The Van Buren press., 1876-05-16
DECORATION DAY
Town Crowded with People.
Interesting Ceremonies at the Graves.
In MeMOria Eterna.

eI tiut liils uay sHouiu uAWn RTanuIy, curing
which fair hands with evergreen garlands,
were to lay tokens of their love above the
cold ashes of those who died for their sunny
southern home.
Large numbers of people were present
from all parts of the county, and the turn ont
was much larger than last year. and all the
preparations were complete.
About 0 O'Clock, the Brass Band came down
the street. playing a beautiful air, and halted
at the Court House. Col. NJ. +. Locke, the
Marshal, commenced forming the procession in
the following order
1st.-Grand Marshal, and assistants at head
of column
M.-Grand Floral Chariot.
4th.-Decoration committee of ladies with
their assistants.
5th.-Rural Council, Temperance Reform.
9Th Harmony Council. Temperance Re-
form. of Van Buren, ~
7th.-The Odd Fellows Lodge.
9Th The Masonic fraternity.
9th.-Orators OF the day.
10th.-Reprcsentatives of the press.
Ilth.-Citizen pedestrians.
l2th.-Horsemen, wagons. carriages etc.
l3th.-Knights of Pythias as fankers.
Capt. j. r. Rogers. one OF the orators Of
the day was detained an hour on the other
side Of the river by the breaking Of some of
the machinery on the ferry boat, and it was
between 10 and II o'clock before the column
took up Its line of march. 1t was the largest
procession we have seen in Van Buren,. Just
as the column approached the grove above the
burying- ground. the band played that most
beautiful Of all funeral dirges, the Dead
March in Saul" and as the balmy air. sweet
with the odorous breath Of the flowers, bore
upon its osciiatng waves, the mournfully
sweet harmonies across the sleeping dead. 1t
seemed to breathe holy requiem for the rest
of those "whose ashes sweetly sleep I'M
conscious meath the silent sod" 1t was a
solemn sight, that minglln., of the young and
oil marching to the solemn strains of that
splendid march. May He who open wide
does throw the gates Of heaven to music's
strains hear eer this music prayer and bless
the souls of those whose bodies slumbcr In II
martyrs grave"
h'tti VIZ SC INlCliJ sHatth
themselves, n touehingly beautiful prayer
was made by the Rev. Mr.. Hunter. After
this came a hymn by the Band followed by a
speech from r II. Hillyer, The gentlemen
delivered very pretty speech, bnt we can
not agree with the Argus that 1t was " we'll
timed," and while We mean no disrespect, we
must acknowledge that we were far from
Il tt,,t
were similarly affected. Had there been no
one save Southern soldiers and their friends
such speech might have done. But there
were some there who had fought on the other
sid, who irnsl aivestuu themselves or MI auf-
mostly, and had assembled to join with us to
ray hoaors to the memory Of our darling
dead. The occasion, we think, should be one
of conciliation, rather than for the recital of
memories that are calculated to open anew
the wounds of discord that have S, nearly
been healed. The presence of our federal
friends on ao occasion like this, should secure
them from hearing anything distasteful to
them. We deem that justice to our people
demanded what we have written,
Next came music by the band. followed by
HJt" tCdu ny k3l. hSVA' NabSt tHl~ SoPt.
Rogers delivered a'splendid Grafton, free
from every thing that could, In the least, Of
fend any one. 1t was exactly suited to the
time and occasion, and met with the hearty
approval Of all that heard it. The ceremo-
MES at the stand were completed with music
by the band.
On arriving at the graveyard, nearly every
body was met with a plcasursb!e surprise. A
number Of young ladies, under the direction
Of Mr.. Smale, had erected a monumental al
tar, surmounted by the beautiful emblem of
Christianity. The whole WAS covered with
flowers, and treated the graves. The shadow
Of the cross, cleaning In the golden sunlight's
beams. as they seemed to kiss its glistening
surface with their holy rays cast shadow
across the graves Of the marty red-dead. that
fell with heavenly benedietions upon the
mounds OF those whose bodies al the" sep
ulchres where heroes sleep" 1t was a beau
tful idea. and one whicllis n credit to those
who rlanned and consummated it.
The brass band did spendidy, and this is
the more noteworthy from the fact that they
had not practiced any together for long
time until few nights before they turned out
in the procession.
The committee on decoration proceeded
to the graves which were appropriately dec
Grated. after which the procession, reforming.
marched to the courthouse and were dsmis-
ed. and thus closed another Memorial Day.
The entire affair passed of admirably, nor
can too much praise be bestowed upon Col.
Locke. Chief Marshal. and his assistants, DIR.
Cathy. Lewis johnson. X. s. Crcekmore, Jas.
Brodie and c. H. HALEY, for the excellent
manner IN which every thing was conducted.
To Capt Sam. Martin, not the Memorial So
ciety alone are indebted, but our entire peo-
pie for the meritorous services rendered by
him. lie was the originator and constructor
of the beautiful floral arbor which was such
a conspicuous feature in the procession.
There cannot be too much communication
bestowed upon the ladies composing the Me-
mortal Association. They have been unflag-
ping In their efforts In the matter, and the
spirits of the dear dead, perchance, may bless
them for the zeal which they manifest for
their memory. May these ladies live many