Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-06-15
MEMORIAL DAY.

MEMORIAL DAY.
On Wednesday last, the 9th inst, the usual |
annual tribute was paid to the 500 gallant Con-
federate soldiers who sleep in the "city Of the |
dead" in Thornrose Cemetery by large num- |
Der of ladies and gentlemen from the city and
county, As no special effort had been made to
attract large concourse-there being nothing
but the simple announcement that the day
would be observed as heretofore-the number
present was larger than expected. and renecteo
great credit upon the patriotism and auecton'
ate remembrance Of those who were present IN
such numbers.
At half-past ten O'Clock the procession was
formed on Main Street, and marcneo 10 Ine
cemetery, to the music ofthe Stonewail Brigade
Band and Drum Corps of Staunton. Inc pro-
cession consisted of the Stonewall brlgaoe
Band led by Prof. A. J. Turner; the west Au-
gusta Guard comm anded by Capt. w. L.. BUM
gardner; the Staunton Artillery, with one gun,
comman ded by 1t. Thee. Long; the Fire De-
partment Chief ]. II. Waters. composed OF the
Augusta Fire Company. commander Michael
Cox. and Friendship Hose Company. 1t. Chas.
E, Gregory; carriages containing the President
of the Association, the orator of the day. Chap
lain. Mayor of the city and others in private
carriages and a large number of citizens on
foot,
The Band and Fire Company of the d. ID. and
Blind Institution were not in the procession as
heretofore, owing to the fact that the final ex-
ercises of that Institution occurred on that day.
much to the regret of many besides the pupils
of that Institution who take great pleasure IN
participating in these sacred ceremonies IN
honor Of the Confederate dead.
In Newtown the street was spanned by
beautiful evergreen arch, decorated with hags
OF red, white, and blue bars. erected by the
Newtown Hose Company. and decorated by the
-lndies OF that portion OF the city. 1t bore the
Inscription: "WK1coME TO ALL"
After the procession reached the cemetery
grounds, it proceeded to the speakers stand,
and when the military and civic companies,
and the citizens generally, had been arranged
in proper order in front of it, after music by the
Stonewall Band, Prayer was offered by Rev. j.
e. Booker, Pastor Of the Second Presbyterian
church.
Then Col. Jas. n. Skinner, President of the
Memorial Association, introduced, in appro-
pirate terms, Capt. John N. Opie, the orator OF
the day, who then, in an impressive manner.
delivered the following excellent address which
was frequently applanded:-
ADDRESS BY CAPT. JOHN N. oPIE.
Mr.. President, Felloao Soldiers, Ladies and Cen
Hennen: f7-t
From time immemorial 1t was custom of
the ancient Grecians to assemble together an
nually, to honor and celebrate their heroes who
hymns and peans sung in their praise. Their
children who were always reared and educated
by the public, were exhorted. and were taught
That it was glorious to die for their coun try.
and to vie with each other in following the ex-
ample OF their iIlustrious fathers.
The Emperor Napoleon declared that 1t was
his Intention to adopt the orphans of his SOL
diers who were killed at the battle of Auster-
litz and to add to theirs the name of Napoleon,
but was prevented by incessant war and his
final dethrOnement.
Now it is said by a great many that we honor
the dead, but neglect the living. The embar-
rassment of her finances has prevented Virgin
ia from making any organized effort In this
direction; but assert that no true soldier nor
dier's widow or q soldiers orphan.
once more it is our melancholy privilege to
assemble upon this sacred spot in honor OF our
gallant dead. Our arms are scattered. our guns
are silenced, and our banners forever furled
hearts Of their countrymen, and their deeds q
valor are yet recorded in the archives of mem.
DRY. The South may forgive her wrongs. but
forget her dead? Never!
"Forget them in the banquet hall
Go ask our fellow men,
Or ask these tears that silent fall,
If we forget them them"
When the Duke of Ormond was told of the
death of his son, he proudly exclaimed, ~
would not give my dead son for any living SOL
in England" So it is with us-we would moi
give our dead heroes for. every living soldier III
christendom. They are all that is left to us o
the lost cause-a grand and sacred legacy to be-
For fortitude, valor, and patriotism, for de.
votion to just cause, and patience in starva.
nor Carthage nor Greece nor Rome could evel
boast of Drawer men than they. Ever ready tx
march in the tentless camp, or upon the dead
ly battlefield, they were the wonder and aG
miration of the world.
can boldly assert that it never retreated with
out ORDERS never refused to advance when COM
tie. That though half-fed and half-clad. they
never mutinied; though withoutpay, they ney-
ton to show when or where any army endured
as many prtvations. fought as many battles
and commended so long and so successfully q
gainst such tremendous odds. mean no re-
Election upon the men of the North when say
that they could not contend with their brother,
numbers though / can c6eerfully say that som,
OF the bravest and most heroic men 1 ever saw
e sadera esa and
No country, either In ancient or moderl
times, in one generatisn, ever produced tire
Lee, Stonewall jackson and J. E. B. Stuart
Napoleon was q greater military genius thai
best Of great men. Ney, the great French Mar
shall he who commanded the rear guard OF thu
COW, was not to be compared to the greStest O
American generals-Stonewa!l jackson. Tn
white plumed cavalryman of France-the gal
who was not only a great commander, but 1
patriot and a soldier and a christian.
Greece. feonidas, with three hundred men. il
narrow defile of mountain, withstood ri
whole army. Each man solemnly swore to di
rather than retreat For three whole days dfl
that little band of heroes resist that might!
torrent column after column was hurled a
gainst them to be driven back in hopeless con
fusion the mountain gorges and defiles wer
filled with their dead and dying enemies blu
monument to their memory, and this was tn
epitaph: 'Stranger, go tell the Spartans tina
liberties"
f P was at the first battle OF Manassas, whe,
jackson had formed the line of battle, and Be
and Bartoes brigade had been driven through
our ranks, carrying with them their dead ans
wounded when that hero martyr, Bee. had ut
tered those historic words "There stands Jack
son and his men like stone wall" when tina
stone wall had become wall of living fire. tn
first charge had been made and the Henry
house taken, when shot and shell were falling
upon all sides, when voliey after volley wa.
poured upon us like hall from the heavens
when confusion was at its greatest and victory
when all trembled for the result, then it was
that the noble. the patriotic. the brave William
me DEATH" An all-wise and ail-mercifu]
Father, fOreSeelng LnaC ne could not give him
liberty gave him that which, without liberty
is dearest to the heart Of every patriot. Yonde,
never retreat Give me liberty or give mi
DEATH"
In some silent city of the dead without ever
aslab to mark his last resting place, there slum
bers hero unknown to fame. Always first il
advance. and last in retreat, he fell at the sec
ond battle of Manassas, while proudly bearing
alOft the tattered colors of the grand old "33rd.
His name was Charles Swoope.
mo marble bestows
The splendor of woes .
Which the children of vanity rear,
- No fiction of fame
EmblaZons his name
All he asks-all he wishes-a tear"
Who Of you does not nonor and revere tn,
name Of William s. H. Baylor9 That maj
without fear and without reproach the braves
OF the brave. the truest of the true the first il
every charge; he laid down his young life
willing sacrifice upon the altar of his country
It was custom ofthe Roman Centurions whel
the legfons fought with less than their usua
ardor and impetuosity, to snatch the eagles ant
Aurl them into the ranks of the foe. The gal
lapt Baylor, more brave even than the Roman