The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-11-07
AN APPEAL.

That portion of the Cemetery in
Pineville known as the "Old Cemete-
ry," was, until after the war, the pub
lie burying ground, and here were laid
side by side, irrespective of creed, the
Jews, the Methodists, the Baptists, the
Episcopalians and the Catholics. Ex-
cept portions of it cared for by indi-
viduals, the rest lay out unenclosed ;
COWS had paths through it and browsed
upon the graves.
Some years ago Col. Hunter, Judge
Baltic, Mrs. Grogan, Mrs. Archinard,
and few other publlc-spirited citi-
zens, feeling the reflection cast upon
us by this sad neglect of spot than
which none other could be more sac
red, organized for it's protection and
improvement the "Cemetery Associa~
tion.' Col. Hunter has gone to an
other world, and the Association would
have fallen to pieces long ago had it
not been for the exertions and self-sac-
rifcing devotion Of his worthy son, R.
?. Hunter, and other noble spirits.
| Upon them has been thrown the toll,
and made burdensome a work which
should have been labor of love and
the business of all. But for them the
inclosure and the other improvements
inaugurated by Col. Hunter and his
coadjutors would have rotted away and
become worthless, and the old grounds
would be in a worse condition than be-
fore. The Association, to make re-
pairs at present needed, is in want Of
funds, and to raise them propose Civ
ing Fair in Alexandria, commencing
the evening Of Wednesday, Nov. 9TH,
and to last two nights and one day.
There is scarcely a family in the Pa
rish that has not lying in that sacred
ground some lost and loved one. You
can scarce look on the inscription on
one of those stones without seeing some
familiar name, See this ono. Here
lies beautiful babe. It was once the
delight Of the household; it climbed
upon its parents knees, and with its
innocent prattle thrilled with Joy their
leisure hours.
"Those flaxen locks, those eyes Of blue
Bright as thy mothers in their hue;
Those rosy lips whose dimples play,
And smile to steal the heart away.
now lie Wondering in the cold ground.
Father, mother, do you know that
babe? Look at this inscription. It
is that Of young girl. I knew her
well. One night at ball, with beau
ty in her eye, with life in every limb
and grace in every motion, she was the
admired of all admirers, the oynosure
of all eyes. The next day she died
and was carried to Pineville. On one
night, a lover on Bonded knees and
with clasped hands, and fervor with
which he perhaps never addressed his
God, made VOWS of eternal love. Rea-
der, was it you? Here lies an old
woman. With faded black dress, her
limbs scarce able TO bear her tottering
form to the door at last she has climb
cd the steps and entered the church,
and her pale lips moved in prayer, and
her shriveled and trembling hands
were raised on high, and her gray
head svnk slowly, slowly upon the pew
in front Of her, and she died! She
was the mother Of many child, and
the grandmother of many more. OLD
man, she was your wife, the partner Of
your joys, the sharer of your tolls and
troubles fer many q long ard weary
year. Here is simple headstone.-
Some years ago an old man, with his
clothes torn, his shoes rent, his cheeks
sunken, his eyes dim, fell upon the
roadside and died-died in the sun, not
soul to give him drink to cool his
fevered lips. He may once have been
rich, and misfortune may have robbed
him Of his means; his soul may have
been filled with high and generous i'm
pulses; he may have had a brain
which, i used in some other direction,
might have made Of him Caesar, or
perhaps to-day he lies in Pineville by
the side of those you loved best, an
honor to them all, "a mute and inglo-
rious Milton"
On yon Pine Bluff overlooking the
River, Death stands with his hour
glass and scythe awaiting your COM
ing. He holds you with his glittering
eye and draws you on hopelessly and
irresistably. Mother Earth, with out
stretched arms, offers to take you to
her bosom and give you place beside
the richest and a home with the home
less. "Dust to dust"
We should all step forward and lend
helping hand to this noble Associa.
ton. We should do for the dead what
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