Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-01
mEMORIAL DAY
As Observed at HIT Carmel Church.
Upton County.
Exercises, Music, Address, Deco
ration ofConfederate Graves,
Etc.

The good people Of Mt. Carmel chnrch
and vicinity, an old Presbyterian com
munity in Upton county, settled original
" BY sturdy emigranz from North Caro-
Ina. are As true to the memory Of the Con-
federAte dead n they we're dozen or
Aftesn yeSrs ago. Time and changes have
not reduced their respect for the yalor OF
fallen kindred and defenders. The old
church. known ss The Mountain, was
founded some forty years ago or more.
Its situated on one Of the highest points
in TIE county about i've miles southeast Of
Coyinrion. in the midst Of 8 densely pop
ulstsd and prosperous neighborhood.
When the war came on two gallant com
rsnies for the Confederate army were
rsissa and sent forth in the immediate Vi
cinity. The county furnished twelve
fau companies out ola voting population
Of shout one thousand. They al went
forfh II earnest, went to the front and
fought Il Out 70 the bitter end. Hence
the mortality Was very grsat and many
Of TIE very Tower 81 the youth and man
bao5 Of the county fell on distant battle
fields OF suocumbed 70 disease or casual
iiss. Confe5erxts memorial day Is there
scre a local event Of importance and Is
likely 10 be transmitted 70 remote poster
itV. Although no great battles were
foarhtin the vicinity. a number Of those
Who fell At a distance were after the war
rsaovered snd inferred in the church
Krsvevx-a. Last Friday, the 18th, was
TIE dSy appointed % decorate their
grSvas.
The rain poured down in torrents until
Afer Two o'clock and continued 70 drizzle
al Afternoon. This. however, did not
prevent the attendance OF quite little
crowd Of intelligent, refined and symps-
theic people. There was perhaps : ma
jority Of ladies knd they brought q super
abundance Of beautiful flowers IN the
greatest variety. About half past three
O'Clock Dr.. 7. W. RoGne, an old and
prominent citizen. who was distin-
Fuished surgeon in the Confederate army
arose and briefly addressed the congrega-
ton, abiding appropriately to the oeca-
sion. After that the church choir reR.
dared il exquisite taste and harmony an
appropriate piece Of music.
THK Address
DR.. Roane then came forward and in
troduced Mr.. J. Harvey Aathes, Of Mem
phis, who delivered in substance the fol-
lowing address:
Pellow-citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Since YOU have manifested your interest
BY leaving comfortable homes TO brave
such weather as this, feel that there
q a link which binds US all and that
il is no common privilege to address such
an earnest Rssemblage.
The occasion Of this gathering Is honor
able to the living and the dead, and it Of
fords no common satisfaction touched
though it be with mellowed and sadden-
ing memories, to meet here to-day. The
circumstances which surround Us suggest
ayolume Of tender recollections and seri-
Gus thoughts. We naturally 90 back in
memory 10 the stirring times more than
twenty years ago, when the voice Of fer
vid oratory, the inspiration Of drum and
fife, and the glorious yet tender smile Of
beauty and affection, moved the boyhood
and sierner manhood Of the South 10 deeds
Of utmost yalor. We need not recount
their deeds, their sacrifices endured and
soldierly bearing These are matters Of
history engraved upon millions Of hearts
and will be perpetuated in the traditions
and annals Of all civilized peoples
Nearly seventeen yeaB have elapsed
since the armies of the Confed-
eracy laid down their arms in honorable
capitulation and soldiers once more be-
came civilians Alasl how few returned
to these who sent them forth in tears and
smiles. How many fell far from kindred
and home to rise no more until the day Of
final resurrection and Judgment. One
day in the year-a sweet, Banctihed
Sabbath--has been set apart by the
mothers and sisters, the fathers, brotherI
and friends of those who fell in grand
but unequal contest, 10 drop flower on
their graves and TO water with tears that
ivy which grows best in generous and
loving hearts. Time brings healing on
its wings. The coming and the going Of
the seasons, the recurrence Of seed time
and harvest, autumn and winter
have ssftened eur feelings and
OF our hearts. Other issues have
arisen, but these are laid aside and forgot
ten upon this memorial occasion We ar,
here TO pay tribute to the Confed
crate dead 1t is simple and beautiful
custom, which was originated by the de
voted and patriotic ladies of Columbus
Ga, i6 years ago They were unableto rea
any costly monument, even II that hAC
been permitted; but they awaited them
selves of natures most enhancing ant
symbolic gifts, and laid them upon III
- IL L. H. 4
ers who fell in battle. died by the way
side and in hospitals. There we're no sal
vos of artillery, no fAunting Of hagi, n
blare Of trumpets, or shock OF musketry-
no imposing ceremonies, The times woul
not admit Of it then. The passions Of wa
were still at fever heat, and the spirit O
vengeance was abroad in the land. Tn
moon seemed to shine through an Atmol
phere Of blood, and the vestal stars 10 she
sympathetic tears 1t was in these dar
and despondent days that mans guardia
angel-woman, fair and queenly-robe
in sables tipped with ashes, stepped apaI
and approached with roses and immoi
telles, the shrine Of buried hopes an
affections. The humblest mound becam
q consecrated spot-an altar radiant an
transhgured into meaning and hope tbs
pointed to a sky beyond tho sky. IL
said that in the physical world nothin
is ever lost thatmRtter Is indestructib
This is generally accepted as truisn
By analogy, even without revelation, v
may infer the same as TO the moral an
spiritual world. Men may come and d
part from our sight, but they must exi
Somewhere in the universe, hid from
now. We shall see them again. ThS
cross over dark stream, and are pon
but their influence is left behind-thC
are with US still. Tenhysoh makes Il
brook 10 say:
Men may come and men may 90,
But roll on forever"
Thus it is really with the stream of h
man life, which GIBBS and flows, rice a
falls and repeats itself from century
century.
The period Of civil strife through viii
we passed was not more than the peol
Of other times and nations have expe
enced. II WIS the climax Of a long b
termitted controversy, something VIZ
II. r