Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-05-16
DECORATION DAY.
A Large Crowd in Attendance
at ElmwOOds
The Graves OF the Confederate Dead
Covered with FlOwers-Ora-
tiOn OF General G.
w. Gordon.

This morning large crowd of ladies
and gentlemen visited Elmwood ceme-
terry for the purpose of celebrating that
charming anniversary, Memorial Day.
The graves of the Confederate dead were
covered with heavens choicest flowers,
and the crowd assembled around the
grand stand, when Rev. Mr.. Boggs de-
livered most appropriate prayer. AT
the conclusion Of the prayer General
G.. W. Gordon delivered the following
chaste and elegant address:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Much has been said from time to time,
here and elsewhere, relative TO the pro-
priety, or rather improperly, of orations
on these solemn occasions. Such de-
ponds, in my view, upon the spirit pur-
pose and significance of what is said, and
whether or not it responds to the de-
mands of such an occasion. And under
these conditions hold that they are not
only entirely proper and becoming, but
that they are duty; and while so
affirm, should never be disappointed il
not called to oficiate in position for
which feel myself so inadequately fitted
| as that which / have here assumed, yet
/ should be greatly disappointed in my
own heart if did not entertain deep
and enduring desire to contribute my
feeble assistance in alternating the
sacred purposes of these beautiful man.
| ifestations.
But say those who question their pro-
priety under all conditions: What is
the use of all this?" To such l reply,
we come not here to talk about the use
of things, nor to materialize in any res
pect whatever. We came through feel
ing, memory gratitude, love and sorrow
through the promptings of all those
noble and exalted sentiments that rise
far above the cold, selfish questions Of
materiality and utility. But they say,
"all this can avail nothing now; you had
better forget all that reminds you of a
dark and tragic past" And couse
quently forget our dear and holy dead.
What a rehection 1t is painful beyond
expression. Forget them who forgot
themselves for you, for me and for the
land they loved2 Oh, no, no, we cant
forget them, and don't ask US to do it.
my buried friends can / forget,
And must the grave eternal severn
They linger in my memory yet,
And in my heart will live forever.
They loved me once with love sincere,
And never did their love deceive me:
But often in my conflicts here.
They rallied quickly to relieve me-.
And again they tell us, 1T is bad
policy TO continue these demonstrations
Of respect and honor to the worth and
virtues of the noble dead" Policy,
policy, policy. Oh, / have grown heart
sick and soul-Weary of that word. Now,
/ understand and appreciate what it
means when applied to the ordinary
measures of political craft; but when it
comes to mean las it seems it has) the
extinction of all principle, the abandon
ment of all manhood and the oblivion of
all that is nearest and dearest to our
hearts and memories, have no sort of
consideration for it. And besides, there
is no power this side of the great throne
of God, political or otherwise, that has
the right or that can dictate human feel
ing and human affeetion-none that can
tell us what we shall love and what we
shall not None, none, none. Nor is
any such sought to be exercised, at
tempted or even threatened. True, you
say, that at Arlington and some other
places, the graves of our dead have been
violently robbed of affections gentle
offerings and sorrowing ones driven from
their presence. But would remind
you that there are spectators everywhere
throughout the earth who do not even
hold the grave sacred. But such are not
representatives of their race. And do
not for one moment believe, and indeed |
| may say that kRoU that such pro-
ceedings find no approval in the hearts |
and minds of the Northern people. |
And as evidence of this, l refer you to |
those beautiful and affecting ceremonies
that took place in Mobile few weeks |
since, in which Federals aud Confede.
rates united in testimonials Of honor to
our dead. The Northern people honor
their dead, and l should think less of
them if they did not. 1t is our right and
privilege, then, to talk about our dead. |
We are proud of them and love to honor
them in their ashes. 1t is our duty to
talk about them, and its neglect would
be PROCLAMATION. 'Tis a consolation to
speak of them, and if it does not make
us wiser or greater, trust their exam
pies will make us truer and better
We meet then, not in the spirit Of
exultation, hut that of sffeetionate sor-
row-of gratitude, that beautiful mem.
DRY Of the heart. We come, not to
discuss questions of material signif-
canoe, or to revive political animosities
or sectional antipathies, but for
nobler and a holier purpose-to weep
over fallen truth and buried worth.
And here we would pause to state that
we do not expect you to sympathize
fully with our own emotions upon this
occasion. The measure of feeling upon
this subject is largely due to the tenn
peramental and constitutional peculiar
tiles of individuals, and we shall not
criticise you if you do not enter wholly
into our own feelings. But at the same
time we ask you not to charge las has
been done) those of us who buried the
best parts Of our hearts with our dead,
as indulging a morbid sentimentality on
his subject Ii to love and remember
hose who loved us and lost all for us,
whose hearts once pulsated with the
lame blood that animates our own; if to
70 for one little hour in twelve long