Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-29


to those to whom they are paid. The apprecia-
ton of honor, of bravery and patriotftm. argues.
II net the possession Of these virtues, at least
cara capacity for them. May it be long, indeed. be-
sad yet glorious occasion. What filter place in
all the land for such observance than here
where, In sight Of that grand Soldiers Home,
viii h tells how munificently the nation can
provide for the old age of its disabled defenders
and by these graves, which tells how nobly her
sons Can deserve such care In life and
t fueh , honor in nsor death 1t is ftling.
the Lord God Omnipotent as their God,
who recognize in Him and His Providence the
source OF their individual and national welfare,
nal laws the foundation On which to build
their Own, should not forget, at such time. to
eau t On MS name with earnest thanks for all His
prayers for His guidance and protection. and
that He will keep alive in all our hearts that
love OF country, OF liberty and Justice which
VII enable us to emulate, IL need be- the grand
example OF those amongst whose graves we
stand. To this end let us now, with bowed
heads and reverent hearts, unite In solemn
prayer for the land we love- to save which these.
and countless other dead. laid down their lives
| have the pleasure OF introducing to you the
Kew. MI. Whittlesey, who wi | lead our devo-
tons on this occasions.
Rev. E. WhtttleSey offered an Invocation and
the octette sung abide With Me-
Mr.. JOHN sAvARY's POEM
MT. Jonn SavaIy was then introduced. and
IL 1u I4IO ioIioN4uS pOtu.
Memorial Verses.
lRead at Soldiers Home, May 20, 1901
BY JOHN sAvARY.
We, from our places in the world who keen
Come to- ts 81 Sara ae ae @c we may not weep
Memorial blooms upon their dust who sleep.
The White roi ID iilies, or the pansies iets
These like dark eyes in tears. and those unstaned
b11hg loves red rote, and pale ones of regret.
For they who passed through battle to the bourn
Vow to Their county, as true lovers keep
Iryst with the loved one. them We proudly mourn
Not with passion CT spent useless tears
WIN mi, me e 1eHbS OF our q .efs ard fears
tut WIN inr solemn purpose Of the years.
For the broad charter Of our freedom get,
10 Wh'eh the setl o. their rue lives was set,
Pleo9ing the hopes of freedom to mankind
Remembering THAT it "ost. can We forget?
Look a. one scene, the last scene of the war,
AND feel the beatings of this co,oiuD cor;
Ar OF the Union then, of the flag.
what is 1t worth: aud what is all this for?
shsoh 70 the tread Of armies marching home home.
Wen did the noble street itself become
lhe VIA sACRA OF our western Rome.
The storm Of cheers that drowned the tramping
The welcome thunders of the fort and fleet
ne ram OF smiles from beauty's showery eyes,
Made lie more beautiful, and death more sweet
And sweet it always was for men to die
For that idea Of country which the eye,
Inc ear, the heart, the soul of man absorbs
from sea ana shore, from II alive sun and sky.
In storm and stress of action when the shell
And shot screamed round them like a breyet hell
Or in the cot where sickness, pain and woe
Held the night watch, they played their parts-how
Welt
Enrolled E on Hstory,s page, than duke or don
More happy IN the Muse which hands them on
10 future age, they Walk as worthy with
Epaminondas and our Washington.
know rot well what place for them is best
What FIELDS Elysian, or what Islands Blessed,
II there be such-it matters not-I know
That they have earned their wage aud that is-rest
They bore the march, the bivouac, and the camp,
The burning suns. the drenching rains. the damp
The murderous miasms OF the marsh and swamp.
Since they have entered in the cloud of death,
They have become enobled, as one saith,
Joining the ranks of heroes Who have zone
To pleasant meads and groves Of spicy breath.
No more to seek the field of strife. or roam
Where battle breakers dash to crimson foam
Their shattered fves, but havened in the deep
hest OF the heavenly country's Soldiers Home.
II springs bland airs, or summers ardent feet
Have made the green sward and the branches meet
10 build their bowers meath happier skies than
know not where, but all is calm and sweet.
They have ESCAPED the fever and the fret
VI acton here, the swet3r and the sweat
PURSUIT and charge, and ali the battle set
Yea. on the edge of battle, where the bees
OF humminF bullets stung the tiereest, these
In that great moment of their lives supreme
In awful JOY, were touched to perfect peace.
They are as those who in cold marble keep
Their lofty lineaments serene and deep
Beneath all surface flow, and ebb, aud change,
Strong in the thought that laid them so asleep.
That thought was Gods, their country. and the
truth:
And He who made them, with tender ruth,
SeiZed the just moment of their lives in flower,
And babe them flourish in eternal youth.
The Decoration Hymn by the octette fol-
quent Grafton, and Rev. Mr.. Whittlesey pro-
bounced the benediction, after which the graves
were decorated by the veterans,
The committee here was composed of Mrs.
Mamie Rainey, Eva c. Angel, Ella Chaplin and
Annie Hebrew.
At the Congressional Cemetery.
At this cemetery there was quite a large as
semblage, who assisted the following deco-at-
Ing committee to place flowers on the graves of
the soldiers and sailors there buried: Charles f.
smith, cemetery superintendent; General w, T.
Clark, E. ID. Town, j. M. Kline Elmer X. Rev
holds, Mrs. J. NJ. Kline Willie A. Smith, Mrs. b.
The following selections Of music were rendered
by the choir: Chant 1.-THE Lords Prayer:D me-
moi lal song, "Strew Blossoms on Their Graves:n
chant. psalm &c" The choir was composed
ganist: Miss Nellie Deland. Mrs o. Shomo Miss
Ida Deland, Miss Annie Waller Charles Drexel
James Mason and o. V. ShOmo.
At 1890 O'Clock the decorations OF the graves
being completed COmrade Tureu called the as
semblage to order, making remarks as follows:
Comrades, and Ladies and Gentlemen:-We
meet to pay our annual tribute Of praise and
thank Offering to the memory OF our heroic
d..4A twvv,n AofA rlcv~. ~.