The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-06-01
DECORATION DAY.
Services at the National Gem.
etery ut Grafton.
Elequent Address by Hon. X. IL
Cochran OF Wbeeifpg.
Special Correspondence oithe Register.
GRAFTON, May 80.


Cochran OF Wbeeifpg.
Special Correspondence oithe Register.
GRAFTON, May 30.
Editors OF the Register.
The graves in tie National Cemetery
at this place, were decorated TO day
with the usual services. At2 o'clock
p. N. the crowd which had been up to
that hour collecting in town, repaired to
the Fair Ground, where preparations
had been made for the exercises. The
Floral Hall, prepared for the occasion
with seats and speakers stand, was
soon filled to overfowing by an audi
ence which has not, perhaps, been ex'
cslled in numbers by any previous
similar gathering at this place.
The exercises we're commenced with
prayer by Rev. R. A. Blackiord, o'
Clarksburg. Following the prayer
were a few remarks by General Flem-
ing, the Marshall OF the day, after
which Judge R. II. Cochran, OF your
city, was introduced to the audience
and spoke as follows:
JUDGE CocHRAN's ADDREss.
Ny Fllo,o Citizens:
Another year has gone into the bis.
tory OF each life and nation, since the
people OF our country assembled al
the graves OF our brethren to pay flora
tribute 10 the memory OF the dead.
Another year with its lessons Needed
or forgotten, brings the heart OF the
nation with one great ,hrob to Gods
green acre, to reap a harvest for the
soul and feed upon reflection.
Let us on this Pentecostal day sp-
proach the pleasant duties OF this
sacred hour, with thoughts attuned
and affections glowing. and. ccmmun-
ing with each other, let us realize that
ODE toueh Of kindness makes the whole
world kin, and that like as a father
pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth
them that fear him" and delight in
doing good.
On this day ofall others it is in this
epir;t OF national brotherhood and
kindness that desire to speak and to
to be heard.
Deeper than the bones OF these dead
lie, let all our hates be buried; high as
their immortal souls have flown. let
our affections rise; broad as was the
measure OF their devotion, let our char
tiles abound; varied as the ideas and
motives impelling them to dare and
die, let kindly acts be done heroicslly
as they died and peacefully as they
sIum Der let us resolve to live
Though the shock OF ideas be marked
as was the shock Of arms, yet the
CON bataBts1 arc bruihrrs sil, and
friends, and the world is better for the
fray.
In attempting to select words appro-
pirate 10 this occasion, one is 30 over
whelmed with floods OF fond affection
and recollection" that practical utter
ance seems impossible and only sllence
golden.
In memory we live again the
ages OF the last thirteen
years-we zee strong men leav-
ing the comforts OF home, the smiles OF
wife and the charms Of childhood for
the rigors OF the bivousc aud camp.
The citizen schoo'ed only in the arts
OF peace is transformed into q soldier to
make and meet the shock of war A
war not for booty nor Tor territory, but
Tor an idea-ior love of constitutional
liberty; men conscientiously schooled
in different creeds 10 hold and transmit
q common inheritance took different
sides.
WHAT MAKES A TRUE SOLDIER.
Nothing but a moral sense OF duty
could have impelIed men to the con-
fllcts and keld them to the endurance
Witnessed in the war in which these
sIeepers were heroes. 1t was not hate (;
Oh no. Hate OF a fellow mortal makes
no man q soldier. In proportion as
the moral traits are cultivated and lift @.
ed up, will true courage develop and
hatred disappear.
I have seen strong men bending to
the storm OF battle have seen them
mangled aud torn by the bullet and
shell have seen them in the agonies
OF death | have seen their dead faces
on the bloody grave-the blue and the
gray. o. their faces | have seen pain,
peace, quiet repose and kindred expres-
sions, but never on that index OF the
soldier'e eoul did l see an expression
OF hate.
We are here to day to forget the ills
and 10 remember only the good in the
past--to recall with bowed heads the
nnselfish devotion OF those who died
that liberty might not perish from
earth
Within the recollection OF each OF
us here assembled-saye these bright
children OF the later yesrs-tbeir
colder life began and ended. The
soldier in blue went out to maintain
the integrity OF the Union, hopefully
carrying and following the dear old
flag, his emblem OF constitutional liber-
ty. To maintain aud perpetuate the
privileges we now enjoy. and 10 hasten
the peace which now illumes the sky
be gave the 4ast full measure OF his
devotion.
The soldier in gray, turning sadly
from the banner his infant lips were
taught TO bless, feeling now that it TO
him is the symbol Of oppression, goes
out under q new banner, his chosen
emblem OF liberty.
Each pledges all, dsres all, sscrifces
all, and dying no doubt feels with the
ina mortal Hale ~ lament that have
but one life to lay down for my
country" ...'.
NEITHER DIED IN VAIN.
Neither OF them died IL vsin-their