New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-31
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
DECKING SOLDIERS GRAVES.
CEREMONIES IN AND ABOUT THE CITY.

CEREMONIES IN AND ABOUT THE CITY.
| EXERCISES AND DECORATIONS AT TIE STATUES
! THE PROCESSION IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
| IN BROOKLYN AND SUBURBAN TOWNS.
The observance of Decoration Day was
much marrcd yesterday by heavy rain, cur
failing the exercises in many instances, es-
pecally at the cemeteries. The ceremonies
at the various statues in this city took place
before the storm began, and, with the pro-
cession. attracted large throngs of people.
The observance was general in Brooklyn and
in the suburban towns.
THE OBSERVANCE IN THE CITY.
The sky was overcast from early morning,
the wind was brisk and cool. aud prudent people pro-
vdcd themselves with umbrellas and overcoats The
who city united honor the memory OF the dead SOL
ders Flags at half-mast foated from nearly every
building. and the streets crowded with enthus-
iastic and persistent men, women and children All
places Of business except the biggest and est shops
and Stores closed. Government Offices open
only for few hours for the transaction of impor-
tant matters. As early as 8 o'clock leOple crowded
toward Broadway and Ffh-ave., taking possession Of
every place that offered q possible point OF view in
Madison and Unousquarcs, and along the line OF tho
parade Tie streets and the East and West Sides
of the city for many hours quiet Sunday.
The attention of the people first given 10 the
decorations at Cnon-square as revealed by tie day
light. most elaborate arbor canopy OF
greens and flowers surrounding the pedestal OF the
Washington Monument within which, surrounding
the base, was great mass Of flowers, palms and
otc4. The shareholders OF Washington and West
Washington Markets had taken the matter in hand. and
all in the way OF floral decoration that money could do
had been done. Sixteen arches, covered with
greens and flowers, carried each hanging basket On
the top OF the pedestal were flowers while the head Of
Washington crowned with laurel On the west side,
III Il border of ivy, were the dates "l77s-ls7s," with
a dove between them, and the words, The Immortal
Washington" On the east side, also in an IVY border,
were the words " Father OF Country" in immOr-
tees The officers OF the association having charge Of
this work John keenan,, President; William Burg,
Secretary and Peter Farrell Treasurer stand, heav
lily dripcd in crimson, and adorned with bunting, was
erected facing this Ialsey ". Knapp, member Of the
association who at the same time an active business
man in the market the pastor of church, and enti-
tied to write after his name the letters d. d. was the
speaker this stand and spoke the honor earned by
the soldiers of the Union Army and the lessons TO be
learned from their sacrifices. The Hon. Thomas c. L.
Ecccsine and Robert G. Cornell TO have spoken,
but declined, Mr. Cornell giving reason that 1t was
unfair to ask a man TO follow such a speech without
careful preparation.
LINCoLN's MONUMENT.
Lincon's Monument not deliberately decorated
rs tnat OF Washington. but very flly adorned with
flowers. The base Of the pedestal was covered with
mass ferns and ralms and rare plants the sides OF tho
pedestal were covered with wreaths and flowers. The
railing hidden by wreaths OF the ground pine. while
on side OF the pedestal stood ont IN white immoc-
tele- the word Emancpator," and on another 1rb-
ute of Lincoln Post, 49," This has always been the great
point of attraction the coored people at this ami
yel>ary. and did not fail TO be 30 yesterday The ar
rangcmcnts here and at Layettes statue were under
the charge OF Lincoln Post, No. -.
The most important addresses of the morning were
made here II was past o'clock before the ceremonies
announced O'Clock began. The procession, headed
by the Zouaves of Elizabeth. and including the
Washington Continental Guard an italian organization
OF SharpshOoters and the battalion Of the Carries LIZ
fyettc with portion OF the skdmorc Guard (co!Oredl
and the members OF the Post marched the ground,
and with the exception Of the Gardes Lafayette, which
went to the statue Of Lafayette, surrounded
the Washington Monument. The veterans from
Elizabeth brought with them number Of
torn batt.c-lags including Phil kcaTucys bat
tle-iag and flag torn that il hardly held
together. ludicrous incident occurred IN connection
with these. The standard bearers were invited the
platform One of them, since his honorable discharge,
has attained the respectable weight about 800 pounds,
and the platform. intended for such -odiiy. began
to break down. lie hastily Withdrawn to the
enduring ground.
Major-Gcneral Schuyler Hamilton presided at
this stand. and in his opening address sand
that the people had discerned that they would
best keep alive tho memory of Their dead not by
reylvns. but by burying past antagonsms Therefore
they s;rewcL with impartial hand flowers the
of those who the bonnie blue soUer butterDu
For this there but only few, Who despalred
Of their country Who could despair OF country which
IN less than century had had for Presidents George
Washington, Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln !
After prayer by the Rev. NJ F. Dckerson the poem Of
the day was read by A. Hamilton Drake.
Frederick Douglass delivered the grafton. lie said,
in part:
Eloquence would fail illustrate fifty and fully the
heroic deeds and virtues Of those who fought and fell
IN the cause OF the Union We need something moro
hir arautry IS better than oratcry IL ear.
back to that dark hour Of supreme peru when
OF OF danger when the hearts Of tie strong failed
them through fear. But this display recalls 10 Us also
the patriotic fcryOr the qucnchlcss a:Cor, the heroic
courage. tho generous selfsacrlfce the patience skl
and fOrttuae Of that time. Never was there grander
call to patriotic duty; "a more enthusiastic
Spouse 10 such call Brave aud noble sriuis living
and dead. May your memory never perish! We tender
you on tins Memorial Day the homage 0f the loyal
Natlon and the heartfelt gratitude oi emahclpaed i.-
lions II the great work You undertook TO accomplish
s abroad in the country; If the principles Tor which
you brINey fought are III any way compromised or
threatened the Constitution and tAe laws are IN any
measure dl-honored and dslegaldod; If duly elected
state Governments IN way overthrown by NlO-
cnce II the elective franchise has been overborne by
intimidation amt fraud II the southern states, under
the idea ~ local seii-cvernmch are ehleaV0Ilng 70
para TIE and shllvc the body Of tie National
,"p ri m sT ' tb faH is moi y"nr You. AZ least
were faithful aud did your Whole DUTY.
In the spirit Of the noble man whose image now
looks down upon us. should have charity toward
al. and malice toward none" In the LANGUAGE OF our
greatest soldier. twice honored with the Presidency Of
the Nation, let have peace" Yes. let US have
peace; but let have liberty, law. aud justice trst
Let have the Constitution, with It's Thrlccnth Four
tcen;h. aud Fifteenth Amendments fairly interpreted
faithfully executed, and cheertuly ob"yed In the iu
ness o their spirit aud the completeness OF their letter
do rot say Rutherford b. Hayes. the lawful and right
ul President OF the United states was DOT justified n
stepping the verge of his Constitutional powers 10
conce aud paciiy the old master class at the south
but do say that steps, by way OF conCllatlon,
should come the other side The prodig. sou should
at least turn back upon the field al swine. aud his
face toward home before we make haste 10 d upon his
neck and for him Kill the iatted calf He must not
glory in his shame and boast his nOu-repcutance.