Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-30
WASHING TON D. Co., FRIDAY, 3d.
After the reading OF the poem the marine
the Sangerbund sang " The Soldiers Farewell. )"

After the reading Of the poem the marine
hand rendered another musical selection ard
| the Sangerbund sang The Soldiers Farewell. !"
HON. J. WARREN REFERS GRAFTON.
sG Hop: ); wa warren d heder, OF Ohio, was then in
His opening remarks were as follows:
COMRADES AND CITIZENS: In full view of the
eap al of cy OF our neonSnt in sight Of the
OF the nations Capitol, on this summit, at the
foot of which rolls the beautiful Potomac. Db,
famed In future years as the Thames, the T.ber.
and the Nile; in sight of the spot where the In
mortal Lincoln, when he had just ptloted ollr
proud '' Ship of State +" through stormy seas tn
haven OF peace and safety. poured ou his
altar, to mingle with that OF the hundreds OF
thousands who also paid the penalty OF self
sSaGcng Sondh dey3tion to national unity and
tomb OF Washington, just beyond the horoscope
OF our vision; within easy sound of the cannons'
roar from many battle-felds of the recent fierce
adopted son Of General Washington and IN
later years Of General X. E. Lee, who became
the leader in the field Of the great American re-
bellion; on soil recently watered With the tears
OF slaves, hard by the still preserved slave
quarters, now significantly empty, and 10 the
midst Of the acres of graves within which are
the earthly chambers OF repOSe" of the CORY
bodies and mangled remains of the union dead,
gathered from hospital and battlefield to the
number OF sixteen thousand, this vast con-
course Of people, assembled from every rank,
station, nationality, and race, irrespective OF
age or sex. unite to honor and render homage
TO the nations loyal dead.
citing the customs in olden times of decorating
heroes graves with flowers, citing many ma
tional instances from the earliest ages and said:
Why this honor to the soldier dead7 Why deck
the soldiers tomb with the fresh, fragrant fioW-
ers of spring? These garlands and wfeaths we
streW here today are beautiful and fragrant,
depart with the setting sun. This coronation
OF floral offerings is nothing to the dead; it is
much to the living. These dead have no cap
1v t put the grave and they are beyond our
II the spirit which moved us to bring hither
these offerings is as perishable as the now orna-
permanent value to the living or the dead. This
solemn and beautiful ceremony will be most
shameless, WantOn mockery IL our souls are not
nIieo with that high and holy resolve which In
Sp1red them These dead, with stout hearts,
beat with patriotic zeal while in life against
their countly'S foes.
we shall dishonor their memories If we prove
faithless to their example. While their lives
ebbed out on the bloody field of war or they
died more slowly OF wounds, want, or disease
IN hospital or prison, their country remained a
freedom to the oppressed. We chant the story
OF their greatness by singing to the world OF
the deeds accomplished, the successes gained,
sacrifices. But for these sixteen thousand dead
and their dead and living comrades. the gov
ernment OF the people by the people and for
tAO PCoplC NOulu nave peTISNeO from Cno odcCl.
Next he dwelt upon the evils the rebeIi.on
brought upon our land and said: But for the
rebellion, civilization and Christianity would
have stood stin In at least one half OF the terri
tory OF this Union. But for the complete over
throw OF the rebellion and the triumph of the
Union arms this now united nation would have
6een dlsmembered-two flags would have
fioated over the Inhabitants OF divided coun-
try, and at least one new nation would have
been In being, having for its primal object the
preservation and perpetuation Of human
baneful doctrine would have attained that our
national organic act conferred no power not
SUBJECT to be controlled, withheld, or termi-
by sae tSe Had the rebellion
complished fact. instead of being united, lib
erty- loving people, with singleness OF purpose,
with one flag and one destiny, and a govern.
ment to be emulated by all other nations OF the
earth, there would have been two feeble ma
tionaiities engaged In exhausting the resources
ana energies OF each other in perpetual strife,
uhlea1eo ana unhonored, Truly may it be said:
20 not IN vain our martyrs sighed
And not In vain our her oes died"
Next the orator paid tribute to the bravery
OF the American soldier. But he made q dis
n the Of soldiers IL
the French Marshal Moreau fallen at Hohen-
rpden at the bead OF French army, and not
iss a ef Saa nn1rg viii the combined despot
and for her dlsmembel ment, he would have had
nation OF people to honor and adore his name
ana perpetuate his fame. Had Arnold fallen at
Point, bis bravery and renown would have been
placed alongside OF Warren and other disttn.
gu1shed patl lot dead Of the war OF the revolu-
tlon. Had Jefferson Davis fallen at Buena
vista he would have been spared traitors
fame and the humiliation of Irwinsville and
his name would have been registered among
E. Lee paid the penalty Of devotion to his coun-
try at MexicO's capital, he would have been re-
mem9ered IN luture years as one who never de-
serted his countrys nag In the hour OF her
Having spoken Of the dead comrades OF the
late war, the speaker called attention to the
history Of all nations teaches that fre9uent lent re rue
cuIrence to the principles which animated their
patriots IN times OF peril is essential to the
R1eservauon Ies ana perpetuatlon Of the results Of
called upon by the same high obligation to pre-
serve and perpetuate the results OF these
called upon for their accomplishment. When
danger threatens, we should initiate their high
resolve. In the presence of the tombs Of our
OF their heroic lives. Imbued with their patriot.
ism, their love OF constitutional liberty and the
spiliI OF nationality, let us transmit these
quaiitles un1mpaired to our posterity.
AS our work Of love and devotion closes with
the DAY, and we turn again for another year to
the common duties OF life, with renewed pledges
ana devotion to our county filling our hearts
remembering that our patton, though proud
a. IF1Suuy among Cne 0aJ1OnS or the world ia
the only surviving truly free republic to which
the oppressed OF all lands turn their eyes filed
with expectation and hope, let our anxious in
qully for our country future be
How shall its eagle be unfurled
IN broader grandeur to the world
CLOSING EXERCISES.
AN original ode by Past Deputy Commander
X. q. Staples was next sung by Quartette of
FaTagutS Post, No. 1, of the Department of
Virginia, which was followed by music by the
Marine band and chorus by the Sangerbund
entitled "That Flag OF Ours.' A benediction
by Rev. A. +. Mason closed the impressive ex-
elcises at the amphitheater.
Exercises at the Soldiers, Home.
The services at the Soldiers Home National
cemetery were under the direction of Com
mander Edwin M. Truell, who called the as
sembly to order. Rev. II. r. NaylOr followed
with prayer and selected choir sang hymn
entitled "In This Sacred Presence Now" Com
rae e w. w. Granger then recited an original
pot m.
MIR. GRAEGER'S POEM.
we have room but for the following extract.
I'D dwelling pathetically upon the ravageS and
dt va station of war, the poet says:
-" he gold 1t cost can be summed up, and paid;
7 cities burned can be rebuilt, and made
4, ain the scenes Of busy life ana trade.
Ftf ships destroyed new keels can plough the
man;
II ravaged fields made wave anew with grau-
Bul chdt can pap J0r-iohO resf0re-oUR SLAIN!