The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-06-20
THE GRAFTON.

MIR. CHAIRMAN, SOLDIERS AND CIR
ITEMS: This is sacred ground. Arling-
ton, with it's mansion-houSe and lawns,
it's fields and groves, is, and is to re-
main, one Of the nations sacred places
sacred in the memories OF the past,
sacred in the associations of the living,
! but sacred and three halloWed to-day
| 10y the gathered hosts Of martyred he
/ roes who sleep beneath its sod. All
the surroundings here are historic and
impressive. These heights have wit
messed scenes and events the most
startling and monentOus. Here came
early the promoters of colonial com
merce, the builders of states, the foun-
ders of empire. Here the Father OF
his country, who had redeemed a con
tinent, founded a city. And later here
came q hostile force, when the wings
of yonder Capitol were wrapped in
flames; when the distinguished in
mates Of the Executive Mansion fled
! for safety, and fire leaped and cracked
through it's corridors and halls.
But these edificeS soon sprang again
from their ashes, and others like them
rose to view, proelaiming the nations
greatness and growth.
Then, here, amid the representative
forces Of free people, Ideas, principles,
systems, and civilizations, fought and
struggled. Here the giant intellects of
the nation met and grappled; and in
| this great arena of American states
manship victories were Lost and yicto-
rleS won, until all eliminated at last
in the wild resolve and open blow of
rebellion. Then Arlington heard the
tramp Of armies and felt the shock of
fratracidal war.
On that memorable morning in May,
just there, the forces Of the Republic
first set foot on Virginia's soil, and
yonder, Ellsworth, the idol OF the West,
gave up his young life. No sooner had
the struggle begun than these old
country roads, over which Washington
and Jefferson were wont to pass and
repass, became great red thoroughfares
OF strife, and the capital city itself, in
trenched within these circling hills,
became camp, hospital, and sepulcher
for the living, the dying, and the dead
Arlington felt and still seels the aw-
full change. Where to-day the ashes
lie cold upon her hearthstone but yes
ter0ay there was the warmth AMI glow
of distinguished hospitality. Here
gathered not only the great and good
of the nation, but the gifted and dis
tinguished of the world. She was the
home of luxury, the patron of learning,
the sanctuary Of art.
Now her libraries have disappeared,
her paintings and statuary are gone,
her halls are silent and deserted, and
over her door posts is written the dread
Inscription of the sepulchre!
Her familiar paths and forest trees
are indeed still true to nature; but
these no longer. proclaim her the home
lof the living, but the great Green City
of the Deadp
Hither come we to-day: Soldier, cit
iZen, comrade, and friend! In no spir-
it of exultation, nor yet with any feel
ing of bitterness or hate. but with true
devotion and reyerential love, to learn
if we can what more Arlington has to
teach us of her lesson this year; and,
While it is ordained that the living
must speak, would to God that with
heads uncovered we might all stand
silent here, while every grave that
ridges these hillsides became a vocal
tongue to-day; that these "sheeted
dead" might stand forth to tell us for
what they fought and for what they