Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-05-29

The turf that i over them pred;
And natures tears-the dews 81 night
all silently over their head.
Their bones commingle in common clay.
And re rude hand snail sever
The soldier II lUe from the soldier in gray,
TIL tucle no more their ,lumiers .hsil break.
When fame their rriic- are keeping:
Put the FIRST soft Sigh of spring shall awake
Tie Wild howers over them Sleeping.
In accordance with the annual custom
since the close Of the late civil war. the beau
tiful ceremony of decorating the graves OF
Union soldiers at Arlington and other GENE
teres in this vicinity was performed 10 day
Nature was most propitious. The air was
balmy with the perfumes Of spring buds and
flowers. Not cloud specked the sky. and a
grateful breeze tempered the rays OF the sun
All the offices Of the general AMI city govern
ments were closed, as well the banks anc
many of the business houses. Flags were
displayed from the public buildings hotels
and other places, and the city had holiday
look throughout the day.
At Arlington.
This grand old manor was to-day clad i'm
the bright green garb of maturcd spring
The towering oaks with their heavy foliage
Afforded delightful shade. The merry chirp
OF birds resouuded from every uoint Toe eS-
tate shows visible Improvement over its
cOndltlon last year The walks have been
graEeiled and rolled, the grass evenly cut
while flowers of all hueS have been planted
an an are IN full bloom. The Wei, with its old
oaken bucket, a reminder OF primitive days
has Giyen way TO pump.
THE DECORATIONS
were rot as lavish today as last year. This
was owing to a scarcity of bunting. nearly
all the flags usually stored here being in
Concord, where they did service at the Lex
IngtOn Centennial, and have not since been
returned. EVen with these disadvantages.
however, the committee displayed great
taste. To begin with the mansion: First. the
old flag of the Union tiOated from the flag
star, Pendant from the ceiling OF the pOrtico,
between each Of the massive columns. were
rustic baskets OF rare flowers in bloom. over
the main entrance was a FLAG. capped with
shield. At the amphitheater the grand stand
was handsomely feStOOned with a profuSiOa
of flags and CvergreenS, two large flags.
looped IN folds, covering the front, and
crowned at the cap with the American shield.
Ia front were the letters in green box ain
MemOriam.' Facing this in the rear were two
flags, under which sat the orphans of the sol
diers' and sailors Orphans Home. Above
was the inscription, THE Nations Wards
In addition, wreathS and crosses were sus-
pended IN profuse variety at proper points
around the circle. There was also a number
Of small shields bearing the names of dead
heroes of the late war. These included Lyon
Baker, kearney, Reynolds, Meigs. Dahlgren.
Mcpherson, Reno. W3dSwOrth, and others
AT the entrance TO the main road was a hand
some arch of flags and evergreenS. under
which all carriages passed on their way 70
the stand.
But the most lavish display was reserved
for the tomb OF the unknown dead. This was
most beautifully decorated, and the design a
HAPPY one, which consisted OF a canopy OF
American flags. forming complete Siblev
tent The base Of the tomb served as the trf-
poo, while a cedar pole, feStConed with small
iags and evergreens, reached from the apex
OF the canopy TO the pyramid of cam, nails
upon me tomb, thus ho..alug IL in position.
me ,af2: stonA Covering the remains of mp
NaIuS OF three thousand unknown heroes
"a> pIoiuSely laden with cut flowers of every
description.
To THE CEMETERY.
As early As 10 O'Clock this morning the
roild> l.eading TO the cemetery were lined
VIII carriages. and continued so IN to the
| exercises. There were not as many persons
| on the grounds 4 ON previous years, owing
probably TO the fact that there were several
/ excursions and plc-nics down the river, up
! the river. and across country, which were
! participated in by large number of our
! citizens. Excessive tolls at the AQueduct
| bridge were eXacted, and caused cOnsidera-
/ bic embarrassment TO many who had sup
posed travel. would be free. and had not
| come prepared To face the gatekeeper. Many
! went over IN boats from /, tn street. walking
! from the landing on the opposite shore to the
! grounds. The arrangements for entrance
| and exit We're admirably fixed, and caused
! no embarTass
DECORATING THE GRAVES.
! At II O'Clock procession, consisting Of the
/ executive committee OF the GRAND Army OF
! the Republic. the invited guests, the orphan
. children, and large number of others.
, formed in front OF the mansion. and preceded
! by the Marine band, marched by the main
| road into the cemetery. They then separated
| and began the strewing OF the graves. In al
| dltion 10 the floral decoration, each mound
! had planted upon II a miniature Amer can
/ flag. During the time occupied i'm Srravying
! the graves the Marine band played several
| dirges. Alter the completion Of This service,
aHfafsg rfaF 20
! was reformed and marched To the amphi-
| jheateT
/ TIE MEMORIAL EXERCISES.
! Precisely at one o'clock national salute
/ OF thiTty-seyen guns was fired. During its
/ progress the greater portion Of those on the
! grounds assembled in the phitheateT. On
! the grand stand was the President of the
! United States, members of his cabinet. and
/ others distinguished in public and private
! NE. Upon the conclusion Of the firing Of the
! salute the Marine band played an aria from
! Attia; after which, Department Commander
! James I. Smith called the assembly to order
| IN appropriate and we'll chosen remarks.
! Then followed prayer by Rev. Russell y. Bel
/ lows. which WAS succeeded by a beautiful
/ ode well sung by the orphans, entitled Dee
! Grafton Hymn" n chorus of male voices.
/ ufTier the direction of Prof. Carl Richter
| then sang a selection; after which Rev j. f.
! Rankin reclted with excellent effect the fol-
! lowing original poem:
ELEGY AT ARLINGTON.
/ These are thy waters broad. Potomac fair
And these thy skies of blue Vir.inia proud,
Ana thus l. Arlington, we fearful crowd,
| L he &c ad around, this day, tender care
| For here, again, amid the green leafed May.
tread anew each silent walk and shade;
! This Sabbath Stiffness reYerentIy invade,
/ Ard spring FIRST bloom upon their dust we lay
! Sweet Arlington from yonder city seen.
Thy porch projecting mid the grand old trees
The nation banner lifted with each bTeeZs;
| No shrine more sacred than thy tempted green
| This is the bivouac of the nation dead
Tom 10 more a steaiihy Toe steals TO surprise;
The nation 5 hand prepared each soldier bed.
/ More hsllowed these, tn an dim cathedral aisIes
here tinted windows let the sunlight through:
Here Spring still comes, Earths greenness to
renew;
| Through ripping foliage fair Summer plays;
Here, Autumn sprnkles late her leaves Of gold
Her leaves Of crimson, fit for Glory's bed;
And Winter comes, to drape each hero 8 head,
| Beneath snow white pail stainless and cold.
And here the soldiers widow walks alone,
Her God and country now her only trust:
Or, children seek to fird their fathers 1ust.
1 Ori strangers pause above some dust unknown
/ These were the heroes, that to battle came
A. call OF him. our sad eyed President:
The young, the brave from hopes fair future rent,
| with patriot pulse, and bosom all afame
! hear, again, the whii ring of the drum,
| N ofl fbac f-vfs