National Republican., 1875-05-29

national cemeteries throug ghout the Union. As is
right and proper, the event partakes Of the char
acter Of national holiday, and in addition to the
simple custom Of streWing flowers, the day is at
tended with imposing ceremonies, in which music
and eloquence combine to honor the gallant dead,
and by repeating the story OF their Valor incul
cate upon the mind Of the youth the sublime les
son Of devotion to their country, eynoed by those
whose memory is honOTed and will continue TO be
hOnoTed as long as the American Repubus is
numbered EnOng the nations Of the earth.
Their work has been recited In glowing terms,
in song and story, and on the page of history
their recorded deeds outshine those OF any pre-
'Tious race. They cannot be forgotten. And yet
IT is we'll that IN the springtime Of each recur-
ring year there should gather within sight Of
their remains the youth and manhood, the
mothers and daughters of the land to listen to
the Oit-tOld story Of
THEIR VALIANT LIVES
AID heroic death, and at the sOlemnly suggestive
tomb repeat their pledge Of fealty to this eoun-
try, ana register the vow that the Union they
died to save shall be preserved inViolate. This
is the spirit Of Decoration Day, as intended by
the Grand Army, and this is the spirit which
should Rctuste all who participate in the cere-
monies. The tear dropped, the prayer oHered,
the hOwers strewn to-day are not Intended as
simply a vOtive offering TO the dust beneath the
sod. They have higher significance They are
intended TO honor alike the martyr and the cause
in which he died. Hence, all through the conse-
Grated ground, from the tomb Of the unknown,
stretching far toward the South, the green car
pet Of nature, with its significant army Of head
boards is further embeliished with the flag Of
the Union, the sym bol under which, and for which,
In the prayer and speech and song the burden
Of the story will be the Union and the blood It
cause and its heroes are go intermixed that honor
to one means honor to both.
THE ARRANGEMENTS.
In this city, as usual, the ceremonies are in
charge Of the Grand Army of the Republic, and
the several sub committees have been untirfng in
q
DecOrstie1-DRys. They have been actively at
work for 3 week or two in perfecting their plans,
ard, as result, all will be pleased. 1t has been
thought best, on account OF the length Of time
heretofore occupied, to dispense with the special
services at the Tomb Of the Unknown, thus max
tiOn Of the graves will consist of wrestbs and
crosses Of eVergreens, fresh cut flowers, and 8
miniature Tag placed on each. In the work Of
preparing these emblems the committee have
been aided by number OF patriotic ladies, whose
deft fingers WOVe the pretty green into shape, and
who will to-day distribute them on the graves.
Arlington
never looked better. From the entrance, through
the weIl-kept drives to the right and left, the
sight is charming. The sturdy oaks have donned
their summer garb and throw their protecting
shade far over the head Of the traveller. The
grass soft as velvet, has been closely mown and
with its beautiful Terdure makes . fair contrast
with the row after row of white tOmbstones. Here
and there through the grounds a pretty parterfe
Of blooming flowers breaks the monotony Of the
scene and mingle their 0dOrs with that of new
mOwn hay. The mansion stands boldly on its
eninence, and in front Of 1t, spreading its folds
over all and proclaiming its right to the hallOWed
domain, floats the Gag Of the Union.
THE DECORATIONS
of this year are confined almost exclusively to
the tomb Of the Unknown" and the amphi-
theatre. On the entrance to the main road is
handsome arch of hags and evergreen, under
which all carriages must pass on their way to the
stand. The smphitReatre is in excellent condi-
F0N Wkan nfN ala FG
as floor. The mounds of the outer circle are
closely trimmed and beautifully green. The pill
lars OF the canopy covering this are hid by trail
ing vines Of different classes, some covered with
budding flowers. In addition to this flags have
been testOOned in profuse variety, wreaths and
crosses Suspended, and at proper points are hung
small banners, each bearing the name OF some
Well-knOWn deceased oficer Of the war. Directly
opposite the portico Of the speaker will be placed
the Marine band, and on either side Of them the
boys and girls Of the Soldiers and Sailors Or
Phans' Home. Above them is the motto THE
Nations Wards"
The portico has also been profuseIy decorated
with flags and embIems gracefully festooned and
in front Of it, in letters Of green, the words:
I'm MemOriam-" For the accommodation OF Wis
itOrs the committee have placed conveniently, in
various parts Of the grounds barrels which will
be kept filled with ice water. The Indians now
in the city have been invited and will attend.
The following will be the order Of exercises at
Arlington:
DECORATION OF THE GRAvEB.
The procession. consisting of the committee the
invited guests, and the orphan children, and
which the public are invited to join, will form at
II q. m in front Of the Arlington mansion, headed
by the Marine band. The procession will march
by the main road into the cemetery, when it will
separate and proceed with the decoration Of the
graves. The Marine band during the decoration
will render appropriate selections After the
completion Of the decoration Of the graves the
will again form and march 10 the am
Phitheatrer where the services will be held.
SERVICES AT THE ANPHITHEATRE.
