feature of the cemetery. The ros-
trum will seat about 800 persons and the amphi-
theater about 1000. A temporary railing sur
stone steps at either end.
The decorations
to-day were more elaborate than ever before
the entire space OF six or eight acres between
the Arlington House and the first row OF graves
In the cemetery being decorated, and over 4 200
small American flags, and ), 900 feet of garlands
being used. The work, as before stated, was
done under the supervision of Mr. Paul Z.
Lautrup.
THE OFFICERS GRAVES
were very tastefully decorated. Flags of all
nations were suspended from the trees, and three
large and beautiful archways, made entirely of
over the avenues leading to the cemetery
Across one Ofthe avenues, near the ampitheater
n very large arch was erected, and to the right
Of this arch was tent made Of national colors
"THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN"
was decorated to-day with great taste To-
day it was fairly Scovered with flags, grace
fully draped and festooned while a pyramid of
the national ensign relieved the squatty appear
ance of the monument. From the cannon to
the top OF this pyramid garlands Of evergreens
we're suspended, and handsome shield on the
'front.' and back OF the base completed the dec
0rati0ns here.
THE ARLINGTON HOUSE
had also received its share OF attention. For
several days painters have been at work about
the building, and yesterday they completed
their part of the task, the building presenting
very neat appearance. The pOrtico was deco
rated with large shield, and the national
colors were tastefully festooned around the
columns. From the staff in front of the building
the hag-"Majestic monarch Of the clOud"-
hoated at half mast. Immediately in front Of
the building were placed rustic urns and vases
filled with rare plants, all in full bloom.
Throughout the cemetery the grass had been
cut, the flower beds put in order, and every
thing done to add to the appearance of the silent
city Of the dead.
THR PRESIDENT
occupied front seat on the stand, and was &C
c0mpanied by Mrs. Grant and Miss Nellie.
As he was escorted to his seat the assemble ye
arose. Among other distinguished person
on the rostrum were Secretary and Mrs
and daughter, Attorney General Williams Gen
Whipple, Major Bacon, and Col. Audenreid. o
Gen. Sherman's staff, Gen. BabcOck, Col. Lud-
dington, Gen. MeiRs, members of tina Japanese
legation, Frederick Douglass, and others.
The Exercises
guns from a battery near the mansion. The
full Marine band then performed an appro-
pirate piece, after which, the committees of the
Grand Army and the invited guests being seated
in the amphitheater, Department Com mander
ards ID. sR%rsgSe called the large assembly to
invoked the throne Of Divine grace as follows:
PRAYER OF REV. o. H. TIFFANY.
. Lord God, maker OF Heaven, Of earth.
author Of life, giver OF all good, we call upon
Thy name. Thy years change not; "befOre the
mountain were brought forth, or ever Thou
hadst formed the earth, the world even from
everlasting to everlasting Thou art God" Thy
creatures ''endure but for a moment" "Our
days are an hair breadth our age is as nothing
before Thee" "The days Of our years are
three score years and ten; if by reason of
strength they be four score years, yet is their
strength labor and sorrow; for it it is soon cut
OF, and We ty away" We bless Thee, for all
beautiful world fitted for our habitation for the
joy that gladdens it, for the peace that rests upon
II, for the opportunities given us on this Thy
house. We bless Thee for all the ties that bind
the earth we live in, with the land that is very
far on; for the Preparations of Thy love- the in
y vita Of Thy word, the redemption Of
We thank Thee for Thy dominion in the
earth for the demonstration of Thy ruling
power over kingdoms, dynasties, and nations.
We thank Thee for Thy merces to our own
land. For We have heard with our ears, o,
God, Our Fathers, have:tOld us what work
Thou dust in their days, in the time of old;
how Thou didst drive out the heather with
Thy hand, and plantest them; for they got not
the land in possession by their own sword; nei-
ther did their own arm save them, but Thy
right hand, Thine arm, and the light of Thy
countenance. We bless The. for our progress
in all industry and commerce; for our re-
sources Of wealth and power; our fields, our
harvest and our mines, our mountains, rock
ribbed and cloud piercing; our vallies, plains,
and Prairies clothed with verdure, our rivers
rolling Oceanward-fOrO our culture, our colleges
schools, and hbraries-fOr our prosperity at
home and our friendly relations with all other
lands. We thank Thee for our national record;
for the heroic deeds and patriotic devotion
which have secured these blessings to us and to
our children. We come to-day to pay the
tribute Of our gratitude to the memory Of our
heroes. They lie in ranks before us now, even
as in life they stood, an army. As we decorate
the green turf of their graves with bright and
living flowers, 50 may we cherish their patriot
ism, enshrine them in our memories, think of
them as our own, since by their sacrifices we
are secured in freedom. As We come with
reverent steps into this consecrated
ground, and offer our devotiOns under
this canopy now dedicate in perpetuity
to these ritee and services, may a kindly feel.
N in, h>a a.