New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-31
BE THEIR GRAVES
DECORATION DAY AT CHALMETTE
THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT DEDICATED
GOVERNOR WARMOTH'S GRAFTON


for the paying of tributes of respect to the
honored dead, was observed with more
than usual solemnity in New Orleans The
day being propitious, bright and fair, the
attendance was quite large. The comfort
able and c0mmodious steamer La Belle
had been chartered by the committee of the
Grand Army Of the Republic, and at each
trip took down about three hundred per-.
sons.
The first trip of the La Belle was made
at eleven o'clock. Time was the object, but
unluckily landing had to be made opposite
jackson square to take on some belated
passengers. In affecting landing at this
point the La Belle rather roughly brushed
against the schooner Cecilia. The damage
however is trifing, the delay in landing
being the most Objectionable of the pro-
ceeding.
A short hours voyage down the great
river, past orange groves and fowery meads,
brought the party to Chalmette Cemetery.
Arrived there, large concourse of people
was found already assembled to do honor
to the heroes that "sleep the sleep that
knows no waking" The cemetery shows
marks of tender and watchful care. Super
intendent Carroll has made good use of the
means at his command, and has spared no
pains to make this burial place worthy of
the great cause that created it, and to per-
petuate forever the memory of those who
fought so gloriously to maintain the Union.
Joseph A. Mower Post No. had charged
themselves with the duty Of preparing the
cemetery for the cerem onies of the day,
and also of furnishing the means of trans
portation thereto and from the hallowed
ground.
The arrangements were quite complete,
and despite a tropical sun which beamed
down upon the heads of visitors like a flood
Of fire, everything was rendered as CON-
portable as could be desired. In the centre
of the burial ground pavilion had been
erected, composed Of national flags PEN
Dants and streamers. In the centre of this
shady alcove stands the granite shaft that
is to bear the symbolical insignia of the tri-
umphant Union arms. This shaft of solid
New Hampshire granite is section of what
was once pillar of the United States Gus
t,mhouse at this port. The pillar IN ques-
portion of the disman tied column is thus
made to do duty in commemorating the
virtues and bravery of the nations soldiery.
Who would have thought at that time that
the lightning's flash should have craven
on Northern stone the destiny of marking
forever the last resting place of the brave
and true defenders of the republic!
The granite shaft is eleven feet high, and
rests on a pedestal and base that lifts it
three higher. 1t is the intention of Joseph
A. Mower Post No. l to surmount the shaft
with appropriate symbols as taken from
each arm of the service. For instance,
drum, with cross cannons, and sabres, with
stack of muskets and battle flag. Some
such design as this it is their intent to have
set forth. As looking to the commemora-
ton of the gallantry and devotion of those
who fought in the ranks, this monument
can not be too highly appreciated. Planted
on historic ground-on the scene where the
fell invader was promptly batf1ed and put
to fight. the monument stands as me-
and the prowess of the past.
At twelve o'clock twenty-one minute
guns were fired by Captain Gray's company
OF Metropolitan artillery. Between the
hours of twelve and two o'clock the graves
were profusely decorated with floral trib-
utes and national emblems. At little
after two o'clock the special exercises of
the day were begun. Rev. Dr. E. I. Hooker
offered up a most fervent prayer Ex-Gov-
error II. c. Warmoth was then introduced
and spoke as follows:
Comrades, ladies and gentlemen-I do
not know that the practice of celebrating
this anniversary with such military and
civic display, looking at it in the light of
sound craftsmanship and with view to
the healing of painful wounds engendered
in a conflict between fellow citizens is wise,
or not But while the heart OF the nation
is fresh with its grief for her fallen sons,
and gratitude for their services is 80 warm
in her memory, the impulse is irresistible
70 display with ostentation the veneration
we bear for the dead. and the sacrifice they
have made that our country might retain
its form of government and the people the
liberty and protection guaranteed by its
laws.
In these graves are laid the bodies of
many Thousand young men, who enlisted
in the ranks Of the Union army from twenty
seven different States of the Union to meet
the tide of war which threatened to engulf
the country in disunion and rum. Leaving
their homes, their mothers, wives and chill
dren, with hearts buoyant with hope, fear
less and joyous, they marched under the
flag to the music of the Union to fight. to
die and to fill these soldier graves. To-day,
as survivors of the great conflict and as
comrades in arms, we come to do the hon.
age of the republic and to substitute our
selves for the loved ones they left at home,
70 strew with flowers and bedew with tears
their graves.
In every war there are two sides. One is
right and the other is wrong. 1t is hardly
possible for both sides to be right Yet it
is sometimes difficult yea, almost impos.
sibe for us at the time to determine which
is right.
In this determination we are influenced
by considerations as various as the motives
and impulses OF man-conviction as to the
questions involved, personal interest in the
issues. pride of State, of section, prejudice
against the other States or sections, educa-
ton, habits or methods of thought, climate,
temperament associations, personal attach
ment for leaders. and influenced by the elo-
auence or argument of hitherto accepted
oracles misconception as to the purposes of
the other side, affected by apprehension, by
fear the general unanimity of sentiment,
confident of our own prowess and encour-
aged by belief in our easy success and
that beyond it. but through it, could any
compromise be effected honorable to both
sides-all tend to control the individual and
the community. A just and proper regard
for our weaknesses and full appreciation of
the influences which we know would CON
troll us, should make us charitable toward
those whom the stern decree Of fate decides
against.