National Republican., 1878-05-31
Al New lnrk.


Al New York.
New YoRH, May 3D.-The observance of the
Decoration Day Of 1875 beginningearly in the
morning and ending with tho ceremonies in
BJOth's Theatre this evening, Is perhaps moro
elaborate than any of the celebrations of recent
year. The great feature OF the day was the
parade of the first division of the National
Guards; hut tho exercises in the different
cemeteries and the Ceremonies attending tho
decoration Of the different statues and monu-
mcnts were also extremely interesting.
THE MEETING ~ BoOTH's THEATRE.
NEW loRK, May 3D.-Tho closing cerc.
monies in connection with Decoration Day
took place tonight in Booths Theatre. Every
seat was filled, and the stage was brilliant with
the glitter of military uniforms. General
Lloyd AspinwIll presided, aud among others
present were General Sherman, Rev. H. W.
Bcccher, Major-uenerai II. W. Banks, General
Hancock. General kiddoa, General Qucralto,
General FasSot, General Joe Hooker, General
Robinson, General Shaler, General McCook,
General \. J. Perry, General Frey, General
VI. 4. Mcmahon, General Sharpe, General
Webb, and many others.
GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN,
who was received with enthusiastic applause,
said the pageant of to-day and that Assem-
blage demonstrated Enthusiastically that public
interest IN the events of lSGl-'6j did not die
with the heroes and martyrs Of that epoch.
Though new generation had sprung up,
there wero witnesses present of tho fierce
civil war which left half million graves, a
million widows and orphans, a pension roll of
232, ,lOi names, and u national debt of over
S2OJO,ODO.ODO, and vet We hear men of iutlu-
cuce contend all this should be forgotten. 1t
has lOnJ been forgiven.
Some Of the men who caused that state of
affairs share in the councils of our Govern
mcnt. and h. would be tho last man to will il
otherwise. We have welcomed them to the
family group and to some Of our old Union
comrades 1t might sc"m to have gone too far
to prejudice the remainder of the family who
stood faithful all the time. Some of our South
crn antagonists contend because their motives
were pure they are entitled to the same meas.
urc OF honor and glory rs those who had right
on their side. We claim, he said, we of the
Union army were right, and our advcrsarics
were wrong and no special pleading can
change this verdict of war. [AppIausc.l
lie would not for the world renew the angry
p plssOns of that Ieri d lut we should never
tear from our history pages recording the great
events of 1861 to 1865. They should for.
ever stand II warning to those who
come after us that nobody from pis.
sion or sclf.intcreSt, or any human cause or
prctcxt may undertake to destroy tho Govern
Ihcnt by violence. LApplauSc.l In tho Ian.
guagU of our great leader, General Grant lap.
p!aISe we will mover apologize for deeds dono
in ls6l-5. Let us treasure up their memory
rs long as life lasts. Wars arc usually caused
by civilians, but when the storm gomes they
90 below aud leave their Innocent comrades to
catch the piticss storm.
Though at the head of an army, he pro.
claimed his profession to be to prevent war
and he hoped all good men, North aud South
would unite in repairing the mistakes and
wrongs of the past. At the Chamber of Com
mrrce dinner. years ago, he spoke Of the nrccS.
sity Of an army to protcc: trade aud com.
mcrcc, guard frontiers, anl respond to the
Governors Of States in case OF domestic VIC.
lrnce.
Several newspapers insisted he had declare 1
that without our little regular army the
United States would b.cOmu a mob. The as.
scrtiOn was ridiculous, aud once more he felt
compelled TO deny hc used tho rrm.:l ks.
What he did say he repeated, that the Consti.
tuition commands the General Government to
protect tnc people OF the State against domestic
violence, and Congress has prescribed by law
how and when that power shall b1 used
lie thanked Goi that the vast mass OF our
people love liberty aud justice, and arc too
busy with their industries in ordinary times
to heed tho Vaccinations of the pcstiirrou.
few. We should not be hastily alarmed. The
/ aiuilN9 al loDD sun llNo III spirit
and will never, in his Judgment, permit this
Government to drift into anarchy. Applause
General Banks reviewed the progress of tn,
great Republic since its formation, and paid q
glowing tribute to Washington, Lincoln, aud
Grant. The last mentioned, though private
citizen, was received in Europe as no ruler
ever was. The American soldier had ~ par
al',l in history for bravery, dignity Of charac
tor, and iirnncss OF purpose. Every rcrulu
il n. t,Iu nt IN ~ In ltt
dissatisfied with its results, and this Is .us
our difficulty now.
/ Considerable Southerners appear to think
their duty is to prevent the csabl Shnnnt of
solid peace. The rights Of Government ant
| people were never in greater danger than now
. For what did we pour out our blood and treas
! uro? For Shcrnln's march to the sea- ol
FIrragut to sit in the shruuIs of his ship
! For what was the sour apple tree deprived o
It's legitimate fruit? Are we to give then
I possession of that Govormsnt they sought t
take by force? Loud calls were made 10
BSechcr, but he did not respond. Tie pro
cccdings then Terminated.