The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-06-07
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4Btc observance o. l2e<neT-I2t Day.
We make no apology for surrendering so
large a portion Of our space, this week, to
the publication of Memorial Day reports.
Tie anniversary was SO widely observed,
this year, and the ceremonies even in the
smallest towns and villages were so extern.
aive and imposing that any account of the
celebration, however full and comprehen-
sire, must fall short OF conveying an ade-
quate idea of the spectacle which on that
day was presented IN almost every State and
Territory, from Maine to California. The
most glowing description must seem tame
and pTosy in comparison with the reality,
for it is not within the power Of language,
however eloquent, to reproduce the emotions
which the occasion excited
It is evident however, from the tenor Of
tho reports NC have received, that what par
ticularly distinguished the observance of
Memorial Day, this year, from the celebra-
items of previous years, was the extent to
which the general public participated in the
conmemoration. tits significant fact that
il many localities the inhabitants turned
ont en- nasse, and not only attended the me-
mortal services conducted under the ans
pices Of the Grand Army. bat took part in
The formal professions. following reverently
On foot and IN carriages the shin blue line"
as 1t moved towards the cemeteTy to perform
there It's precious labor Of love. In many in
stances the escort consisted of school child
rem laden with flowers, and there was in this
Circumstance an assurance that the memory
OF the brave VIII be cherished long after the
present generation shall have passed away.
In some sections of the country, as our re-
ports indicate, the weather was anything
but propitiops, hut neither the chilly air nor
The dronching rain appears TO have noder-
ated the ardor Of these 10 whom the observ-
ance Of the anniversary had been committed.
In one instance, where a heavy shower over
took a procession in which were number
Of lads ard lassies, who had been chosen to
strew the memorial flowers en- the graves of
the Nations defenders, a halt was ordered
and the little people were invited to take
refuge In the carriages accompanying the
line, but with o spirit worthy Of their sires,
they insisted upon continuing the march
and carrying out tho sacred task to which
they had been assigned
1t is also worthy of note that while the
day was observed nesrly everywhere as a
business holiday, it Was disfgured by no
unseemly rnerryIaaking. II was as If the
Nation, conscious Of having been less heed
ful Of It's obligations to those who gave up
their lives IN It's defense than it should
have been in the past, hsd been seized with
a fresh ye,.rning towards those heroes, and
had determined TO atone for It's seeming
neglect by a public outpouring of respect
and gratitude, and it is q fact well worth
recording thar On the morning after the
/ anniversary the telegraph broaght Us no
iidings Of pot-hopse broils or scandalous
caTousals such as usually attend the cele-
lratioa Of popular holidays It was day
c5nseerated 10 The communication Of hu-
nan yalor and patriotism, and as such 1t
! both received and bestowed a blessing.
From this apparent rcawakening of the
Nation 10 a sense of what 1t owes to the
dead who died for their country, we cannot
bat argue the development Of a deeper
regard and aolieiiude for It's living heroes.
] ii cannot be otherwise than thas this yesrly
contemplation Of what they suffered who
fought the good fight and kept the faith,
and nov rcpose on Famas eternal camping
/ ground, sinai incline the public heart TO
render sympathy and justice to those, who,
braying equal dangers with equal fortitude,
now claim. in the hour of their need, the
fnldIbnent Of the Republics pledge to care
for him who has borne the battlen Vain,
indeed, would be the uses Of Memorial Day
4 did ii I'll 70 inspire The Naaon with con
een Tor tie living as well as reverence for
a. 81