New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-03
All Saints' Day.

AAO VAU tA0C CuStOW WAAOA Asso UOCA wv
served in New Orleans for 90 many years,
that Of decorating the graves of our dead
on the first day Of November, . day known
to the Catholic church as All Saints Day,
prevailed on Sunday with its usual display
of floral tributes. The appropriateness of
the ceremony is recognized by those OF all
creeds, and the fact that the anniversary
this year came upon Sunday, gave an ad-
ditiOnal air of sanctity to tho willing offer
ings. From early morn untn night-fall
thropgs of living human beings wended
their way to and from the homes of the
dead. The old and the young. all nation
alities and colors joined in the " ak, for all
have their dead. The strong man and in
valid, widow and orphan. bore thither
flowers and wreaths, and returning came
burdenlees and sad faced as they had re-
turned before when was carried the precious
remains of loved ones.
This sight of tomb decorating on All
Saints day is not then novel one TO our
people. but it ever is a new spectacle
to the stranger that is within our
gates. Many Of the scenes harmonic
but i'll with the poetry Of songs for the
dead. For instance, where artificial flowers
and paper or glass bead wreaths are sold at
the entrances of the cemeteries and pinned
to tomb doors for the mere showing before
the people. the act seems not to satisfy The
heart of the giver or spectator. There is
always too much show Of grief. A heart
full to breaking sinks like lead. Sorrow
writes itself on quiveriDg lips. in fearful
eyes, silently on faces
"Whsso more il meant than ,neets the ear"
The immortelles. simple natural flowers,
such as are for remembrance. seem most
fitting offerings to the voiceless dead. These
were seen in profusion at the Lafayette
Cemetery. on Washington avenue. and in
many other places.
The old St. Louis Cemetery was, perhaps.
more generally visited by the mere lockers.
on. The tombs of the Italian and Portu-
guese benevolent societies were elaborately
decorated, and from their tops vere pend
ing the banners of tho socie ties, draped in
mourning; and here the living were remem-
'bered with the dead, and collections we're
made for the widow and orphan.
The cemeteries at the Ridge were also
thronged, including the Cypress Grove and
Firemen's, and the Odd Fellows Rest op-
pOsite. There were also beau tiful decora-
tions seen at the Green nwood Cemetery. In
Greenw wood is the tomb of the Typographi-
cal Union Society. which had received pro.
per attention from the friends of those rest
ing there. ...
At many Of the Catholic churches special
services were held connected with The cere.
monies attending All Saints Day. To the
Christian believer came . satisfaction. in
thinking that those who have gone before
them in some way could know of the pray
ers offered up for che absent ones. The
dead whose tombs we now bestrew with
flowers were once as we are, an1 did for
other dead what we are doing now. And
it can not be forgotten that We must coon
be with the dead. in silence. Who will
come after us with - flower or tears
1t was not the purpose OF this notice 70
describe the appearance Of all cemeteries
and tombs in our city on Sunday. The
story has been often told. and yearly Re.
mains to be told again. This custom Of
decoration graves is one Of the few sustoms
in which the Inhabitants Of this in many
ways strange city all agree. AL bitterness
Of feeling in races. religions, families or
parties stop at the grave. The direst foe
man lifts his hat as the inanimate enemy Is
borne past. Men come into the world, in
nocent. uubiasea. They 60 out of it, and
they can take no prsjudice with them. The
beginning and the end. the Joan Of q soul
and its recall is Gods work.
Let All Saints Days be ever observed in
this way. Remembering the dead who can
have no differences. the disagreements of
the living can be forgotten. The same flow.
ers fall upon the last resting places Of the
Union and Confederate soldier, because the
beautiful things Of nature are for all. When
entire good feeling comes to all in this
land these tributes will not be Influenced by
such divisions as the blue or gray, Protest
ant or CathOlc--the immortelle flower Of
and the tear of sorrow will be I
guided alike to all-all Of the noble dead.
whom we loved and who loved u.