Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-28
MEMORIAL DAY.
KEEPING THE GRAVES GREEN,
Of the Soldiers in Gray !
To the Patriots who Died for Dixie
Belong It's Spring Flowers.
Address Of Dol. Vim. Preston Johnston.

was broken when the flags OF the Con-
federacy were turled at Appomattox.
Many of these, such as the Long
streets aud 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 it's 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, developed 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 Illuminating
scenes enacted in the South, by the
unrelenting conqueror. No matter
how much we may feel that we have
descended from the proud position
held by this people since 1861, when
our States unfurled their lone star
battle-hags to defend their sovereign
ty, all can feel that the devoted pa
triots who cheerfully gave up their
lives i'll 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 dead
heroes, that this and the generations
which are to follow. will pluck one by
one the lost Jewels which constituted
Honor's diadem, in the land of Dixie.
1t is well then, that each year, the
men, the women, and especially the
youth of the South. should bring the
rarest flowers to the mounds which
mark the spot where courage and un-
selfish patriotism slumber.
DECORATION DAY.
On Tuesday last. Goth instant, was
unheralded by announcements of pa
geants or displays. 1t had been stated
only, that flowers for decorating the
graves, would be received by a COM
mittee appointed by the Confederate
Veterans. and that Col. VIM. Preston
| Johnston, President of the Louisiana
State University, would deliveran adj
dress, at the Magnolia Cemetery, at
i5P. NJ.
! Though the sun was obscured now
and then by passing clouds. yet the
weather was propitious. In an infor-
nal way, the people, early in the
evening began to gather about the
cemeteries, where the graves Of the
soldiers had been cleared of vegeta-
ton and becomingly marked. Bou-
quets of fresh flowers were placed
upon all these, so that the friendless
and unknown even, were not omitted
At the appointed hour, Rev. j. Il
Dawes, Col. Johnston and Mayor Jas
tremski, assembled the appropriately
decorated platform, in presence of {
large concourse Of people, among
whom were very many ladies.
The assemblage having been called
to order, Mr.. Dawes, pastor of TIT
Methodist Congregation, offered
short prayer in behalf of the dead sol
diers of the Confederacy, in yer,
feeling and eloquent manner.
At its close, Mayor Jastremski, ad
dressing himself to the audience said
, "Ladies and Gentlemen--It afford
me great pleasure to introduce t
you, Col. William Preston Johnston
/ a gentleman whom President Jctfel
son Davis honored by attaching hil
to his personal staff. A son of the il
, lustrious leader who gave up hi
: life for the South, Oh the field {
7 Shiloh, none more fttingly than he
g could address you on this occasion
t ThereupOn y
:. COL. JOHNSTON,