Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-05
FROM CHICAGO.

EhUM Gu1OA0U.
ClrrespOndence Of the Ledser.l
CHICAGO, june 1.-Within the last
twenty-four hours past the change in
the weather's temperature has been
one of the most remarkable and ex-
traordinary, as well as unexpected,
events that has ever startled this city.
At II am. yesterday the thermometer
stood at 9O' above. Gradually from
that hour a west wind began to blow,
increasing in strength as time went BY;
at the same time the thermometer
began gradually to fall. At 4 pm,
the thermometer dropped to 1O' above
freezing, whilethe wind howled fright
fully, making sad havoc with awnings,
signs, ETC., hats and bonnets Of pedes-
TRANS, and causing them to beat a
retreat to shelter. Those compelled
TO be out on business had to don over
coats and wraps. The change was
simply astounding. Fortunately the
storm had spent its fury before reach
ing Chicago, and none of the horrors
1t visited upon the people Of Missouri.
Kansas and Nebraska were heaped
upon the denizens Of the Garden
City" The account Of the cyclones
vengeance upon those States, as men
toned in the Times of this morning
is simply blood-curdling. Surely such
a horrible visitation was not the work
of Providence. As the consequent
distress will be great Chicago will
Immediately join her sister cities in
raising a relief fund, although she,
herself, is in no prosperous mood,
financially, to attend to other than her
own poor.
A black stain, more black because
Of the occasion, rested upon the deco
ration services yesterday. With this
exception, a grievous one, the day
passed off in every way propitiously.
the ceremonies being of the choicest
kind, and participated in BY the mill
tary, civic authorities and bodies.
orders Of the Grand Army Of the Re.
public aud veteran societies and citi-
zens of all grades. The stain / refer
10 was this: Mrs. Wager reeited a
poem about Andersouyille, written BY
"a Mrs. A. P. Strasburg. In it were a
number Of splenetic excavations
against "rebel brigadiers " and jeff
Davis, president Of the late Confede-
racy. These diatribes were applauded
loudly by a portion OF the multitude
in listening, while hundreds of old
veterans in line frowned at the seDti.
ments. This noticeable discounten-
ancing of uncalled for reflections upon
those who battled CALAMITY for princi.
pie was proof beyond doubt that the
master OF ceremonies was not aware
that the s%acredness Of the day was to
be profaned by word or act. Those at
the head OF the organizations that
participated in expressions of respect
and honor to the dead heroes are
gentlemen in every sense Of the word
even though they may be radical
Republicans. Two Of these your cor.
respondent ia intimately acquainted
with, General Martin BEEN aud Col
w. 5. Scribner, both gallant soldiers
and elegant gentlemen, standing fore.
most in the front ranks Of Chieago's
best society. Ii was Il most unfor.
tunate thing that anything should
have been said or done to mar
the solemn festivities. Ii was
an occasion that should have
called forth heartbeats and tears. in.
stead of engendering i'll feeling and
opening up graves of animosities long
since covered by those of both sec
tions who crossed swords in terrible
war, When |, q Confederate soldier
who did his best for the cause, laid
down my arms. it was with the belief
that the promises Of the c~onquerinp
power would be faithfully carried out,
and that the compact entered into
between the c0nqueror and conquered
would be respected to the minutest
point Of honor. Aud this would. most
certainly, have been the case If the
fighting soldiers had q proper voice in
the affairs of the government for
which they underwent untold hard.
ships to p%erpetuatc. / can we'll un.
derstand why the author of the poem
on Andersonville might have given
way to feelings of passion, but why
that poem should have been selected
for such an occasion ! cannot con
ceive. But | am confident it was mol
chosen with any knowledge of til,
expressions it contained against con
quered enemies. This is the mos
charitable construction | can plac,
npOn the unfortunate selection o.
Mrs. Wager. Let it not be aader,
stood that any neglect was paid The
graves Of those who died for ia,