The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-05-14

with solemn rite and . baptism Of tears
and probhecY Of q resurrection, closes
the door or the tomb, or folds tenderly
the turfthe over throbless breastl
The speaker at this point referred 10
the Iburtal customs OF ancient nations,
and the abbeys and cemeteries OF mod.
err titfies; to Westminster. the Escurlal,
IPere "a Chaise, Mt. Auburn. etc. He
thsh proceeded to say that rural Gem
etsry should EXPRESS the highest posi-
ItififieS Of the art Of landscape garden
inc The native forest tree should be
rStti4Sf we'd TO cast its cool shadows and
df0D the pomp OF It's aatumnai leaves
Over the graves; the laurel should have
its place TO sytnbolize the victory OF the
uSdd . the weeping willow should droop
m blesnatfc coughs, indicative OF
s,tN6 heart bowed down with weight OF
VA :''Ifthe vine, twiDing the monu-
yi,Enfal. shaft, or interlacinR the over
hanging boughs, to fitly suggest the
faith and hope to which the smitten soul
clinke Tor support in It's Efforts 70 climD
he6fenWafd; the evergreen, veroant
Through oil the storm ana snow OF WIN
TIL "a be d perpetual monitor or the
;ninSxftAlity Of spirit; the grass, the
fAAasNnd final friend OF man, must keep
n Npzpakswatch. and the flowers every
s,,rih q 1hbfitd bourgeon and blossom In
tegitlty aud .ft6gFatce. and repeat, with
n N tfts elodti6flce, the lees0n OF the re-
sutfecti0n wtyich God, In tte parHbolio
tsaehitiRs OF his word, has sct 30 promi-
rstitly and erlgaqinQly In the very heart
III nature. To all this decorative power
bF tfee. Ahfub and flower should be added
Ehk Yfoh, on oscillations OF the quarry
and the exquisite chasings OF the sculp-
tor's clIisel The cemetery should be
vast garden and gallery. Nature, In It's
finest moods, should find expression In
its shnven lawns and grateful shades,
and all the air should be loaded with the
aroma flung from the sweet-scented
recs . ~ the blossoms and distilled In
tina Alem bio Of the flowers. And art may
bJisy itself, too, In teaching the living
that the bodyis Of such value, by reason
ST ite glorious lestinies, that IL Ia worth
the while of wealth and taste to cut SYM
Dol y and verse into the impcrishable
rock. OF 900 W
'To consecrate these grounds to a
asrsred use We have assembled. NO
lOnfof shall the thorn and thistle, the
braIilble and the bfier, curse this In
clOAy,re never again shall the yeoman
drive his plowshare through this field.
nov diverted by our dedicatory exer-
piSeA from the purposes OF agriculture
Is become Goods acre" or, IN the beau
tifuio language OF Richter, "The green
mountat6-top OF far distant world
no more shall the beast OF the Held
roam this pasture, or even the youth OF
vnur village disport themselves upon its
green. Hallowed forever by the pur-
i,oses Of our hearts aud the ritual OF this
service IL this soil May the tongue be
palsied that shall rend the air Of this
sacred epot with the words OF bias.
phcmy OF Righteousness May the hand
toee It's cunning that with worse than
yandal spirit would pillage the dead OF
the blossoms surviving love has nur-
tured for their last resting plnce! Here
may hCfief-smitten love make solemn
pilgrimage and engage In pious medita-
ticns and holy resolves.
We cons scrste to Doath
This verdant altar-hence e b
The place OF graves. We Weld 10 thee.
Oh shadow Powsrl this fair domain;
We give the wood and hill and plain.
Together here thy pale array,
yet NOT. on Death to the
"A the grim monster and chimera dread.
III horrid shape. give we our dsad-
Give we this consecrated ground,
Not rs the feshlees skeleton,
All shuddering To look upon.
With fearful scythe and gloss Of doom.
The spectral terror OF the Tomb!
Rather, oh Death! art thou
The weepr < angel with sad brow.
And dropping torch-whoee fearful eys
Ia filled with kindly sympathy
For human woe-wltpae dark. Sott WinE-
Der lifes last hour Is lowering.
In pity sent to break the chain
Tbat binds the sufo or unto pain
&" Peace 10 this place Of rest!
IT'S com mon earth no longer now" etc.
The orator then proceeded to address
his audience upon the history, teach
ings, characteristics, aims and achieve
ments Of Odd Fellowship, mapifestlng
perfect familiarity with his theme and
securing the most attentive hearing we
have ever seen given to any speaker by
large multitude assembled in the open
air. hundreds OF whom could not be
seated. There was good singing and APP
propagate prayers, 6ne dinner and q
perfect feast OF fraternal feeling.
@.Ts ,l' 7'o q .t' Our Vrvg.
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