The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-06-05

How Decoration Day Was
Opened in Sedalia
Wednesday.
Impressive Memorial Services
at the Ohio Street Meth
odist Church.
An Eloquent Address by De-
partment Commander
Warner, of Kansas
City.
Scenes aud Incidents OF the Day
A Large Number OF Floral
Offerings.

For many years past the custom ha.
prevailed of annually decorating the graves
OF deceased soldiers. Decoration day" has
grown to be an event of national import
ance, and is generally observed throughout
the country. The floral offerings, lovingly
strewn over the the last resting places OF
the gallant dead, are lavished with the
same tenderness and love upon the mounds
which covers all that is mortal of the brave
boy who fought for the lost cause and for
principles which he believed To be right,
Us is shown in decorating the tombs of the
victorious boys in blue. Objection is made
by some to this beautiful custom and touch
ing ceremony, on the ground
that it revives the bitter memories OF
the war, but the civil STRIFE
which came near plunging into hopeless
anarchy, the greatest nation on the globe.
has gone down in history. The touching
and beautiful ceremonies of Decoration
day." over the graves of those who fought
Tor the preservation of the union, and of
those brave, but misguided men who died
calamity battling for principles which they
firmly believed TO be right, only serves to
which now in an Undesirable bond unite,
north, south, east and west.
No drawer men in the history of the
world ever went forth to battle for princi-
pie, for honor, for country and for home
and fireside than those who composed the
armies in the great civil strife
which convulsed the nation for four long
years, and in which millions of treasure
were expended and the blood OF brave
men flowed like water. How fitting it is,
then, that the surviving combatants i'm the
great war, as we'll as those who admire
CALAMITY and bravery wherever found, and
when exercised for principle and
right, should annually shower flowers upon
the graves of the noble men who gave their
lives in defense of their country, their
principle, add their honor
For some weeks past, the members OF
George II. Smith post, No. 53, q. A. K, as
sisted by many ladies OF the city, have
been making extensive preparations for
The observance of Memorial day. An
elaborate programme had been arranged,
but The inclemency of the weather pre-
vented it being carried out in full.
Instead of having services at the GENE
cises we're held at the Ohio Street Metho-
dis, church. The imposing procession,
v hich had been arranged, also had to be
almost entirely abandoned, on account OF
he mud and threatening aspect of the
skies in the early part of the day. Not
outstanding all these obstacles, the pro-
,ramme was partially carried out, and
While the procession was not what
{ would have been had the day been fair,
he exercises at the church were very in
eresling as well as impressive.
Major William Warner, of Kansas City,
of the department of Missouri
II the Grand Army of the Republic, ar
lved OH the morning train from Kansas
;ity, and was received by the officers of
ieurge X, Smith post, No. 50, of this city.
md escorted TO the hail O, the post at the
orner of Seventh ard ONO streets, where
IN informal reception was held.
THE PROCESSION.
Promptly a, o'clock the Mexican veter-
rs, about fifteen strong, commanded by
ir. John Cooley, formed on Main street
nd marched to the corner
+ Fifth and Ohio streets, where
hey were soon Joined by the members
4 the Grand Army of the Republic, under
ommand of Col. Richard Ritter, post COM
nander, assisted by Col w. w. s. Snoddy,
djutant of the post. The procession,
eaded by drum corps, was formed in the
order:
Gen. George r Smith post, No. So, Il.
X.
Mexicsn veterans.
Platoon Of police.
The line of march was as follows: East |
n Fifth street to Washington avenue,
orth on Washington avenue to Second |
trert, west on Second to Ohio street, north |
n Ohio to Main, west on Main to Usage, |
Outh on Usage to Third, east on Third to |
)hio, thence south to the Ohio street Meth |
dist church.
THE MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Long before the arrival of the procession |
I the church the spacious editice was filled
D its utmost capacity. In the audience |
Iere a large number of ladies and children. |
'ost Adjuiant Col. w. w. S. SnO!dy read |
he various orders of the grand commander |
( the United States and Of the department
for memorial services, after |
hitch the ceremonies of the Grand Army |
{ the Republic incident to the occasion |
ere conducted by Post Commander Col.
litter, assisted by Post Chaplain Shepherd.
At the conclusion of these ceremonies,
department Commander William Warner,
Kansas City, was introduced and deliv- |
red most interesting as we'll as eloquent
ddress, which was attentively
stoned 10 and greeted with
equent bursts Of applause.
MAJOR WARMERS ADDRESS
as, in substance, as follows:
One hundred years ago the final treaty of
eace was signed at Versailles, whereby the
of the United States was rati-
ed or confirmed. After one hundred
ears of national existence, We meet to do
onor to those who have given their lives
III this no ton m in hf ha ,,raSarun6