Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-30
THE GRAVES GREEN
Of the Soldiers in Gray!
To the Patriots who Died for Dixie
BeIongits Spring Flowers.
Address Of Col, VIM. Preston Johnston

aiance due to the South by her sons,
was broken when the flags OF the Con-
federacy were turled at Appomattox.
Many of these, such as the Long
streets and Mahones, have thought
it expedient, either for the advance
ment of their personal interests, or
the general good, to sever their po-
litical connection with their old COM
rades. and have instead associated
themselves with the adherents Of that
PARTY, which sowed the wind that
brought the whirlwind Of civil war
to the land of Washington,
We will not here fling the arrow OF
denunciation in any quarter, for the
reason that its sting is doubtless deep
" imbedded in the hearts of those
whose course may already have caus-
ed them to ask their conscience
whether they are yet worthy OF their
comrades in gray, who, enveloped in
glory's mantle, are sleeping where
the charging columns passed to drive
the foe from our sunny Southland.
No matter what role individuals
may have played in the humiliatlng
scenes enacted in the South, by the
unrelentins conqueror, No matter
how much we may feel that we have
descended from the proud position
held by this people since 1861, when
orr States unfurled their lone star
battle-hags to defend their sovereign
tv. all can feel that the devoted pa
triots who cheerfully gave up their
lives in the trying days which follow
ed, are unstained by any shame
which may have been affixed to the
brows of the survivors.
1t is around the graves OF the deao
heroes, that this and the generations
which are to follow, will pluck one b1
one the lost Jewels which constituted
Hopor's diadem, in the land of Dixie
r It is well then, that each year, tn
men. the women, and especially tn
youth of the South, should bring tn
= rarest flowers to the mounds whlc
G mark the spot where courage and un
selfish patriotism slumber.
DECORATION DAY.
!. On Tuesday last, 26th instant, wa
unheralded by announcements OF pa
/. reants or displays. 1t had been state
only. that flowers for decorating I'll
d graves, would be received by con
Of mittee appointed by the Confedera
" Veterans, and that Col. VIM Presto
y Johnston, President OF the Loulsla1
IS. State University, would deliveran az
to dress, at the Magnolia Cemetery,
5P.M
Though the sun was obscured nc
n and then by passing Clouds yet t
no weather was propitious. In an info
us nal way, the people, early In t
he evening began to gather about t
Is cemeteries, where the graves OF t
his soldiers had been cleared of veget
no ton and becomingly marked. Be
he duets of fresh flowers were plat
'es upon all these, so that the friendl
nd and unknown even, were not omlttt
VI At the appointed hour, Rev. }.
lch Dawes, Col. Johnston and Mayor }
H. tremski, assembled the appropriate
NJ decorated platform, in presence o.
Old large concourse of people, am'
sh- whom were very many ladies.
euS The assemblage having been ca
to order, Mr.. Dawes, pastor OF
Methodist Congregation, Offered
Gan short prayer in behalf of the dead
'ne diers of the Confederacy, in a
'eA feeling and eloquent manner.
) as At it's close, Mayor Jastremski,
, , dressing himself to the audience S
'oi' "Lddies and Gcntlemen-lt at
7piS me great pleasure to introduce
'lie YOU, Col. William Preston Johns
.he a gentleman whom President Je
lally son Davis honored by attaching
nc to his personal staff. A son OF TIA
'le"' lustrious leader who gave up
"er' life for the South, Oh the tiel'
Shiloh, none more fttingly than
Il i'' could address you on this occas
L ''' TherellDOn