The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-06-01
DECORATION DAY was duly observed in

DECORATION DAY was duly observed in
Vancouver, and a more imposing display
was made than ever before on any similar
occasion. The town was filed with people
from the country and from Oregon, no less
than three or four thousand persons coming
on the numerous excursion steamers, while
hundreds more came over from Portland in
carriages, crossing on the ferry. The exer-
cises of the day were carried out strictly as
proposed. At 1890 the line was formed on
the ample parade grounds of Vancouver
Barracks, the Mexican war veterans and
grand army at the right, next troops of 2lst
Infantry, and lastly the fire department of
the city. Gen. Nelson A. Miles and his
full staff, all mounted, and Gen. H. A.
Morrow and staff, also mounted, then passed
around the line in military order of review.
after which the march began, the column
passing the Generals and their stats in po-
sition in front of the post commanders quar-
tiers. The march was down through the
reserve into the city and back to the ceme-
terry, where the column was broke up, and
the addresses began. Gen. Miles, president
of the day, made few remarks quite to the
point, and introduced Rev. A. s. Nicholson,
who commenced the exercises with prayer.
Governor Thayer of Oregon then delivered
a short address, which was well received.
Mrs. Baldwin, wife of Capt Frank D. Bald
win, 9Th Inf, then spiritedly sang the "Star
Spangled Banner" with chorus made up
of hundreds of voices. Mrs. j. W. Cochran
then recited the poem entitled 1.-THE Loyal
Dead, written for the occasion by Capt.
H. H. Pierce, Adjt. 2lst Inf, which was
we'll rendered and enthusiastically received.
By permission we are enabled to present
this poem to our readers in this issue, and
it is well worth careful perusal. After the
recitation Judge Watson followed with his
address, which was polished production,
the effort of scholar. Mr.. Kinross of
Portland then sung "Marching through
Georgia" the chorus being furnished by the
multitude. The next and last speaker was
Gen. H. A. Morrow, who made the popular
speech of the day, eliciting much applause
from the vast audience, which clearly
showed that his hearers appreciated his ef-
fort as that of ripe scholar as well as an
experienced and able soldier 1t seemed no
effort in Gen. Morrow to strike a responsive
chord in all that vast assemblage OF FIVE
thousand people who listened eagerly to his
address. The exercises at the platform
then closed with benediction pronounced
by Rev. L. A. Banks. At every interval
appropriate music was rendered acceptably
by the 2lst Infantry band. After the con-
clusion Of the exercises many graves were
; strewn with flowers, and many tear was
shed for friends gone long before.
Throughout the day the proceedings were
all orderly and harmonious The Grand
Army of the Republic, the troops, and the
fiiemen all won credit by their 6ne appear
ance. During the day there was not an &C.
cident to mar the proceedings The thous-
snds came to and went from Vancouver
without any disturbance, and there were no
rows, and no fights. The efficient co-opera.
ton of the military authorities has rendered
this the most memorable Memorial Day OF
all for Vancouver.