Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-06-03
Memorial Day.

TUESDAY, May oVtn was the Decoration Day ot
the Grand Army of the Republic, when the people
of the United States cover with flowers the graves
of the soldiers who fell iii defense of the Union.
II is u beautiful and touching ceremony which
grows in popularity each year. At first it was CON
fined to n few localities but was afterward made u
national holiday, and the day is now kept in every
State and Territory OF tho Union, for there is not
one that has not soldiers grave. Ii has done
much to cement the gap between the North and
South, is the custom to decorate the graves of
the soldiers of both armies, and often the Federal
and Confederate veterans march side by side TO
the old battlefelds TO garland the graves of their
former comrades. May tho day be thus ever OBJ
served, and may all coming generations of Ameri-
cans keep green the memory of the heroes who fell
in their country's defense.
In Honolulu the day WAS remembered in be-
5uIppriib, anew toisuIaI lia1s
mast during the day. In the evening a meeting of
Veterans of the U. S. army and navy (the first
gathering of the kind here) was held at the Ha-
waiian Hotel AS they consregated on the
dab war memories were revived and the battles of
the Rebellion were fought over again; but without
any feeling of unkindness toward the boys who
the gray. A string band of Hawaiian boys on the
lawn played several American airs and, as the
American Minister arrived, the Star Spangled
Banner" Shortly after O'Clock the veterans and
invited guests formed fours with Gen. Comfy, A.
8. Hartwell, II. NJ Benson and j. A. Cruzan in the
front, and marched into the dining hall, tastefuy
decorated with American flags, where "a collation.
was served. Gen. Comfy called the meeting to
order speaking briefly as follows;
Comrades aud Fy,iends:-We are met here to do
honor to the memory of our dead comrades of the
Civil War, whose graves biow the land from
Gettysburg to Mobile. GOD forbid that or any
one should say anything to revive the bitter mem
ories and animosities of the war. Indeed have
f,)unQ
yours, that when two old Veterans of the war,
Yank and the other Johnny Reb, come together
to talk it they are apt to have fewer animos
tiss and more kindly feeling for each other than
some persons who took less active part i'll the
| war. The swords and bayonets which crossed each
/ other in every battlefield of the war would now, in
case Of foreign war, be found ribbed in one solid
| phalanY around that glorious flag we fought for.
I One and indivisible the Union now is, truly.
/ Slavery is dead-the Nation lives forever Is not
this worth marching for, fighting for, starving for,
bleeding for and, if need be, dying for! 1t is to
| do honor to those who did die for it that we are
| here tonight.
Mr.. Cruzan asked the blessing and delivered a
most impressive prayer, making touching reference
to the dead soldiers and sailors of the Union.
Before each plate was slip of paper OH which
the soldiers requested to write their addresses
and tho number of regiment and arm of service 10
which they belonged III the war. Their names are
given below. Forty-two soldiers and sailors were
,h The Oy 6ssea
recognition Of his services member of the
Sanitary Commission during the war.
hS Bass n HYMN Of ' tRs Republic y"i BY
Eldrdge, the company joining in the chorus.
The following letter of regret was read from ID
A. Mckinley, u. 5. Consult
Hon. J. ". Comfy, Chairman, aud others, GsHfle
men; regret that shall be unable to meet yor
this evening in response to Mr.. Arnold's courteous
invitation and with you to commemorate u day Sc
memorable in our beloved country.
Although absent in person l shall be with yot
in thought and feeling, and cordially Join in ever,
sentiment that honors the memory OF the Draw
soldiers who died that Union might, and tina
wo might, ever DO as nation one and inseparabe
To you representatives Of our Boys in BLU
whose record forms one OF the brightest pages II
our nations history. feNently add a SINGER
and hearty God bless you
ID. A. McKIsIEY.
All present we're then directed To fall TO, an,
willingly complied doing ample justice to tn
yands set before them.
A song, Just before the Baltic, Mother" wa
sung by Mr.. @. n. Arnold, after which j. A. Cruza
read Will Cartons beautiful poem, Cover then
, Over These pathetic yersss were followed b
liyened this company again. MIR. A. ). Hartwe
/ was next called upon and made tho foowin
A remarks
! Mr.. Miaisisr aud Comrades. When Was aske
to come here to-day, II seemed To ms, as knew
l. must have seemed to all Of YOU, to DO Just Ia
: thing TO do. But supposed there were not over
Corporate guard Of Us TO be mustered in this tow
l. Here are, over forty IN number. II was wort
while ~ meet, II for nothing else than 10 find
i other out. trust this is beginning OF reunion
> TO be- held here each year. There many ARA
d and navy men oil the other Islands. Let II |
+, known in season that we have regular annui
!, reunions, and they will all DO sure 10 come. "
!, may form some kind OF veteran organization
J. With perhaps little forinaty attached to IL, ops
4 10 all who saryed honorably in Army or Nav
r. Such an organization could no doubt aid inuc
3 Joining our townspeople here in celebrating Il
q Fourth Of July IN way TO make glad tho hea
8, OF every American man. woman and child in Il
h country.
Ia But vs have met now for sacred purpose.
30 sat down this afternoon, TO try TO prepare Il
D. remarks for this occasion, tho flood Of memoir
,c which Allied my mind made me incapable Ut VII
: ing, until late hour. Now must AK you 10 i
DC dul2e IN the prosy method Of reading the
Is, notes. for could not trust myself to speak Wit
o, cut thsm.
a. Il is our high privilege " Join each other Il
b, evening In helping TO keep fresh AMI fragrant