New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-06-01
VOLUME K.--NO. 45.
DECORATI DAY
CEREMONIES AT CHALMETTE

Sunday was observed here as day fol
| decorating the graves of Union soldiers al
| Chalmette Cemetery. The weather was mos,
| favorable, and all through the day crowds Of
living people passed in and out through the
portals of that village of the dead, which
| rests upon the historical site Of the old Jack
Orleans. Never has the annual decoration
of graves here been so we'll attended as on
Sunday last. The occasion appeared to
have enlisted the sympathy of all who felt
regard for the Union soldier. There were
seen at the cemetery men of all political
parties, and some who had fought under the
Confederate banner, each bearing fora]
tribute to the memory of soldiers who had
gone before.
The ceremonies, as usual, were conducted
under the auspices Of the Grand Army of
the Republic. The spacious excursion
steamer La Belle made four trips to the
cemetery during the day, each time loaded
with ladies and gentlemen Of the city. The
Thirteenth Infantry was represented by
Lieutenant Colonel II. A. Morrow, and
subordinate officers, and the band of that
regiment furnished delightful music on the
boat. General Augur's staff was repre-
sented by Captain Luke O'Reilley, and
the navy by Commander C. A. Babcock,
and all officers of the Canonicus who
could be spared from their duties on
board ship. On the twelve o'clock down
trip of La Belle she landed at Jackson
Barracks and took on board the Third In
fantry and band, commanded by Lieuten
ant Colonel John X. Brooke. This regi-
ment paraded on the grounds of the ceme-
terry without arms, and it's band furnished
appropriate music for the ceremonies of
decoration. The cemetery appeared to
have been well kept by Superintendent
P. Carroll. The emerald turf was closely
shaven along the streets of the dead, show
ing block of white marble at each resting
place. The tender blades of grass seemed
greener over the graves than elsewhere,
and the marble tablets were all the whittier
for the contrast. Both were as if to show
in stronger oolors Gods life for a life, and
the purity of mans memory for his dead
fellows. The flag Of our country dropped
at half-mast at the entrance of the GENE
terry, and the flag staff was adorned to the
top with evergreen. On one side of the
main walk had been erected platform,
and in front of it were placed large num-
Der of benches for the accommodation of
an audience, which was sheltered from the
sun by canvas and flag stuff covering. The
oral exercises commenced at one o'clock
preceded by short prayer made by Rev
j. s. Leavitt.
1t became the duty of Captain Yorke A.
Woodward, post commander, Grand Army
of the Republic, to present the speaker OF
the day. He said:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades-Be.
fore performing the simple duty which
brings me before you at this time, it is right
for me to say how heartily We appreciate
your presence here. Your visit tells us in
significant tones that your sympathy vet
rests with the widows and orphans who
were made such by the sacrifice of other
and dearer lives upon our country's altar.
Your sympathy has just been eloquently,
tearfully, silently expressed in the beautiful
NOU VI PIdCiuS uUWcT5 Oh LILO Aal-
lowed graves about us. The act tells us
that you have not forgotten the comrades
who stood side by side with us in more try
ing times, and the emblems YOU have
brought here tell how kindly you cherish
Of the gallant dead. Your atten-
tiOn also tens the living over again that |
hey who go down to death for their coun-
try do not die unhOnored or in vain. The |
'hirtieth OF May, the day agreed upon by |
- nvporo Hnc mott nal t.
came to-day marked among the Sabbaths |
If the year. We could see nothing in our |
iuties here inconsistent with the proprieties |
II the day, and did not postpone our cere- |
monies. 1t seems holy duty for the living
o eulogize the noble deeds of the virtuous |
lead, and for that sad, religious duty, we
re here this holy Sabbath morning. Thank
ng you again tor your presence and kindly
ympathy, conclude my portion of the
'olonel William Wright.
Colonel Wright said:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades-In
bedieDce to the rules of the Grand Army
f the Republic, and in discharge of an an
ual honor paid by that patriotic body, in
OmmOn with the kindred organization, the |
merican Union Club, we are here tc -day
, carry out the reverent and beautiful
flee OF decorating the graves Of our fallen
Omrades.
The custom, although fresh to us, has had
long line of procedure. 1t is no unmeaning |
for We read that in the early
ays OF the Roman republic, men-old and |
Oung-vied with the matrons and maidens |
| doing honor to the memory of those who !
ad fallen in battle. The helmet and shield |
ere used as a decoration, to be placed
pom the well kept mounds that covered !
le remains of the soldiers who fell in de-
nse of the government.
What q grand sight it is to see persons of
'ery age and condition of life mingling
gether, and forgetting the bitterness Of
10 past, in rendering memorable the bril-
mt deeds OF those whose lives were freely I
lated in the military history of France G
at, for all time to come, the grand and Z
owing tribute to the bravery of La Tour O
'Auvergny, the first grenadier of France, n
all be fully carried out; that on each re-
rring annual muster of the regiment, and !,
hen his name is called, the oldest soldier .
the organization steps to the front-pro- q
unces the name, "Ls Tour D'Auvergny"
)icd on the field of honor" May we not say g.
3 same OF these, our comrades, who are at n
It here9 As their names are called to-day a
reply, "Died on The field of hon0r'" f,
AZ to the origin of the custom OF decorat- o
!, graves, an old English chronicle relates e
1t among the many customs which have N
On handed down from early times, one of al
most beautiful. simple and POLITICALLY W
nbolic was that of carrying garlands be u
g the corpses of unmarried women on h
'ir way to the grave, and then hanging ci
the garlands ia the church as q memento nj
the dear departed one. y.
his pretty custom was observed in most pt
'ts OF England, and in Derby shire, that di
d of wild and beautiful scenery, where ca
,nants of old customs, of popular beliefs m
superstitiOns, and OF the habits of past n
erations still linger about its mountains M
it's dales, its farms, its halls and it's st