Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-05-09
From the ".SaI7l1ay South"
MONTGOMERY, Ala, May 3, 1883.

EDITOR REPUBICAN:-By the aid O
one of Forncrook & Co.'s stepladders
have just made my way up one of oul
magnolia trees and come down with ar
armful of beautiful blossoms. A gooG
deal has been written in praise Of the
magnolia tree but not words too much
The tree is exceedingly beautiful, both IN
its shape and foliage, but more beautiful
still in its blossoms. A magnolia blossom
when fully opened, is nearly foot in di-
ameter and its leaves are often four inches
long and three inches broad. They are
of soft, creamy whiteness and, as they
stand in the sun, among the large green
leaves, it would seem as if the perfection
of beauty had been reached, and yet |
sometimes think the fragrance of the
magnolia is more wonderful than its beau
ty. have said so much in praise of our
southern products and of the weather that
| almost fear some OF your matter of fact
readers may begin to think me a little off
my balance. But, really, l find that
every day am here only serves to add
to my wonder and delight. Dir. and
Mrs. Martin started for home yesterday
morning, after having been with US lit
tie over three weeks They expect TO
reach home by the 10th of May and, as
they are less than so miles from your
sanctum, l would urge upon any doubt
ing reader to call on them and hear their
story. Mr.. Martin got up from an all
winters sickness and started for Mont
gomery. After having been here few
days he was able to walk almost constant
ly and he stated for home feeling perfect
ly we'll. While they were here it was
moonlight and they were so charmed with
the days and nights that it was next to
impossible to keep them in the house long
enough to take their meals and sleep.
Slme of your readers are predicting a
change of tune on our part when we come
to midsummer but we are of the kind
that enjoy the good while we have it and
borrow no trouble over the evil that may
never come. All sorts of vegetables have
become an old story with us now. Straw
berries are down to Is cts. per quart and
! blackberIies are abundant and delicious
at s cts. per quart.
Thursday last was southern Decoration
Day. The procession formed at $50 p.
m. and marched through the principal
streets of the city to the cemetery. 1t
consisted of five companies of infantry
and body OF mounted cavalry, with cit
liens in carriages and on foot. While the
procession was in motion large cannon
on Capitol Hill fired minute guns in hon.
or of the dead, buried in distant localities.
At the cemetery there was an immense
gathering of the people and, upon a
beautiful stand erected for the purpose
and finely decorated with flowers were
seated the venerable fathers and mothers
OF Montgomery who were associated with
Jefferson Davis in the first days of the
Confederacy. After prayer and the deliy-
cry, by lady, of an original poem let
ter was read from Jefferson Davis express
ing regret at his inability to be present
and share with the citizens Of Montgom-
cry in the exercises of the day. Then
came the Grafton by Alvah Fitzpatrick, a
young lawyer of this city and member
of one of the wealthiest and most aris-
| tocratic families of the south. There
were whispers in the air that we might
be treated to taste Of the spirits Of 20
years ago but, instead, it was most calm
and dignifed address containing senti.
ments which one little group of northern
people, at least, could not refrain from
most heartily applauding. That you may
all form some Idea of the grafton / will
quote just few words:
Secession is dead and over its grave
Southern freemen have planted the cy
press tree and water it with tears. Il
is neither in harmony with true southern
sentiment nor consonant with the spirit
and genius of the age to disturb the slum
bering ashes of our national past and re
vive memories stained with blood anC
wet with tears. Already from the chaos
and ruins of civil discord and STRIFE
tnroug clouds and storms of darkness
breaks the bright cleaning of star
AnxiousIy, yearningIy, lovingly have We
watched its dawn; patiently, prayerfully
hopefully have. we sought its friendI!
beacon, and have now that its gladsom
light and rays of promise give tokens o.
its full orbed splendor we hail its glorife,
mission of gladness and love as a hardin