National salute at l O'Clock p. m; Aria, Attill,
Marine band; calling the assembly to order,
children Of SOldierE' and Sailors Orphan Home:
chorus, Inter Vita, Prot Richter, director; orig
inal poem, Rev. J. z Rankin, ID. D.; chorus, Two
Roses, Prof Richter director; GRAFTON, Rev. Jno
z. Newman, ID. D.; chorus, Farewell 70 the For
est, Prof Richter; benedictiOR, Rev. Russell n.
Bellows; BOllero, Vespers Siciliani, Marine band.
THE COMMITTEES.
otficer Of the day, George Z: CorsOn; aides,
Michael Carey, E. Schmid, badge, red, white
and blue rOsette.)
General committee, white badge:) James T.
treasurer; Theodore L. Lamb, Timothy Lubey,
Aug. Ridgeley, Horace H. Brewer, Harrison
Decoration committee. Cblue badRe:) Timothy
Lubey, chairman: Harrison Dingman, Theo. L.
Lamb, A. ]. Cunning, H. H. VOse, K. K. Brouner,
John Lilay. Geo. Z: Corson, VIM. Gibson, Mrs.
NJ. Crawford, Mrs J. q. Claim. Mrs. Mary Gal
way, Mrs. NJ. A. McCulloch. Mrs Marie SteizlIn,
Mrs. d. V. Hicks, Mrs. A. NJ. True, Mrs, H. ].
n. Z. a. E-C
Mrs. NJ. L. HalIet, Mrs. A. Storey, Mrs. Mary ].
Lowry, Mrs NJ. Z. Cutter.
Finance Committee, (red badge)-James T.
Smith, chairman VIM. H. Kuhns, secretary;
George L. Clarke, q. H. Ross, Newton Wilton,
u. E. w. Sharrett, Geo. W. Allen, Isaac Thorn
H. B Benn EFT, Z. 3. Curtis, J. ID. 0'COnneIIrC.
F. Widstrand, F. H. ToWne, P. l. Rodier, V. A.
Stiles, Sam. Mcdonald, Geo. E. CorsOn, H. Il.
Voss, Aug. RidgeIey, Theo. L. Lamb, NJ F. DAILY
H. W. Jackson, NJ. Y. Maxwell, John O'CcnneIi,
Timothy Lubey, L. J. Bryant, E. A. Roderick,
Alex. Ashley, Harrison Dingmau, Geo. A. Wood
ley, r. N. Hanson, Frederick Watts, IT,
Transportation Committee, (yelloW badgs)-
WI W.T.; s H kg63s; ehsiIn2Ri 8 Il sPTagHsi G1E-
han, Theo. L. Lamb, r. K Brouner
Committee on Music-Aug. Ridgeley, chair
man, H. H. Brewer.
Soldiers Home.
As is usual, there will lie decoration services at
the Soldiers Home and Battle cemeteries, which
will be under the direction OF Benz. F. Hawkes.,
senior vice department commander, assisted by
the following committee: Mesdames A. L.
AaWes, Olive Freeman, Marie B. Greene, Lizzie
r Kelley, Lydia X. White, A. L. Frost, Annie
Etheridge, Z. NJ. Richardson, NJ H. Converse
Caroline Risley, Kate W. Mead, W. Leonard,
= Hoyey, Mary Sloan, q. +. Van Beuren, Mary
houghton, X Z. Kitchener, Misses Celia A. Tay-
LOT; r. A; Bradley Mamie McEIwee, A. E.
RndH3rai, Ishian' blansh %aipple, n A. Wood, -
%.
Z. Messer. L. Z. Messer, = Mitchell, -
VIM. King.
The exercises will be as follows: Salute: dirze.
BY the drum corps Of the Home: voluntary nv
the choir, directed BY Prof. b. Z. Messer; prayer
by Rev. Geo. Taylor, chaplain of the denart
ment; Introductory remarks, Hon. Edward p.
Smith, Commissioner Of Indian Affairs. ode
written by Rev. g. Taylor, set to music by Prof
Messerr and sung by the choir under his dIrec-
tion; poem, by Mrs. Mary Barton Greene recjted
by Comrade John TWeedale; band music by the
drum corps; benedictiOn by the grand chaDlain.
grand march from pavilion to cemstery 10 dis,
tribute floral offerings and flags. The Veterans
Of the Home, under the charge Of Gen. Thos q.
Pitcher, Governor Of the Home, will partIcfpate
At the conclusion the committee will proceed To
the battle cemetery TO decorate there.
Business Places Closed.
Our merchants periodically recognize the i'm
portance Of the day and the duty OF observance.
While some Of the retail houses will remain onsn
the entire day for the convenience Of the sunnIv
Of necessary wants, most Of them will close aftsr
The morning hours. In the Hholssal line the
observance Will be more universal. Papers have
circulated freely, but some dificuIty has been az
perieneed IN the matter Of deciding upon what
hour the general closing should take piace Ali
agreeing that dealers ought to be allowed an
bour or two in which to make purch ases OF sueb
articles as they might have forgotten in making
1p their stocks for Saturday, Sunday and Mon.
lay.
The wholesale merchants doing business On
Louisiana avenue, between Ninth and Tenth
,treets,Wer presented with an agreement Thurs
lay morning, drawn by Messrs J. o. ErRood 4
20, Rrocers, to close at g. m today and the re.
iplt Wss that the following frms signed: Charles
j. hlntolVtng K Co., ]. q. ErROOd A. Co q r.