Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-30

and CT those in other cemeteries adjacent 90 the
city with flowers was performed to-day under
the auspices of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. I he day was most auspici9us; not cloud
specked the blue empyrean, and the burning
rays of the sun were tempered by a delightful
breeze. The day was generally observed in
this city holiday. All the Government and
District Offices were closed, and many Of our
business houses suspended operations.
At Arlington.
THE BRAUTY OF THE GROUNDS.
Nature has used a lavish hand in making
Airing ton attractive. The sturdy oaks which cast
grateful shade, the green mantle OF grass which
carpets the undulating surface of the ground,
and tbe beauties which the eye encounters near
and far from almost every point of view com
DiRe to make it pleasant spot aside from its
associations. Few who visit Washington fail to
make a pilgrimage TO Arlington. To-day the
grand old manor was clad in the full garb OF
matured spring, the sun only here aud there
getting peep through the heavy foliage, while
The featheTed songeteTs made the woods ring
with their welcome carols.
The DECORATIONS.
The formal exercises we're held in the an.
phitheater, built about year ago. 1t is a circle
If considerable diameter, with raised seats Of
earth, covered with fresh, green grass The
.oot IL OF canvass, supported IN the center ana
u the perphry oy tall columns. To the west
: located the grand stand. This elab
JEditIy ueCOTSiCU WIN AmCrlCdu uags. which
we're caught up in graceful folds By eGtWinlngs
Of eyergreens. In the center was placed the
American shield, and directly under il the
badge OF the Army Of the Potomac. In front
If the auditorium was the inscription in box OF
. In memOrlam," On the east sat sixty or
pbans from the Soldiers and SailOIs' Orphan
Home, their canopy overhead being two large
American f8ss. with eyeTgreens pendant 10
he rear between two of the columns was an
.rch OF evergreen and flags, which bore the
motto, "Uur nations wards" The Marine band
vas posted or the left OF the stand, Wilde the
other portions OF the vast area were given up
% the public.
AT the main south entrance wasa double arch
If beautiful proportions, constr dcted OF hAgs,
eyeTgreens and natural flowers. AT the KEY
stone the Third corps badge, and beneath it the
inscription, "here rest our fallen brave" On
,itber side of the east front OF the ampithCatfe
banning the walks which fork from tue mansion
Jowsld II, were two other beautiful arches, one
eDcircling the badge of the Army Of the Cum
oeTlREd and the other the Army -. the Tonnes
zee Around the enclosure 70 tue loft Of the
mansion, which contain the graves of officers.
vas ieLce formed VI tass aud green box.
AT TIE TOMB or THE UNKNOWN DEAD
The American h-g vas en.wlnld ia graceful
folds, while the summit If the large granite
monument was laden with tue chO!Sest iorr
JneItugs.
The grounds of the estate and the mansion
give evidence OF the greatest care. Since las,
year tie walks Immediately in front OF the
louse have been Improved by several IRON vase.
CUM atI4uS pants anu lOWer6, lnClu ing the
;actus and century plant. PeEdtlt between
Zach Of the massive columns which support the
poTch are rustic baskets conf aiming rare p!auts.
In the center Is large rustic stand holding a
JAS case, III wElCh are rare plants, the feature
being one Of reddish tint-the ITa>ini8.
THK MARCH 20 THE CEMETERY.
at ten O'Clock this morning the members OF
he Grand Army Of the Republic, the orphans
Jf the Soldiers and Sailors Home, and a dele
,stiOn of patriotic ladies formed in procession
IN 10th street, the right resting on Pennsylvania
venue. Preceded by the marine band, thev
marched to coaches and other cOnyeyauces
eady TO receive them, and by way Of Peunsyl-
vania avenue and tue Aqueduct bridge pro
ceeded TO the cemetery. Soon thereafter a long
une Of carriages and vehicles OF every descrip-
ion thrODged each OF the bridges and roads, while
many persons repaired to the cemetery by
means of long boats running across the POto-
mac from the Long bridge. The arrangements
sor entrance and exit at the cemetery we're so
liked that the usual difficulties in this respect
heretofore encountered were o1viated, the
main entrance being used to go into the GENE
cry, and the gates az the west END as exits
DECORATING THE GRAVES.
AT II O'Clock procession, consisting of the
Executive committee OF the Grand Army Of the
Hepublic, the invited guests, the soldiers and
sailors orphans, and vast crowd of other per
sons, was formed in front OF the mansion, aad,
aeaded by the Marine Band, under Schneider,
Proceeded by the main read into the cemetery.
hey then separated, and the beautiful ONCE
If strewing the floral emblems was gona through
18th. One striking feature in connection with
his part OF the service was the planting, yes
reroay, Of mil iSturs American fags Oh each
grave. The tri- cOiored emblems ellivened in
no small degree the surroundings. Daring the
time occupied in strewng the graves the Ma
completion of the services, which took up over
an hour, the procession was reformed and
Tarched to the amphitheater.
TIE EXERCISES AT THE GRAND STAND.
even guns was fired by two twelve pound
pieces, under the command OF Lieut.. Dutton.
During its progress, the greater portion Of those
ON the grounds assembled In the amEhithestre.
on the grand stand was the President OF the
United States, members of his Cabinet, and a
goodly representation Of Senators and members
Of the House. Upon the conclusion of the firing
he Marine Band rendered in excellent style =
sele ction from Norma; after which Department
Commander f. IL. Sprsgue called the assembly
10 order with the following remarks:
REMARKS OF =. H. sPRAGUE, DEPARTMENT
COMMANDER.
Comrades: Time in its ceaseless roll has re-
corded another year, and once more we are a.
sembled in this beautiful Memorial Temple to
commemorate the deeds or our fslle n comrades
We meet In spirit of charity towards our late
oes, and yield 70 none In admiration of the
personsl bravery they displayed on tue many
battle fields upon which we fought but on this
cay we meet to pay homage to the deeds Of our
comrades, and to impress upon the people OF
luir cOunuy anu Inc love We bear
to the loyalty and devotion to principle ex-
hibited by them. 1t is to us a sacred day and
one OF which we feel jealous Of any intrusion
which seek to take from dead comrades
one particle OF the fame they won. We claim
that the time has not yet arrived when the
people of this republic should forget their low
atty and the sacrifices they made that we might
enjoy this most beautiful of all lands To us
many OF them were personal friends, who
marched and fought beside us In the long and
tedious campaigns OF the war, who shared our
blankets and last bareback and were ever
ready to share their all with us. Others NAV
forget them, bnt we never. And let us hope
that when we are passed away that the object
for which this day was established may be 80
firmly fixed in the hearts Of the people that thew
VIII take our places In performing this duty OF
love ard affection.
A prayer was then offered by Rev. @. H. Fay
In alludinR to the army and navy he invoked
the Divine blessing on them; also prayed that
"ail our people, north and south, east and west,
may. under the quickening impulse of Thy i'm
partial love, be joined in still closer union; and
by fidelity to Thee and to each other, and by q
right use Of the means Of growth thew enioy,
achieve the highest glory Of nations-intelii.
gence and Righteousness
A chorus was then sung by the orphans emit
tied, eve Have Laid Them Down TO Rest -
After which, j. p. Irvine read the following
original poem:
Arlington.
This u Arlington the hallowed,
And MAY 10 wo0ing June,