Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-06-10
DECORATION DAY.

Saturday last was the day appointed by
the Soldiers Memorial Association for dec
orsting the graves of the Confederate Sol
aiers In our Cemetery. At o'clock p III.
H. large number of persons had assembled
al the Cemetery. fhe weather was pleas
ant and under the shades OF the trees. and
around the Superin tendent's house. the
audience awaited the beginning of the
ceremonies, which We're opened with
prayer by the Rev. ID. NJ. MOser of the
Lutheran Chuch aud music by the Choir
and dirSe by Criswell's Band. Col.
Morgan then introduced the orator OF the
,,ay, the Hon. Alex. 4. Boteler, WHO en-
,erraiued the audience in an address OF 10
minutes, brief synopsis OF which we only
Gun give
Nothing can lie more becoming and appro-
Driate than the custom of aunually strew-
Ing the graves of the Confederate dead
with tow ers. While 9 great and power
full Nation eau lay out and ornament large
and beautiful cemeteries, and erect hand
some aud costly monuments 10 the MEM
ory of its soldiers, the ladies of the South
can only come with tributes OF their love,
wreaths of fresh flowers watered by their
tears sud lay them upon the tombs Of their
dead heroes,
it ia right and proper 10 forget many
things that had occurred during the late
war but the soldiers of the two armies
were always noblemindel and treated
each other as men worthy of confidence
and respect. Men who had been tried
and not found wanting. Not modern he
roes. towards In the rear III time of war
and heroes in trout in time of peace. On
the morning of he fatal day at Appamat-
IoX, when General Lee returning from his
meeting with General Grant, rode down
the lines, the 5000 soldiers, the remnant
OF the Army Of Northern Virginia, facing
IN army numbering 10000 men, arose
in silence and with hats appraised anxious
is looked theic beloved Commander i'll
the face % learn the result OF the confer
enCe when the noble old man, wiki heart
full 10 overlooking, said Il have Ell
ueavored 20 obtain tor yoE the best terms
could. Go bone and be IL faithful 70
vour obligations in peace rs YOU have been
IN way" The first Confederate soldier
has vet 10 be found who has ever violated
his parole. The terms OF the surrender
given the Confederate armies did more
10 reconcile the two sections at war, than
al The acts General Grant has since done,
The speaker paid noble tribnte 10 the
memory OF she men who fell in this vicin-
iry, In defence OF their homes and fire
side..
Col. Ingeysoll, the Goddess and soul-less
man, who delivered 4 memorial address
in New York recently, says, "the South
begun the war" but Fred. Douglas said
ia his speecl. at Storer College, last year,
that if John Brown did not end the war
al AppanattoX, he certainly had the hon
ar Of beginning it ut Harper's Ferry"
No candid and we'll informed mind doubts
this The first blood shed i'll the war, was
that of negro killed in Browns raid on
uarper's Ferry when he captured the L,
5. Arsenal and other property ut that
place.
But these things are now Of The past
and history will yet do honor to the mem
ury OF tue men who resisted this first out
States which had its legitimate result in
four years war that followed.
We would be glad to follow the eloquent
gentleman further in his remarks, but we
must forbear. This meagre outline will
give our readers some idea Of the grace
iul tribute paid our dead.
After music the Renediction was pro-
l1uuuced by Rev. j. &. Bowman, OF the
Reformed Church. Tie Strewing Of low
erS then took place which concluded The
services.