The National tribune., 1882-09-16
FATHER STEPHENSON.
Memorial Ceremonies Over the Remains Of the
G.. A. R'S Founder.

Memorial Ceremonies Over the Remains Of the
G. A. R's Founder.
Special Correspondence National Tribune.
PETERSBURG, ILL, September 9.-Dr. 2. F.
Stephenson, the founder of the Grand Army of
the Republic, died August Goth, 1871, and was
buried at Rock Creek, small graveyard about
eight miles south of this place. A lot in Rose
Hill cemetery was recently given to Estil Post
by one of our most publie-spirited citizens, Mr..
William I. Conant, for the burial of Union
soldiers. He also proposed to bear the expense
of removing the remains Of the late Dr. Steph-
enson and re-interring them with appropriate
ceremonies
On the Both ult. large concourse of people
assembled to witness the exercises. At i3O ..
IN. procession was formed near the public
square of this city under the direction of Col.
c. BOurke, marshal of the day, in the follow
ing order: Band; Harris Guards as escort,
under command Of Lieutenant Jas Careman:
invited guests in carriages; hearse, drawn by
four horses, containing the remains of the de-
ceased; Estil Post, G. A. r.; carriages contain
ing Mrs. Stephenson, son, and daughters Mary
and Carrie, Mrs. Houghton, Mrs. Swingle, and
Mrs. Spears sisters Of the late DIR. Stephenson,
and a line of carriages three-fourths of mile in
length
At the grave the burial service, according
10 the ritual of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, was observed. Prayer was offered by the
Rev. Francis Springer, d. D., Of Springfield,
acting chaplain for the occasion, when Com
mander Blame, of Estil Post made the following
remarks:
COMMANDER BLANE's ADDRESS.
One by one, as the years roll on, we are
called together to fulfill the last sad duties of
respect to our comrades of the war. The pres
ent, full of the cares and the pleasures of civil
life, fades away, and we look back to the time
when, shoulder TO shoulder, on bloody battle
fields, or around the guns of our men-Of- war, we
fought tor our dear old flag. We may indulge
the hope that the spirit with which, Oh land
and sea, hardships, privatiOns, danger, were
encountered by our dead heroes a spirit un-
complaining, nobly, manfully, obedient to the
behest OF duty, whereby to-day our Northern
hOnors are secure, and our loved ones rest in
peace under the aegis Of the 1ag, will prove
glorious incentive to the youth who, in the
ages to come, may be called to uphold the
destinies of our country. AS the years roll on,
we, too, shall have fought our battles through,
and be laid to rest our souls following the
long column to the realms above, as grim
death, hour by hour shall mark its victim
Let us SO live that when that time shall come,
those we leave behind may say above our
graves: "Here lies the body Of a true
hearted, brave and earnest defender of the
Republic"
4 comrade then stepped forward and placed
a wreath Of evergreens upon the coffin, saying:
"In behalf of our Post, l give this tribute, q
symbol Of an undying love for comrades of
the war" Another comrade stepping forward
and placing a rose upon the coffin said
"Symbol of purity. We offer at this lowly
grave rose. May future generations emulate
the unselfsh devotion of even the lowliest
OF our heroes" A third cOmrade, laying
laurel leaf upon the coffin, said: Last token
of affection from comrades in arms. We
crown these remains with symbol of victory"
The chaplain then made some appropriate
remarks, and, after the singing of an anthem,
Judge J. II. Matheny, Of ofSpriDgfeld, delivered