Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-30
THB AMPHITHEATKR


head reflected soft light below. The green
of the surrounding harbor made pretty pic
lures under the canvass and sunlight From
either side OF the columns of the outer tier
flags were drawn and draped. Bannerets and
SHIELDS made centerp1ece5 In the beams be
tV cen the columns. Many OF the columns have
Teen grown around by Ivy ana Virginia creepers.
The speakers stand was very Handsomely ar
ranged. The speakers desk was Of solid m arb!e.
"E Pluribus Unum" was on the front OF 1t.
The desk was between the center columns.
From the middle OF the woodwork above large
flags depended to the two columns. In the
center was large shield, surrounded by ever
green's neatly draped. On the brickwork below
the desk the words, SIN MemOriam, stood out
In bright lockwood. The whole front OF the
stand was covered with flags and bunting The
Three bannerets sprang from the tops OF each
shield. The grass inside the amphtheater was
of a bright, fresh green: Not.many seats were
possible to seat them all. The people stood in-
side and outside the covered space during the
ceremonies and listened with interest to the
proceedings.
GETTING FROM ARLINGTON
was not near so pleasant as going. to either
pedestrians or people driving. The dust was
pretty bad early in the day. In the afternoon
too much trav cling had made 1T fearful. A
team raised dust enough to last month; and
every time one walking put foot down little
cloud OF the same delightful substance arose.
The heat and burdens Of the day had about
taken all the fun out OF those who went to
Ar1ns ton.
Exercises at Arlington.
At noon a national salute was fired by a
detachment OF the Signal Corps under Capt.
r. P. Strong, Z. S. army, The procession, con-
s1sting OF the committee, the invited guests,
members Of The Gar, ex.soldlers and sailors.
and the orphan children, formed at IL m. in
front Of the Arlington mansion and headed by
the Marine band marched 10 the tomb OF the
Unknown" where, halting. the band played
by the main road to the cemetery, where the
procession separated and proceeded with the
decoration Of the graves. The Marine band,
appropriate selections. After the decoration
OF the graves the procession reformed and
marched to the amphitheater, where the SER
vices where held.
Among those seated on the grand stand were
President Garfield, Secretary Hunt. Secretary
Window, Postmaster General James, Gen. Sher-
Gen. Poe, Col Bacon, and Mr.. j. s. Brown, the
Presidents private secretary.
AT THE AMPHITHEATER
the exercises were opened by music by the
Marine band, and Dept Commander Wm.
Gibson called the assemolage to order, saying:
Ladies and Gentlemen ana Comrades TO
preserve the memories OF those who fought in
defence OF the national unity, the Grand Army
OF the Republic has appointed the 30th OF May
and chairman OF the committee OF arrange
ments for decorating the graves of our fallen
comrades In this department, 1t Is my duty to
call this assembly to ORDER"
Rev. DIR. w. a. Hicks (of the Independent
Methodist churcb> then offered prayer.
Comrade W. w. Granger read stirring
original poem, too long for our crowded col
umns today. Its conclusion was as follows:
Things change and perish-grand deeds are immor-
And he whore name is welded, at Deaths portal,
To some grea. act makes it thereby undyinx.
Theirs have ben thus made desthiess who are
Round US to- day. beneath those green mounds
With fame Committed to their country's keeping
Their work is done. 1t cannot be rewarded;
Eu1 we their oomrsaes , and the flag they guarded
OF their true liver, brave deaths, and we'll earned
Long live the land they loved. to share the lustsr
Around its pathway. in the m .rch of nations;
Long shine each s:ar in It's grand constella'i IN.
Who gave their blood that country's lie to nour-
IApplause.l
Iaen Isa follewed music by the Marine band
Hon. Mark Fl. Dunnell, OF Minnesota, was
then introduced and delivered the grafton.
Ron. MARX H. DUNNELL's GRAFTON.
Mr.. Dunnell spoke in substance as follows:
graves OF fallen heroes, and we come to honor
them. We bring the beautiful flowers OF spring,
the red, the white and the blue, the faireSt and
finest products OF earth as our chosen en-
blems OF a1ectionate remembrance. Herolsm
In human conduct every age has admired.
The nation that does not keep in memory the
no place In the list of honored nations, and has
already merlted the scorn which will certainly
overtake her. Decoration day is truly day OF
lust sentiment and emotions growing into noble
resolves
awaken ard keep alive the higher sentiment Of
patriotism go essential to the life OF the ma
IioD. The hand @ that lays vs. the sweet and dell,
soldiers will grow stronger for the nations de-
fence. and the heart which inpels the tender
act will grow warmer towards the land for
which the hero gave his life. All honor to the
Grand Army OF the Republic, by whose action
1t was dedicated, and may the day be held in
sacred observance long after the present mem
bers OF this honorable association shall be
gathered to their fathers.
Some one may ask he said Ii l would keep alive
the memories OF the rebellion. For some pur-
lose certainly would. rOuld avert the curse
which would fall upon US by forgetfuiness OF
the unparalleled sacrifices which its suppression
made necessary. 1t would provoke the curse
OF Heaven, and would be little les5'than trea-
SOD itself: recall of.the struggle will show
how much was expended In life and treasure to
terminate 1t In the interest OF liberty and the
Union. There are other reasons why we should
not forget the war. A remembrance such as
w
OF the widow and the orphan Of the Union SOL
dier. We shall be more likely to demond that
every promise and pledge OF the government,
made at the time OF her extreme necessity,
shall be most faithfully kept Who shall ask
me to be blind to the noblest exhibitions OF
patriotism On the entire page OF human history?
RecOllectlOns OF the war for mere partisan pur-
poses would be unworthy and unpatriotic
They are HOt TO be tried In the interest of hate
and diScOrd. Where the noble and brave lie
buried, let US there pledge anew our devotion
to the government for which these men gave
up their lives. AS we again move amid their
graves, let me speak to you In the words 0l
another:
''Tread lightly, speak softly,
For hallowed the hours
Our hearts hold commune through
The language OF flowers
With the heroes now holding
Thsir furloughs OF rest
From the battles Of time
At their Ohieftain's behest."
Here now, at this grand hour, with all Nature
smiling about u.s. In sight Of the nations Capt.
tol, with the waters Of the classic Potomac
rolling past US to the sea, washing the
sacred lands which Washington so loved, and
where many thousands each year go to visit mis-
final resting place, what may De The thoughts
which should most impress us? Some lesson
should come from this visit. These flowers
| will fade, exquisite though they be. We may
even forget the transactions of this day, but
| shall nothing be left in the minds OF these who
| are now present? Shall they not accept an
follow some conception OF what the govern
ment now needs and what 1t shall need in the
near and remote future? These graves about
US tell the result OF terrible conflict Of arms