Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-14
Address OF the Rev. ID. c. Kelly, Ora
tor Of the Day-Interesting
Exercises.
Ex.COnfederates Who Have Died Dur.
ing the Past Year-Dec0ra-
ton Dots.

ElmWood was most eDJoyaole. Inc trees
are in dense foliage, and flowers of every
hue were in full blossom, aud every air was
laden" with sweetest perfumes.
VISITORS FROM EVERY WALK IN LIFE
began filling the avenues OF the cemetery at
an early hour in the morning, many devot-
ing their first attention TO the graves Of rela-
tives and friends in private lots. From the
great number Of private graves wearing fresh
floral tributes, one would be impressed with
the idea that the day was devoted TO the deco
ration of graves in EImwood rather than
paying tribute to any one class. Such could
have been the case, however, without in any
way detracting from the sincerity and
solemnily Of the real purpose to which the
day was devoted.
THE CONFEDERATE GRAVES.
Toward noon the section in which lie the
| remains Of those who to US are "more sacred
than in life, and ioyelier far for having
perished in the front Of war, on fields where
| deeds OF eternal fame were done," became
the objective point of the thousands of
people who had spent the earlier hours of
| the day threading the avenues of the ceme-
terry, and long before the hour appointed for
the Inauguration of the ceremonies, every
seat in front Of the grand stand was filed
and all the area round about was thronged
| with people in every possible attitude Of
rest.
THE FLORAL DISPLAY.
There was not great abundance of flow
ers-why the committee having that part OF
the preparations in hand can best answer
The greater portion were contributions from
friends of the cause living in towns adj AGENT
These were in boxes, and baskets, and on
some we found names OF contributors, as fol-
| lows: Misses Katie Chisa, Minnie Sud- ath,
| Matte Fisher, and Lizzie and Maggie Rob.
inson and Mrs. p. j. Hunter, of F,iars Point,
Miss; Mrs. S. g. Blanchard and Miss Eva
/ Duncan, of Concordia, Miss; Mrs L. A.
Morris, Pecan Point, Ark; Mrs l.. Ransom,
I secretary of the LADIES' Aid Association OF
Osceols, Ark; DR.. c. H. Dunnovant, Osce-
| ola, Ark. o. one of these packages was
pinned the folloHing Letters.
Mr. Lucas Clapp, Chairman of the Floral Com
pEXEo s1Rn,In OpedIence 10 Ine so!cl4Ilon OF
1 following ladies' have kindly contributed the ac-
MS Tos aatshev q nTs n
ard, Mrs. Clara Rousseau Mrs. Emma Barney Miss
Fannie Fletcher and Mrs G. 7 s;oyall. Respect
fully, CLARA RANSOM,
President Ladies' Association.
OscEoLA, ARK.
DECORATING THE GRAVES.
Nothing was done toward distributing
these flowers until about o'clock, when a
number OF ladies and gentlemen took charge
-. I'll Al Al.
and about the monument. As far as this re-
porter could ascertain, no graves were
neglected, and many were honored with
floral designs of considerable elaboration.
Complaint could be made OF the lack of de.
sign in the decorations OF the monument,
| which bears the names If heroes whose con-
| spicuous deeds have marked their memory
as ever living in the heart of every
| Soulhron survivor.
THE ONLY CONSPICUOUS FEATURE
was seen in the vicinity OF the monument in
tbs form of tribute Of flowers and senli-
ment in.framework. 1t bore these words:
| "From the graves of the valley and the
mountain side they have gone up safe into
| heaven, forever safe from the malice of a few
short generations of men.
| "Ths memory Ct the Southern heroes, like
the perfume of wild hJWers, belongs to a
common country's history and glory.
- - he hooa ainr of tins cannon and the rat.
tie OF the musketry has long since changed
| into song.
"rheir defeats on earth brought to them
victory in heaven.
Flowers that bloom in their own dear
Southland will, to-day decorate their graves,
plucked and planted by the hands of their
fathers, mothers, sislerB and brothers.
BLESSED rest and peace be 10 each and
every soldiers name who has pitched his
tent on the campus Of eternal fsme.
(Signed) "RoBT. PERRY wKBB."
Beneath the frame containing the above
santenc' was another containing a picture
OF vase of flowers, ali surrounded by dis
play Of natural flowers.
AFTER DECORATION CAME DEsEcRATIoN.
The ladies and gentlemen distributing the
flowers on the graves had hardly performed
the solemn duty before the crowd began
walking over the graves, sitting down upon
them and lying round about them in such a
manner as TO destroy the floral tributes and
rob the sacred hillocks of all their sanctity.
1t might have been attributed to thong htless.
ness-sn error Of the head, 80 to spe4k-in
the desire 10 secure a shady, grassy spot,
from which 10 witness The Interpretation of
the programme Of exercises; but this theory
is effsctuslly abandoned before the fact that
several gentlemen failed 10 their efforts 10
remove the crowd by moral suasion and
appeals to their sense OF propriety, and not
until Chief Davis sent a detachment OF
policemen among them, ordering them away,
could they be induced to go. When the
crowd had been cleared away the graves
presented but little evidence of having re-
ceived the attentions of the decorators Il
might have been an act of thoughtlessness,
but the result was Glseraceful
THE SPEAKERS STAND
wSs erected on the east side of the avenue
defining the west line of the Confederate sec.
ton, and was fitted with tables and chairs
for the speakers and committees, besides seats
for the musicians and cherisers. The stand
occupied place at the foot Of sn incline, on
which seats for the audience were arranged,
those nearest the stand being reserved for
ladies. The speaker was in full view of
every listener, even those who awaited them
selves OF standing-room in rear of those
more fortunate in securing seats.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
After music by Arnoid's band, the Rev.
Mr.. Organ offered up the following PRAYER:
Almighty God, who hast knit together
Thine elect In one communion and fellow
ship, in the mystical body of Thy Son Christ
our Lard, grant US grace 90 10 follow Thy
blessed saints In all virtuous and cody
living, that We may come 10 those unspeaka-
bic joys, which Thou hast prepared for those
who unfeignedly love Thee; t6rough Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed
be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give US this day our daily bread. Aud for
give US our trespasses, as we forgive those
who irespass against US. And lead US not
into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Almighty God, with whom do live the
spirits of those who depart hence in the
Lord, and with whom the souls of the faith
full, after they are delivered from the burden
Of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; we give
Thee hearty thanks for ths good example of
all those Thy servants, who, having finished
their course IN faith, do now rest from their
Iabors. And we beseech Thee, that we. with
all thoae who are departed in the true faith
of Thy holy name, may have our perfect