Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-05-16
HERNANDO.
Nem oFiaI Day-HSw it was Observed
Colonel Tom whites OrRtIOn and
Major shRBds's POsm-Ths
Picnic ON the Green,
From an Occasional oorrespordeut.I

| From an Occasional OOrrespordeut.1
! HERNANDo, Miss, May 14.-Tht
! thirteenth of this queen of rnoLths vii
long te teInem bered IN the history oI
/ fernando for the success of our efforts
to celebrate Memorial day. The balmy
perfect weather, after such a succession
OF cold snaps aud unreasonable spells
ss we have had, brought our people tC
town in crowds. Farmers came in,
| driving wagOn-loads, aud by eleven
o'clock the mass of folk and array oi
vehicles was quite exciting. Then came
| the slow march OF the beautiful process
sion, the decoration Of the graves, and
| the unveiling of the splendid monument
| DeSotO couu Y has brought from Italy
and placed as silent yet eloquent SEN
tinel above her honoTed dead. On this
occasion Colonel Tom White, of Her
nando, was the orator selected to give
expression to the feelings and senti-
ments of the thrOnging crowd; and
right nobly was the deUOir performed.
Classical references, historical facts,
gems Of poetic thought and patriotic
sentiment were woven into a memorial
wreath, as fitting SIS the beauteOus gar
lands twined round the shining white
monument rearing its shaft to the sky.
The poem, recited by Major Shsnds, of
SenatObia, WAS founded on an incident
occurring at a fair in Columbia, South
Carolina, some time after the war, on
which occasion a company Of COnfede-
rate soldiers in war-wnrn gray uniforms
silently paTaded the grounds, resurrect-
ing, as it were, the buried past. Major
Ehands rendered the tender verses
pathetically. The ladies of Herpsndo
cordially united the good things they
had prepared with the viands brought
by those from the country, and we had a
most enjoyable picnic dinner Uuder the
shade trees, on the green of the Her
music of childish laughter and bOyish
shouts, participators in a game Of
humble peg" and small scale aero
nauts in huge swing. At night the
fernando literary society gave dra-
matte entertainment to help Gefray the
expenses Of unveiling the monument.
This was decidedly rich treat to our
theater-lOying people. A Memphis citi-
zen, whom fernando claims as her favor
ite professor, fully equaled your native
actor, Mr.. Frank Evans, in his delinea-
tions. The style of acting in each was
quiet, gentlemanly, earnest. We have
young physician in fernando who
has developed au immense talent for
comedy. AS Sam, the "Henglishman,"
in "Checkmsted," che kept the full
house in a roar of laughter, and in the
singing farce OF "Mr. Smiss and Mrs.
Smiss," excited furore of delighted ap-
plause, and repeated calls for repetition.
An eminent lawyer of the town acted
the principal part in Douglas JerrOld's
drama-"Rent Day" AS the ruined
tenant and outraged husband, he depict
ed the paroxysms of grief, the ragings Of
despair with a power and life-likeness
that reminded me of Francis Bangs as
"Marc Antony" and was fully up to
the eager fervOr and profound emphasis
of the great tragedian in his impressioned
orstion to the pOpulace in view Of the
dead body of Caesar. This gentleman is
president Of the literary society, and has,
up to this time, maintained an unabated
interest, among the large membership,
in its meetings. One OF the most anus
ing characters in "Rent Day" was Mr..
''BullfrOg," enacted by young lawyer
of our town, native Of Tennessee. His
very tones set one to smiling, and his
sphorisms invariably brought down the
house. Farmers in this county are now
fairly embarked in another crop; have
good stands OF cotton, and corn begin
ming to look pretty. Prospect of abund-
snce Of fruits, and people are in good
spirits. v.D.C.