The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-09-15
THE FOURTEENTH,
A Solemn Requiem Mas and n Visit to
the Graves Of the NEnrtYra

|
the Graves of the Martyrs.
! Yesterday morning all the members of the
White League who had no sick ut home, no
diseased friends to attend to- and who were
free from duty with the Howard Association,
reported at the St. Louis Cathedral to attend
| the solemn mass which was celebrated at 8
o'clock for the benefit of the souls of the mar
| tyrs Of the Fourteenth Of September, 1874. A
| goodly number Of those who participated in
the glorious fight were present, and many
sympathizlng ladies lent their graceful pres
ence to the occasion and gave their precious
prayers for those who died for the liberation
of Louisiana.
Reverend Father Chabrer officiated and
the church was most appropriately decor
ated. mournful catafalque, around which
the waxen tapers Of death dmly burned and
threw their weird light, headed the centre
| aisle. On q row of chairs immediately in
front OF the funereaI emblem. sat the Nom
bers Of the White League, and it was @ touch
ing sight to behold these sturdy men ms the
ceremonies proceeded, now standing up. now S,,v
with bent knees resting on the stone pave
ment bowling before the Great God who dis
penseth good and evil, according to the Volt
tions OF His ever mindful and infinite wisdom
Those who can face the cannon and the re-
peating rifle may well bend O. plant knee be-.
fore the almighty and ever-merciful dispeu-
sations OF Providence. It was eminentDy an
propriate that Rev. Father Chabrier should
olllclate upon the occasion. Father Chabrier
Is good priest, and before taking orders was
brave and gallant soldier in the French
army. In fact he SO distinguished himself in
the Cr1mean war that, we are informed, he
won the distinguished honor Of being deco
rated on the battlefield.
The holy mass being over nil resortod In
the various graveyards to do homage to the
departed heroes and pay tribute to their
memory.
The tornbs, under the supervision of the
committees appointed at the last meeting Of
the officers OF the White League, had all
been uniformly and appropriately decora-
ted with wreaths OF evergreen, traversed
by q ribbon of white silk, bearing as in
scription the name of the deceased, with
the well known and eloquent legend, "Four-
o garland OF evergreens intermngled with
white and red roses. Thus were the graves
OF the departed heroes decorated by the care
Of their old comrades, all with the same uni
form adornment, as well became valiant sol
ders who had lived their life and fought their
fight for country and duty.
Gen, Fred N Ogden, with his staff, visited
all the graves. and paid due homage to those
who had succumbed in the cause of Justice
and liberty, under his leadership, on that
memorable day.
Many ladies also visited the cemeteries, and
we have seen though the time is distant since
the battle was fought and the heroes killed,
numerous tears dampen the sod in front of
their graves.
Outside of the decorations which had been
prepared by the White League, piolls hands
and loving hearts shat cah1ioJ forget had
placed bouquets, loose flowers and howery
crosses upon the tOmbs.
1t was consoling to witness that though
our community is to certain extent en-
crossed and taken up with the idea of the fell
disease which prevails the friends of the de-
parted and the sympathizers in the cause of
Louisianas liberation thronged around the
graves Of the martyrs. and, unmindful of the
scourge, paid uetribute to the names of those
who have died for Truth and Right. Nothing
can appal our people when they have duty
to perform, and the future of Louisiana is
safe in the hands of those who can forgive
but never forget.