The Van Buren press., 1875-06-01
DECORATION DAY.
Splcnid Tribute to the Nations Dead.

Last Thursday. the day chosen as the one
for the decoration of the graves of the 'on-
federatr dead, the sun lifted its head above its
crimson curtained couch in the east arrayed
in the glist and glow OF royal splendor as
though it would battle, with its old-hecker-
cred beams. the sods that pressed the bosoms
of the blessed dead. whose memories, on
that tay, were to be re-enshrined in the hearts
of our people. "Old Sol. from his rosc-hueo
bed had scarcely riscn," when the hurry ing TO
and fro of matron alike with lassic fair, who
bore in their hands their floral tributes, loan
ed to our pretty town an air OF winning
grace Fair. ready hands, had, during the
week, been busy in the necessary prephra-
tjons, and now that the blessed day had come
everything was in readiness. with nothing
left undone. that could possibly n'ar the sub
Unity Of the occasion. About half past sew
en- o'clock large number of people had as
sembled at the Court House, anxiously await
ing the formation of the procession. In the
meantime. the knights Of Pytlias, wearing
their gaudy uniform, and mounted on pran-
cling steeds, made their appearance "n onr
Newell aud formed at the foot of Min street
awaiting the orders o! Marshal DrtnncIi'
About nine O'Clock tie band marched down
TO Col Ncwell's command, which fell IN AS
they moved up the street to the soul-sur-
ing strains of that good old song. Gear TO eve
nv American heart, Hail Columbia the
Odd Fellows and then the Masons took their
places In the procession, each lodge arrayed
In its beautiful rcgala. A couple of little
boys, bearing an appropriate banner follow :
ed by the Mayor and Town Council led the
procession. Arriving at the COURT House. the
column halted. and the ladies composing The
committee on decoration, fell into line, lhe
orators Of the day took their places III the
column, and, to the command OF Marshal
Drennen. Forward March, the procession
moved on to the heart-touching music of that
old song, emba,ned with wreath Of delic'
ious memo les In the breast OF every man ana
woman In the land. "Oh Columbia, the gem
Of the ocean, The Knights of Pythias we're
formed In lines on each side Of the advancing
column. as guard of honor. What de.
llrium Of delightful thoughts ran riot in the
brains. not only OF these who walked In the
procession. but OF those who looked upon the
moving mass Of beauty. II was dear. u
glorious sight and no one who witnessed 1t,
and, for moment, me1itatcd upon its cause
and meaning. could fail to be thrilled with a
delight almost supernatural in its fcrror. 1t
meant q dcthronrmcnt of malice and ill-will,
In both sections of our country. an entombng
Of the scenes and unholy memories of the
past. and II resurrection to new life and vigor,
of the long somnolcnt angel of amity and
concord.
On arriving at the point where the column
turned toward the stand, just above the grave
yard, the band played Websters Funeral
March" as a r,quiem-dirge and lament for
the storied braves" who slept In patriots
graves After the platform was filled by those
who were entitled to seats upon 1t, the chair
man announced the order of exercises. Mu-
sic by the band, Pleyers Hymn. Prayer
by Rev. Mr.. Hunter. u fervent and eloquent
appeal to the Creator Of heaven and earth for
blessings upon the cause for which they had
met; for u restoration Of peace and unity to
all parts Of our native land, and for the pros
perity and good Of all sections of our com
try. 1t was II touching petition. and brought
tears to the eyes Of many in that vast throng
May He who hears prayer graciously answer
each entreaty Of that petition, Is the earnest
wish OF every true patriot. Music bv theband
Amer which Col. Loekhart delivered a neat
address which we give below:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN have been very
kindly invited to say something on this occasion,
in behalf Of those who wora the blue in the late
war, and although the bodies of the federal sol
diers have been removed from this cemetery, yet
with kindly hearts and willing hands we jun
YOU. day, ia decorating the graves of those who
scaled with their lives their devotion to the cause
they adopted,
From every city in this broad Union we learn Of
the federas and confederates uniting il this labor
Of love. These memorial observancss are contrib
uting largely to bring about an actual reconcilia.
ton Of tre northern and southern sections Of this
great nation then let do nothing to keep alive
the passions Of the war. To study its lessons, is
prudence, 10 profit by its teachings, is good, to
stir up its animosite en- is maine $. We have now
more peace and order. hope and confidence, than
ct any rme since the close Of the wat Let ue
hape that il will increase, and that in every see.
ton Of our country We will come TO know each
other better, and love each other more. We have
great country. We have proved ourselves, in
peace and war, brave people. United we stand
again,t the world. and united believe we are to
be; and it is the duty Of every patriot and chris
tiaA TO bind every section of the land together in
bonds Of love, affection aad interest. When these
ceremonies shall have passed away, ard we retire
TO our homes. who shall say how many hearts
have Ached aud how many eyes have grown sal
AID dim with thoughts Of the pasts How many
mothers have sadly turned away. and, with hearts
filled with anguish, have wept for the fair haired
hoy. over whose grave many summer.skcs have
shined, and tropical flowers have bloomed.
Never again will the eloquent eyes beam with
1--we on her whose pride he was nevermore will
the lips utter the word mother. Silent in death
the voice whose lightsst tones were melody 10 her
sar.
Unhecded alike the sound Of the rcville, the bu-
gles bare, 1.-THE quick spoken word OF command, Ie
din and hustle of the hurrying throng. They can
never reach or waken him who sleeps where the song
bird 6is. and the fragrance Of the orangcblossoms
perfumes, the air around his grave. Nothing remains
for her but sad remembrances, Memory ever busy,
goes back to the time when he. lttle care free
child clapped his dutiful hands in gec to other
throngs, with waving lumes and prancing stceds,
swesp BY. How little did she dream. then, in til osc
happy days of the desolation that would oyershad-
ow her heart; how little dream that ho her idol
would at last sleep in death, with the fair brow she
SO tendsry caressed. isfgured and b,ackened with
the dust and smoke of battle, while his heart blood
bedewed the turf on which he lay. Merciul, indeed,
are the ways OF Providence that vouehsafcs TO NOR
tsls no glimpse Of what the future may have in
Ne knowledge OF the lonely grave in foreign lands,
that mothers care and love would never hallow,
ed marred the happiness Of those blest hours. En-:
ough that, in latsryears, her heart would be wruna
with anguish that bitter, scaiding tears should in
the dreary watch of many lingering night, be shed
upon the pillow whose soft lu uxuriance could ne ei
produce sleep. or lull into orgetfulne To her the
pageant 81 to-day is mockery. bringing back, with