The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1875-04-30
MEMORIAL DAY.
A Large Gathering of People and
Bounteous Scattering of Flowers
Capt. John Milledge's Address.

perform the DeautlIui snhual CuSloIh
of floral decoration of the Confeder>
ate graves.
At 50 o'clock, the procession,
moved cut from the city park, head
ed by the Marietta Silver Cornet
Band and followed by Mayor and
Council, Faculty and Pupils of the
Marietta Female College, Odd Eel
lows, Good Templars and Citizens.
The Band struck up lively piece
and the large procession wendell its
way to the silent city of the dead,
where repoSe the martyred heroes OF
the "LoSt Cause" Already assem-
bIed on the ground was large
crowd, gathered in advance of the
procession, swelling the Number to a
considerable multitude, composed of
gray haired fathers and mothers,
youths and maidens, girls and boys,
all actuated by the same sacred duty
of love and homage.
Each section had its wreathed
banner bearing the inscription of the
State where enlisted the fallen
braves. The speakers stand was
we'll arranged and festooned with
evergreens, bearing the significant
motto-"PEACE !"
The exercises were opened with
prayer by Rev, f. BalnwelI, of the
Episcopal Church. Col. James W.
Robertson introduced the speaker
in very appropriate and beautiful
thoughts, touchingly recalling a
pleasant "reminiscences, when twenty
two years ago, he as teacher and
Capt. Alilledge as cadet, were asso"
ciatcd together in the Georgia Mills
tary Institute, little expecting that
in the future, after a fearful war, he
would be called upon to introduce
his pupil, now distinguished and hon
orcd IS one of GeOrgia's ablest sons,
to an audience on occasion so pecu>
liarIy sad as this, aud that too in
sight of The place where he had
studied and drilled.
The address by Capt. MiIIedge
surpassed tbe expectations of many,
and was a fine Grafton, breathing
and burning with eloquent and noble
sentiments Of truth and justice, pay
ing just and noble tribute to the
virtue, yaior and her9iom Of the
dead and living Confcderates, and
at the same time showing a mag
nanimity and patriotism for those
who "wore the blue" truly COM
mendable. After his speech he was
warmly congratulated by our citi-
zcns, among the number were some
Northern gentlemen, who gave MS
hand hearty shake, showing that
sectional luminosity was over, and
that .hey could appreciate the truly
brave man, his conciliatory senti-
ments and the worthy tribute for
those who fought, as they did, for
their country and the cause they
deemed right and dearest, though
they differed in opinion and prlnci-
pie.
After the address, the Band dis
coursed excellent music and the dis>
tribution of flowers and evergreens
followed. 1t was the largest and
most successful decoration we have
had in Marietta since the war, man
jfestly gratifying and demonstrativc
that the Ladies of the Memorial As
ISOLATION are duly appreciated in
their noble efforts to commemorate
annually the impeIisbable deeds of
the "boys who wore the gray" and
it also shows that our people are not
losing interest 10 this duty Of love,
but it is still cherished in fond re-
membrance. No grave was neglect
ed, but all were kindly cared for and
slrewn with fragrant flowers and
wrcaths, garlapds of gratitude and
tokens of affection.
The following is the
ADDRESS OF CAT. MILLEDGE.
Ladics Of tie .Nemoria4 association and Eel
htc CitizcDs
Thi. is a Memorial Day-a day set apart in
the hearts Of ON people ON which to do honor
to the memory Of the Confederate dead aud
each returning year bring, this day vi III its
sad rites. - rsgulayy is il hiinga The happy
feast Of Ch istmss or the sacred ceremonies Of
Easter.
/, comes in the sprioe-timr Of the year, when
nature breaking from the icy embrace Of win
teI@ grave. is resurr-c'ei into n-WHess OF lite,
amid the rel, green Of budding foliage, the per
fliln- Of flowers aud The singing Of birds
To-day, in all this Southern land-irom
every crowded city from very 'illage, town
and hamlet from every Hill side, plain and
valley. he people come-brays, true, patriotic
,,.., f,,.,b,.. G-vntp1 women innocent children