Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-05-31
At Oakland Cenuetery.


That part of the procession destined for
Oakland, arrived at the cemetery about
o'clock, having been preceded by large num-
Der of citizens in vehicles and on foot
The grounds were bedecked in natures love-
liest aspect. A more beautiful and peaceful
resting place for the honored dead the heart
could not long for. To the cunning of art
sweet nature had added her choicest handi-
work.
Theacity of the dead could not have looked
more touchingly beautiful. The recent rains
had clothed the grasses and trees in most YER
nal and deepest green. Everywhere, on mar
BILE shaft and lonely mound, were evidences Of
the work of thoughtful hearts and loving,
tender hands. All nature seemed 70 smile in
beniflcent gladness, and the rain drop, pendant
from leaf and bough and modest daisy, glis.
tened as though nature, too, had but veiled
her face awhile, to smile a benediction In tears.
Flowers were there too in the most endless
profusion, beautiful IN pnrity, color and per-
fume, fitting chapletS with which to crown
the brows of the dead.
DECORATION EXERCISES.
Upon reaching the entrance to Oakland the
procession formed ,'and proceeded to the speak
er's stand, in the northwestern part of the
cemetery, on the way to which the band
der effect.
The exercises commenced with an introduc-
tory address by Capt. III. A. Castle, who spoke
eloquently, as follows
introductory ADDRESS by Henry 4. Castle.
Just twenty years ago, when the heresy of
State rights, the atrocity of treason, and the
multiplex crime of slavery had eliminated in
The hdeous infamy of rebellion, the imperilled
republic laid her hand upon the bosoms of her
loyal sons and found them glowing with the
same quenchless fires of devotion which warmed
their forefathers IN the dawn of her splendid
history. All that was golden in the life of
man, all that was glorious in human heritage
was promptly offered and lavishly sacrificed.
The flower of the generations youth, ,rapt in un-
clouded visions of career in this marvellous
nineteenth century sprang to the flaming front
and walled the line of clearage with palisades
of bristling steel. Resoute manhood ioyfully
cast the garnered wealth of toilful years into
the nations yearning Golfers. Benignant age
anointed all the offerings with the chrism of
feryent benedictions. And brave womanhood,
permeated with limpid and sonorous patriot
ism, upon which, as upon silver tympanum,
the peals and chimes of liberty are ever sweet
ly ringing, screened the SOULS anguish with
frightening smiles, and bade the hearts dear
ones go and dare and die.
Two million heroic names were inscribed on
the roll of honor, whereof, at the wars tri-
umphant end the chronicler reported five hun
dred thousand ''dead on the field of glory"
To the survivors an unforgotton co-dedica-
ton, joins with flooding memories of shared
perils in battle, march and camp, and of that
quick, sad parting, when, at a flash, the one
was taken and the other left, in commanding
stated proclamation to be made that the recol-
lection of this peerless martyrdom has not
perished from the earth. To all good men
and women the sentiment favorably appeals.
Accordingly this memorial observance
has been ordained wherein they who
love their conntry, and honor its liv-
ing and dead defenders, may unite in
testifying, by their presence and participation
in touching ceremonials, that these memen-
toes are still housed in the white bridal cham
bers of their souls; that they still steadfastly
believe the cause for which these men fought
was righteous cause, and that they here re-
new the high resolve that the dead shall not
have Gied in vain.
We make no apologies for attempting to
preserve broad approach of fame, and ever
ringing avenues of song" for the
slain comrades whom we commemo
rate here to-day, or exalting the principles for
which they made such infinite, but willing
self-immolation. Now are we, the survivors,
yet ready to admit that in fighting for the
ola nag ana the Union, Tor EMANCIPATION, and
for broader-if you please, stronger ma
tionality, we did aught to be ashamed of, or
that We should desire to forget. We are not
anxious to 'forget the war" or the honorable
part we bore in it. Least of all are we inclined
to forget the men VINO died in the flush of
their beautiful youth, that the Union might
live, that the flag might be apotheosized, that
the nation might be strengthened and that
the black man might be free. If there are
those who desire to forget their record in the
war, and beg the world to forget it, we can
only pledge commisseration for their past
depravity as well as their present stupidity
and leave them foundering in the shoreless
hell of the history themselves have written.
These buried heroes we now honor. died in a
holy cause, and already jubilant humanity