New-York tribune., 1874-06-01
THE SOLDIERS MEMORY.

CEMErERIEs-CHANGK IN THE CHARACTER OF
THK DAY.
It was worthy sentiment that gave rise TO
the custom Of decorating soldiers graves ana IL were
perhaps well although to many it seems untortunste
that after q few returns OF a quiet ana sacred uay
fraugnt with memories and bitter heartburnngs,
legislation should give the occasion national charse-
Ger and make the day public holiday. whether or not
n was Intended this changed the day from Zone
Of mourning and conservation Of exultaton and
pleasure. IL became at day OF recreation
The mother wife, betrothcd could no longer on that
day retire from the world and weep at the graves
of their loved and enjoy in solitude the sslace OF
strewing flowers over the mounds. But 10 the great
Of sufferers by wat the publicity gwen to the
ceremony and the popularity II assumed were pleasing
Welldoing upon holidays involves everything which
will contribute 70 draw immense crowds With TINS We"
of the Saturday witnessed IN New-fork ana its
vicinity the greatest success OF Decoration Day tha' mas
been known since that holiday gained prominence. The
professions long, the crowds beyond accurate
calculation the orations equal TO the most ambitious
Fourth OF July efforts. the music up 20 the fullest
requirements point of quantity least while the
peculiar feature which distinguishes tins from other
festival daysthe decorating OF soldiers graves-was
carried with such display OF flowers and plants
has probably never before been witnessed upon this
memorial day.
The most unnatural oversight that which left
WasninSons statue during the morning hours without
anything to him. This due to ones neglect,
when attention called IT, after the procession
well under way. flowers back and distrib
ued where they should have been placed hours before
Among the pleasant features Of the day the decora
;ion Of ErraguPs grave sunrise The Association Of
Veterans the Mexican War decorated the
of their dead comrades, and the Worth monument was
handsomely adorned. The monuments of Hunter May,
KimOal struthers. and many others. were decorated
The occasion was generally observed public and private
business being suspended and the buildings along the
principal streets adorned with national and for
eigu flags bunting and flowers.
AT UNION-sQUARE.
There was large gathering az UnOnsquare NJ early
morning. which place the procession was begin
Its march. The headquarters of Gen. Jardne the Grand
Marshal were at the Everett House. The granite base
when surrounds the statue of Lincoln Of
Towering plants pots. Woven in the evergreen sur
face white flowers the north side the motto,
Charity 10 ALL the south side, similarly inscribed,
the words Tribute OF Post 49, the west side the
center OF the broad green surface marked with
richly composed floral star The prOtruding central pen
tsgOn weathed in delicate White flowers, and above
tins a band of evergreens eight inches wde from
which variovs symmetrical points protruded hand
some bouquets On.the statue there only wreath
of laurel Crowds tronged around the monument after
the procession had passed to admire the decorations
The exercises here began at a. m, when Gen. John
Cochgane made the following address to the comrades
OF the Posts OF the Grand Army of the Republic:
We have come 10 commemorate our kindred dead
perhaps % retrieve the National deseneracy-2erhaps
kndie at the pie OF National martyrdom the hame Of
"A patriotism. Wherever within the precincts OF
the hight our comrdes are sleeping reverenthands shall
bring ana strew their graves win flowers Here we
begin the pous task. Here, where struggling from the
bosom OF the luxurious city the sculptured form OF Lin
coin ascends above It's injury and outrage We van our
banners and lnaugrate the ceremonies OK tue day 1t
sfttug the Post that bears his should
the Drowttng that at TINS sweet hour Of
prne we sAouG ere'ne our earnest ~ incense cen 20 sne
and endured the dire Of Behold the risen
h-nung al the scene IN his coming. The signal
presses, ana hasten strew with spray aud hOwe.
the elcy OF Abraham Lincoln in his station a. he hyed
ora store to decorate the graves OF soldiers san in the
Of country. As t departs let faction sleep euds
dissolve aud cnnties expire These flowers symhoZe life
ia bitterness. They plead TO IIs charities, not
TO il hates They gathered from ali TIE earth they
should DE - broadly treWu The dead do not Iehem-
bfr war; and thoughtful satesmanshp surely does not
JisapProye tie suggestion OF the heart that rec0nca
tiun with decorating tle graves OF both the
Union ana Confederate dead. Ihey ony noursh the
hards OF whose Interested schemes turn on them
rememnrance He does not exu!t IN vengeful spites.
Hs cherished ensgns make 10 record OF the resent
national catastrophe ana government has vet
found It's account IL commenordtinR its carnage Re
ure, then Us trophies. from tne national stndafas rug
martTred Iiproin let the gasSe 90 forth that with
malice toward none with charity for a fOld' ID equal
embrace all kndreus' ana races, and coOrs-the Bue,
the Gray, and the Black together
The procession formed Of four divisions OF the
Grand Army, with their respective bands, many car
riages invited guests and large wagon loads Of plants
and flowers. the whole headed by detachment of
mounted police and the Grand Marshal, with his staff.
Al ten O'Clock they were in motion down broadway,
accom- panied by usual throngs. Reaching Twelfth
ST.. the bands stopped playing, and Grace Church
chimes greeted them with numerous popular airs At
AsSf-pl bands resumed their duties halt
made a G.. P~uPs Church, aud Gen. MOntgomery's
monument was decorated. Trinity chimes vel
ana entered the chgrehyard Ihey were met by
thc Rev. Mr.. Htchluss aud Two accytes IN surpLces
Re mon
the Inflated Chesapeake, when was sunk by tue British
sIoop-9-ar slaalon, ,h Io-; Wa Is'Crateu t MIN
over grave OF Gen. kearney, who Is buried IN the
sr"n1a was 1acS several pots of flowers ana circle
white flowers. III which the name PM kearney I"
was wrought pnks fuschlas ground -wOrK Of
bT bar, with the inscription Mexico"
Tue Rev. Mr.. Hitcnngs read few collects from the
was lett on tablet placed in the wall the
vhuEen IN memory OF Capt Percival Drayton
AT CYPRESS HILLS.
South Ferry was reached at noon, ana special cars
were in waiting on the BROOKLYN side in which all we're
conveyed to Cypress Hills Cemetery. Here many friends
OF the dead and living soldiers and a large number
OF pieasure-seekers had been collecting since a. m
wbO arrival of the procession, occupied every
available place in he vicinity OF the rude stand which
had been erected lower part Of the soldiers
burial plot. Tnirty's hundred soldiers are buried
here Of whom the Confederate army. and
whom the names OF all but 10 are re- |
corded There Is no distinction in the |
head stones Dimnutive American hags were placed /
upon graves, which otherwise presents plain
The several divisions marched down the walk
front OF the stand aud formed in line along the side
pat hs liDes OF The cOIOr-DeaTers
tOok their taered ag TO the front Of the stand where
were assembled the officers aud their lady friends.
Gen Jardine spoke briefly, prayer was offered and Gen
Oseph G. Jackson delivered an Grafton AZ It's close
were grounds from the Exotic aud Botanic gardens
speedily set in each mound TWO OF three large bios
for some ays TO prevent the theft flowers since
last year ouy lew remained On tne graves - hours