The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-31
BROOKLYN'S OBSERVANCE OF DEC.
GRAFTON DAY.

Ceremonies at the Evergreens, Cypress
Hills, Naval, Greenwood, Holy Cross,
Calvary and Other Cemeteries.
The beautiful custom, now legalized, Of observing
May so as one on which the memory Of the soldiers
and sailors who "died to preserve US nationn
shall be brought more strongly before the minds OF
the present generation as well as those who in
future may enjoy the lasting benefits of good gov
eminent, of "a Unisn that none can severn was
well observed in Brooklyn yesterday. The streets
bore q decidedly holiday aspect. The principal
stores remained closed all day. while others put up
their shutters after twelve NJ, and the clerks and
propretors made their way out to the cemeteries to
give one day to meditation on mortality. The City
Hall. County Court House and al the
courts remained closed. Police and civil
justice courts were the only halls OF justice
open. The United States Court House was
also shut up. Postmaster Booth, in order
to give the employees Of that department.. Jour
ffths OF whom are veterans be it said to the credit
OF Mr.. BOOTH, an opportunity to engage in the
ceremonies attendant upon decorating the graves
of their fallen comrades, had carriers delivery in
the morning only. The Office closed at halEpast
twelve. The flags Of the CITY, az well as those OF
many private dwellings, were suspended at half
mast. The headquarters Of the Grand Army Of the
Republics Committee OF Arrangements over the
Post ONCE, Washington street, was a scene OF
great activity throughout the entire forenoon.
Here Captain w. H. Doty Chairman of the Commit
tee, was perfectly deluged In floral contributions
from generous and patriotic men and women, who
fairly depleted the florists shops in every part OF
the city in purchasing fitting memorial spring
tributes for the graves OF the departed veterans
From an early hour in the morning the cars lead
ing the various GENE teries, especially the Green
wood line, were filled with people bearing flowers
nlon Thoux for fha rdc
with quiet purpose Of their own-i. e., bent upon
discharging labor of love to some departed dear
one who fell fighting for the Union, and whose
memory was still green in the hearts Of the rela-
tives Many of these people said to themselves
'It would not be proper to stand Dy and look on
while strangers decorate the grave OF our dear one
The task shall first be ours; then let patriotism
smile its floral tributes, but loves hands should
first fsndle the greensward above the ashes OF our
gallant kinsman." This sentiment is unique and
a growing one; and thus it was found that many
mounds had been ornamented when the
grand army OF decorators made their rounds OF
the cemeteries The public schools being closed az
forded an opportunity to thousands OF the rising
generation TO ramDle among the tombstones read
the inscriptions and witness the honors paid by
their seniors to the memory OF the patriot dead.
Amor p1trie was the lesson the schoolboys and
girls learned in yesterdays observances. Surely
the holiday was not misspent, nor can the lesson
ever be forgotten.
CEMETERY OF THE HOLY CROSS FLATBUsH
The committee Of arrangements appear to have
been rather unfortunate in making their selection
OF comrades" to perform the floral offices for this
place. A large and rare selection OF flowers was
contributed for the ornamentatIon OF the
graves OF Brigadier General Mallon, Major John
Sullivan, Colonel Johnson and q host OF other
brave departed Brooklynites inferred In the Gene
terry OF the Holy Cross. The subcommittee, whose
duty IL was to distribute these MOWERS, did not
attend to the matter until late In the day, when
they carted out the flowers to Flatbush, where the
keeper OF the a was TS % e
many relatives OF departed veterans on the ground
during the day, however, and these latter per-
CEMETERY OF THE EvERGREENs.
This handsome burial ground, IN which are In
tered several hundred Union dead. was visited by
decorators under command OF Louis W. Hamilton,
Comrade OF Post No. 50, g. A. r., shortly after
Company X, Fourteenth regiment N. Y. 8. NJ. Com
pany g Twenty-eighth regiment N. \. :. NJ
sS Of De1 Ser Seven
Wise Men, Hari Kari Lodge, Turnvereln,
East New York Fire Department Goncorda
New York Maennerchor. The organizations formed
in two ranks about the soldiers plot, which com
address was delivered by Post. Commander
Broecher. "A prayer was then offered by the chap
by the Concordia Singing Society. The Grafton Of
| the occasion was by Mr.. Charles r. Miller. The
Maennerchor theA displayed their vocal abilities,
| The graves were then lavishiy decorated.
CYPRESS HILLS CEMETERY.
The services here were very numerously at
tended Notwithstanding the distance OF the ceme-
| terry from the city. The procession from New York
reached the foot OF Atlantic street, by the South
the cars for East New York. On reaching
the rendezvous they were. Joined by. several