American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-11-29
OUR CEMETEM E..

If there is one spot on earth that
honld be more sacred than another,
Ind around which the purest, holt
bst feelings of the human heart
should fondiy linger, it is that vine t
tepusc. the ashes OF the loved and
lost. There rest in dreamlesS siun
beer the dust of those whose Voice,
Dnue made music to the soul, and
(illed the Dind with thoughts of
tenderest love. From those mute
mounds OF earth come forth memo
ries of the past-sweet visions of
the long agO-throwing into and
around the heart pleasing, pen-
sive pleasure. In proportion to our
appreciation of them while in the
flesh, should he our respect for
their memories after death. As
our esteem and veneration for the
living are best attested by the care
manifested in the comfort and adorn-
ment of our earthly habitations, SO
should our regard and reverence for
the dead be likewise exhibited III
the care and attention bestowed
upon their homes in the ''silent city
of the dead.n
The character Of community is
never better illustrated than by the
attention which 1T gives to the coI-
secrated places where repuse, III
deaths my sterlOus sleep, the dust
of loved and cherished friends. In
all nations OF the earth where the
highest type OF civilization Is found,
this sacred duty is best observed,
and We want no better evidence OF
the true character OF the living than
is displayed in fitting and appropri-
ate attentions to the homes of the
departed. Judged by this H. falll
bic test, there are some i'll our COM
muuity who would not realize
very exalted type of humanity.
Even in our new cemetery, the sa-
cred spot which, with ordinary care
aud culture, could be made an or
nament to the city and a fitting
resting-place for departed friends,
but little. comparatively, has beer.
done, either towards identifying
the grounds, or in furnishing appro-
pirate abOdes for the pale tenants
Of the tomb" True. there are some
few lots that exhibit commenda-
bic spirit in their owners, not only
in the permancy end durability OF
the Enclosures, but also in the beau
tiful adOrnments (which friendship
and affection have employed in rem
dering them lovely and attractive.
These, we repeat. are highly credi
table TO the heads and hearts of
their owners, and evince a sacred
regard for the memories of their
buried dead. There are many,
however, which are most shamefuly
neglected, and in their present di
lapidaIed and uncomeIy condition
reflect seriously Oh those whose
duty it should be to keep them ''Je-
cent and in order" Particularly is
this the case in our old cemetery.
We, of course, know not at whose
door the fault lies, or by what cir
cumstances they are thus neglected.
There may be causes excusable IN
themselves, OF which we have no
knowledge; but one thing is evi
dent; If the owner, or owners, of
these abandoned lots have tn.
means to repair and embellish them,
and yet suffer them to fall into de- !
cay, through Indifference OF neglect, |
then it follows that they have no
respect tor the memory of the dead. /
and, by parity Of reasoning, can
have but little for the living.
As We have said, We are ignorant
OF the true cause of this shameful /
neglect, but this We do know-aud !
it is a subject of almost universal
the present c6ndi 1
ton of our old Cemetery is reflec-
ton on the city, aud those who are
interested i'll Its general appear
ance.
We repeat onr first proposition
that the character of the living is
best attested by the attention be-
slowed upon the graves of their
dead and he who negIects his duty
to the one. will be unmindful of the
claims of the other. He who early
seeks the social colnpanionship of
the living, will soon be forgetful of
the memory of the dead, and to
this cause can he traced much of
he neglect apparent in the burial
places of the land.
" 18th u comparatively small out
ay on the part vi the city, our new
could be made Il most
beautiful and attractive place. Ia
Iced, j, i, the duty Of cur city .
athers to look into this matter, and