Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-30
stating that they aad assembled to engage
in q ceremony that belongs especially to the

StdtlHS tudl tney 1du aSSemOloQ 10 engage
in ceremony that belongs especially to the
present time and to our own country, a cere-
mony that has significance above monu-
ments and beyond statues. He said he was
speaking to an audience tnat had not its
counterpart In any assembly that met to-day
for similar purpose, for he had before him
the heroes of three wars; men who were with
Scott or Taylor In Mexico; men who tralled
the Seminole war; men who were with Grant
or Sherman in the late war. He mentioned
some of them-Sergeant John 7. Brayman, now
Sergeant John Walters, Major General John
Sedgwick's trusted orderly. COL Corkhill paid
noble tribute to Gen. Sedgwtck, under whom
he, himSelf, served In the iate war. Speaking
OF the Soldiers Home be said 1t is ian instiruI.
tion without parallel In any country under
the SURROUNDED by soldiers, sustained by
soldiers. sE and the lroperfy Of soldiers. TO Gen.
due the credit Of founding this home. 1t was
one OF the dreams OF his early service, aud the
hopes OF bis maturer manhood and when a
captured city lay at the mercy OF his victorious
army. the result OF many bloody and decisive
battles, he demanded Of them as tribute a
sum OF money sufficient to purchase this mag
n1f1cent property and to establish upon per-
manent basis this home for soldiers Of the
United States army. And am now addressing
men who know what its purchase cost;men who
followed the gallant General Shields, with re-
lentless valor, up the rugged ACTIVITY of Cha
pultepec who battered at the gates of Belen
and San Cosme, and levied the tribute that
devotion, generous sacrifice and heroic bravery
he PAID passing tribute to Gen Scott and
mIeIIing TO the fact that within plain view OF
graves OF six thousand of the sons OF the
republic; he briefly, but eloquently. reviewed
the origin and progress of the late war and
said: 1T is not true that the people of this
country are ungrateful. or that they have for
gotten the heroes who periled their lives for
their country's honor. 1t is but sixteen years
since the war closed. At the first election, the
general hPHama n
the United States, and he In turn was sue
ceeded by a distinguished citizen who had
earned the rank and title OF general while
leading the armies OF the union to battle.
And what of the present? In every department
OF the national government and In the ad-
ministration OF the affairs OF every state that
was 10y al to the flag. you find fully represented
the union soldiers Of the war Of the rebellion"
He recalled the incident that as Gen. Thomas
gums were thundeI1ng away OF Chicamauga, a
young officer--then the chief of staff of Rose
cTahZ-begged the privilege to join Gen. Thomas
at the front where the battle was raging. AT
the 1isk of his life, as he gallantly rode along
the line or death to meet this intrepid COM
mander, he was ut type OF the volunteer
soldiers OF the republic. he joined General
Thomas, and during the entire day, where
danger was the most imminent he was found.
And on the field he displayed such personal
courage and such distinguished ability that he
received not only the thanks OF hts commander,
but justly earned the right to wear the double
stars OF major general Of the army: Can it
be said that the country has forgotten her
heroes when the bronze statue of The immortal
Thomas adorns the fairest square Of the ma
tons capital, and that young officer, who was
his trusted assistant on that bloody field is to-
day the President OF the United States" Col.
Corkhiu closed with an eloquent tribute to the
dead soldiers they had met to honor, and was
heartily applauded.
After Col Corkhtlls grafton the anthem-The
American Union (F. Widdows) was sung by the
choir and the benediction was given by De-
partment Chaplain Rev. B. Swallow. The
veterans OF the Home and others then strewed
flowers on the graves. during which ceremony
the following selections of music we're rendered
by the choir: Ode-Tread Softly, this is nal
lowed ground; One Hundred Years ago, Ma
t1onal lHymn-America.
Congregational Cemetery.
The decoration Of the graves of the soldiers
and sailors at this cemetery attracted quite
large attendance. The assembly was called to
order by Comrade G. j. p. Wood, who said:
Ladies, Gentlemen and Comrades: Once again
wehave met IN this silent city OF the dead to pay
tribute OF love to the memory OF our comrades.
who lie sleeping here. Theirs is the sweet sleep
OF the just, who died not for themselves but
for their country. They responded to the call
OF duty when they left their homes to battle
for the rights OF man, that the glorious Union,
bought with the blood OF our fathers, should
not be destroy ed, but should live to bless the
millions yet to come. We do not come here to
strew their honored grave with flowers because
they died like brave men, no. but that we love
and believe In the cause for which they laid
down their lives, we come here and TO other
cemeteries of our land and hold these services
to keep their memories undimmed In the hearts
OF those who stood side by side with them when
they went down to death. Also that those
who have or win come after them may learn to
love their memory as we do, and love the
Union for which they died. AS ex-Union
soldiers and sailors we claim this day as belong
ing to the Union dead; the day OF all days on
which we stTew their graves with flowers
earth that was so oounttu1y sprinkled with
the loyal blood OF our departed comrades That
We may be better prepared for this holy and
solemn duty. let us bow our heads while the
ch aplafn 1nvokes the blessing OF God upon our
services.
The subsequent program was as follows:
Invocation. by Rev: N. Porter Smell; TIE Deum
In F, (Palmer) by the Choir; Poei:, "Come
Crown Them To- day with Memorial Flowers"
by Mrs: Maria Barton Greene. read by Comrade
Jno. Williams. Post 2; Under the Vaulted
rade Daniel Ramey, Post s; National Anthem,
CTennyl by the Choir; Benediction, by Rev. NJ.
Mr. F. S. Deland was director of the choir,
and Mrs. Lulu Denison organisL
Mr.. RAMEY's GRAFTON.
Mr.. Ramey, after sketching the growth of
liberty on our shores, said: "When organizing
the government plant was permitted to grow
along side the tree OF liDerty-human slavery.
If this e Plant aad been aug up and
today in this solemn duty Between the
greatest blessing OF man. liberty. and the
greatest evil tnaU human nature Is CapaOle or,
slavery, there could be no compromise, and
hence the war; which cost the best blood OF the
country and millions OF treasure; but 1t was
worth more than the cost, for we demonstrated
to the world that republican government can
be maintained, and we have to- day In return
the grandest government of the earth,'
Pilgrimage Of New York Veterans
10 the Tomb of Washington.
This morning George Washington Post, N ;
1o3. of New York city, Gen. Martin T. NC
Malone. commander, arrived here on the early
train, and being net by the Union Veteran
Corps, Capt. ThOmasSOn, were escorted to the
Arlington tel, where they took breakfast
subsequently they took omnibusses. and pro-
Vernon, where they will decorate the tomb of
Washington. They took with them ShrG 1er's
bald OF this CITY, and at the tomb there were
addresses delivered and other exercises. Among
those of the post here some 80 In number, are
Generals James n McQuade, b. W. SlOcum and
Asp1nwall
Decoration Day Notes.
The decoration OF the graves at Battle and
| Oak Hill cemeteries and the monuments
throughout the City was performed under the
dire ctiOn of Comrade John Riley.
The German Veteran Club decorated the
graves of the soldiers at Prospect Hill.
The washington Light Infantry by COM
| mittee decorated the graves of Lieut. o scar
| Rough and Private FltZ Hillmer at the Con
| gIessiOnal cemetery.
During the march of the soldiers to the Aque-
| duct bridge this morning George Mauski, prl-
vate in CO. b, z. &. artillery, was overcome by