The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-06-07
Commemorn,ing Our Heroes.

COmmemOrating Our Heroes.
Notwithstanding the valid reasons urged,
for decorating the graves Of the soldiers buri
ed In this vicinity on Sunday, instead of
Friday, there was considerable objection
raised to the proposed change, The objection
came principally from some of the religious
denominations, who claimed that although
the decorating ceremonies are secredly sol
emn, because ii is not consecrated by a form
al ordination of the christian church, it is a
secular ceremonial, and therefore its observ.
ancc on the Sabbath is an innovation of the
sanctity Of that day. The reaeons for the
change, this year, however, being consider
ed paramount to the argument urged in
favor of the objection, those who had the
preliminary labors in hand carried out the
programme Of decorating on Sunday.
As per call the procession assembled at
the public school house in Weissport at o.
clock, p. m, Rev. Becker, pastor of the Re-
formed church, of that, borough, was the only
christian minister who honored the occasion
with his presence. The Lutheran and Re-
formed Sabbath school was the only Sun
day school that put in appearance. There
was otherwise a goodly attendance. The
procession was formed, John Graver, acting
as master of ceremonies, and headed by the
Young America Band, proceeded to the
cemetery. After singing by the Sunday
school children, Rev. Becker invoked the
divine favor, which he followed by brief
but impressive Introductory address, Then
Hon. DR.. j. G, zern was introduced as the
speaker of the occasion.
HON. DIR. zERN's ADDRESS.
| Ny friends and felioto citiSens
Standing beneath the serene sky, overlook
ing the verdant fields and valleys, teeming
with the luxuriance of vegetation, the circle
of mountains towering before us, the graves
of our brethren, parents, and children beneath
our feet; 1t is with great hesitation that l
raise my feeble voice to break the eloquent
silence of Sod and Nature.
This being the Holy Sabbath day, do not
believe it to be right OF proper to make too
much Of u demonstration either by parade,
music or speeches. shall, therefore, be very
brief, and will only say that the custom of
decorating or strewlng flowers upon the graves
OF our departed heroes is patriotic one 1t is
labor Of love, arising from recollection of
deeds of great valor, ofearnest patriotism and
unialterng devotion to most worthy cause,
On the sanguinary field of battle these patri-
OTIS, whose memory we SO greatly cherish, met
the foe, conquered the enemy, and although
they themselves had to yield up their lives in
the contest, victory at last perched upon the
banners OF their surviving comrades, and the
bloody crest of the reUellious wave was dash
ed lack in shattered spray. The life blood of
| the young men whose graves we decorate to-
day, was shed that this grand nation of ours
might live they whose ashes repose in these
their hOnOred graves are those who in life
helped to save the nation. From this day
| forth let us hope, let us firmly believe, that
peace, fraternity, universal good will, and re.
stored National unity, will again scatter up
on smiling land their beneficent and sweet
Influences. May all the benedictions of Heav-
en- be showered on the graves of our departed
heroes. As their deeds were noble and great,
may their memories be sublime an imperish-
able. Let them sleep a sweet sleep, honored
by their comrades and fellow citizens with the
consolation that
son flames eternal campng.ground,
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead ~
Day before yesterday 1 stood by the side of
the soldiers monument, in the National Gene
terry, at Gettysburg, a magnificent structure
of granite and marble, fit almost to mark the
resting place of dead demi-god, and in a
semicircle around that monument rest the re-
mains of four thousand soldiers looked at
the long rows of graves, and thought of the
career of the grandest army and the greatest
soldiers of the world {; fanced could see
them at Antietem, l could see them at Win
chester and Cedar Greek, driving the enemy
out of the Shenandoah could see them
marching through Georgia; 1 saw them at
Gettysburg, fighting for three long hot July
days, hurting back the invaders from our own
soil; l saw them pressing on to Richmond to
capture the last vestige of the rebel army and
l thought of the thousands of widows that
were made, the millions of orphans, the brok-
en- hearts of mothers, and the tears that had
been shed by them all, and the sublime and
forcible words uttered by the immortal Lin
coin when dedicaling the cemetery, 10 years
ago, "It is for us the living rather to be here
dedicated to the great task remaining before
us-that from these honored dead we take in.
creased deVOtiOn-that we here highly resolve
that the dead shall not have died in vain
that the Nation shall under God, have new
| birth OF freedom, and that the Government of
the people, by the people, and for the people,
shall not perish from the earth" Never SEEM
ed so solemn and appropriate as when read
them carved upon the side Of that monument.
The band now dscoursed solemn dirge
and the ceremony commenced of strewng
the resting places of those sleeping heroes
whose memories are enshrined in every
patriotic heart in the nation, with flowers.
The ladies of Lehghton, Weissport and
Franklin had supplied an abundance of
flowers for the occasion, for which the deco
rating committee desire to return their sln-
cere thanks. In the Weissport cemetery the
graves of eighteen soldiers of the late
war, two of 1912, and one of l776, were dec
GRATED, as follows:
Jonathan ,a, E Raeh, Co. g, 1924 Reg, Pa; Inf
i WIN. +. krum, "
George Buck, "
;,%aa John GGtn, .,, Co. A. 4th Pa; Cavalry.
Martin BlOss,
VIM. Keim,
| Alfred Laurish, "
, Geo. Derhammer, 90. E, 18th Reg Pa. r. @.
John Powell, Co. p, 2Sth Reg. Pa. Infantry,
Jacob Wsner, Co. q, slst Z"
benjamin Bachman, " -
Alex. Hartman, 90. B. l79th
Alex. Lentz, 90. A, 9th
lhnrT Taf Dor