Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-05-01
IN MEMoRIAM.

| which, Tor several years paSs, h"o "'oA
set apart for the holy mission OF
strewing flowers on the graves OF the
unselfsh patriots VIII" gave up their
lives in defence of the Lost Cause.
Showers of rain had moistened the earth
and the green foliage that shades the un-
pretcntious abodes, where the dead SOL
dies who wore the gray, await i'll peace
the sound of the trumpet that will mark
the hour of eternal resurrection.
There were many who believed tsat
the Indictment weather would cause a
postponement of the exercises, so the
attendance was small, much smaller in
numbers by far than ever before.
At3p. NJ, however, the clouds had
vanished and the sun of Manassass Shi-
loh and Baton Rouge, shonc as radiantly
as when on those fields it cast it's blaz
ing light on the swaying lines whose
glittering steel sent back to tho heavens
the flashes invented by man for the des-
tructiOn of man.
At4p. NJ, the battalion of Louisiana
Cadets, led by their gallant Command
ant, Lieutenant lamar, U. S. A., at the
roll of the drum, took up the limo OF
march towards the cemeteries, accom-
panied by number of gentlemen and
ladies', whom naught could deter from
paying their respects to our beloved
dead.
The cortcgc first entered the Catho-
lie Cemetery, where every grave was
visited and marked by miniature, Con-
fedcrate flag, under which bouquets OF
fresh flowers were laid.
Then the march was again taken up
to the Magnolia Cemetery, where astand
had been erected for the accommoda-
ton of the speaker and the officers of
the Confederate Memorial Association
and it's guests.
After the floral offerings had been de-
posted, the asscmblage was cal!cd to
order by Major John Preston, who in
troduccd Rev. IT Sawyer, who delivered
one of the most fervent and sOul-stirring
PRAYERS we have ever heard Oh such an
occasion. 1t was frank, manly and
patriotic appeal, free of those insnccrc
remarks which too often mar the sane
tity of like ceremonies. 1t was prayer
that the fallen braves would have knclt
to before the deadly charge was ordered
transformations, but as true us their
own faithful spirits to their Southland
aud their God.
At It's close, Major Preston, introduced
Professor J. W. Nicholson, who, in neat
and beautiful terms, delivered a most
eloquent and appropriate address, one
rcplete with TRUTH coupled with senti-
ments which accorded full Justice to
the men with whose blood has been
written pages in history, that will stand
unmatched for self-sacrifcc, hcroism and
those virtues that constitute the patriot
in every land-a shining example
to be followed, if need be, by
the sons of illustriOus sircs. Lousian
ians can well say, "noblcsse oblige," whcl
pointing to those enduring records. OF
whose scrolls the names of Lee, jackson
and Polk arc cntwincd as the prominent
figures, of whom the talented orator
discOurscd,
The address was brief, too brief, 81
the listeners expressed it;-for it wa
full of flowcry pathos, frelingly said b!
one who himself had been in tn
front of battle beside those comrades
..whOm the sound Of the drum will ncvc
more awaken
We would have been most happy t.
have reproduced in our columns the yer.
eloquent and rhetorical address deliver
cd by the popular orator, had not hi
modcsty prevented him from writin!
down beforehand the words that h
uttered so well on this occasion--word
that were listened to with the deepes
, attention to the end, when the mos
hattering applause and congratnlation
were extended him, which must surcl,
have afforded him ample reward for hi
brilliant effort.