The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-06-05


Edison and General Hancock in the intervals.
The parade was one of the finest ever wit
messed, although not so large as some process
sions which have honored the observance of
Decoration Day. The first division of the
National Guard, under Major-General Alexan-
der Shaler, comprised the 22d, 18th, 18th, 9th,
18th, 69th, 5th and list regiments and the list
and I'd batteries, and numbered about 5000
men, Fitzpatrick Post, No. 143, was preceded
by two little girls, one representing the Goddess
of Liberty and the other q flag bearer. This
was the feature OF the procession, and the girls
We're loudly cheered all along the line of march.
From Fiftieth street to Washington Square,
Fifth avenue was crowded with people. House
tops were filed, stoops were crowded, windows
We're blocked, and the sidewalks were thronged
with spectators, who cheered each regiment
and Grand Army Post as il passed.
THE ACADEMY OF MUsEC-BUTLER's GRAFTON.
In the evening a grand memorial meeting
was held at the Academy of Music, which was
beautifully decorated for the occasion. Among
the distinguished persons present were Presi-
dent Arthur, Mayor Edson, General M. L.
Mcmahon, the chairman of the memorial COM
mittee; Maj.-Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, Maj
Gen. Alexander Shaler. Commodore Thomas
Scott Fillebrown, Attorney General Brewster,
Maj.-Gen Daniel T. Sickles, aj.-Gen. Charles
p. stone, the Board OF Aldermen, Capt. Ira nj.
Hedges, Commander Department of New York,
G. A. r.; General II. A. Barnum, Major George
Mclean, commanding the Old Guard, and
many Others. Mayor Edison presided, and after
the exercises which consisted of reeitations by
distinguished professionals and songs by the
Liederkranz, General u. t. Butler was intro
duced as the orator of the evening. lie began
by saying:
The occasion Is not now one for grief or sorrow.
That ii was conceived in grief and sorrow is most
true The first Decoration Days came when wounds
afa.aG l.nsTf ,laspl.
when households were desolate in the first Cow of
grief when the widows weeds and the chiidrens
mourning We're deep, aud an aching void was ever
present 10 the heart when the slow foot of sorrow
often trOd the NeliHyorn path TO the grave of the
loved. lost, and reyered. But flowers and
tributes then placed beside and his resting
place as tokens OF our grlels and wee at his loss,
have now become enablems of the joyous memories
left in hearts Of the great and noble qualities of
our departed loved ones whose sepulcners we
honor We can be conscious OF but one misfortune
that has come TO them. Ihey did not live to see.
we have, their loved country rescued by their
VeiOr nom the hoFrOiS OF disruption Snd aAaTcny,
reunited Nation ia bonds never again even 10
be loosensd, bound together with bands OF iron,
East to Vest, ocean 10 ocean, North to South, from
the tropc 10 the 1r9g1d zoneso prosperous that Its
most patent Inconvenience i plethora OF accumn-
lated wealth and overproduction Of all the neees-
saries and comforts Of life which so 10 make the
prosperity and happiness OF a people.
Let MS not he unjust. Oar dead could they
speak would say. if only IN the hollow tones OF the
tomb vet with the earnest language of the soldier
and patriot Not 10 us alone does our country
owe her high military renown." The time has now
come when al should remember that al the valor,
the constaacy, the daring. the high qualities sol
diers you attribute TO as, could not have been so
displayed TO give our country this lofty place
among the nations Of tie earth If we had not met
toeinen equally brave. equally constant, equally
hardy equally daring, who for folIr years opposed
rs IN arms They. too, Were Americans.
There need be no =" balancing OF probabilities
whether tie American soldier can best make or
refsel charge. We do both best. We have gained
the double glory; and whoever shall make war on
Us msst ever ee in doubt whether IN American
army can best defend or attack position. hat ~
10 say whether the American soldier most excels
ia dash and deeds Of dswiRG2o Of chiyaTy. or IN
tie pluckg steadiness Of logged defense against a
charge.
TIE VOLUNTEER AND HIS WORK.
The fact that this was a war Of thinking men is
ceDtonstrnbe from the almost entire cessation of
enlistment into the Regular forces during the war
Our volunteer army. until our people were de-
baUched by olfsrs O! bountlcs which never should
have been giEen-but when once offered by one
State i must be followed by all States-was COM
posed on both sides Of men who fought because OF
patriotic devotion 10 country. There were many
soldiers ia the RANKS quite capable their OFF,
GERS or then legislators OF uadeIE aiding the ques-
lions in controversy. aud of advising strategic
movements and legislative measures 20 meet the
exigeneses Of the occasion.
pat what shan we say OF the rank and file. the
private soldiers the men who did such wonderful
deeds, even under the direction of others No per-
sonai glory, and hardly personal shame ever
come TO bim. Why sts-ssss he, therefore, in the
bedding forth storms Of shot and shell, and the
seTred line along which piled the deadly rfe RAIN
ing bullets upon his column Or his line OF battle
War was not his trade lie was not plying his
trade az a solder brought up 70 his task though
deadly tae peril might be- by force of discipline.
la the great armies Of the North al lie close OF the
war very few regular soldiers could be found. do
moi seek detract from the merits Of the Regular
army by this statement Of the fact, but do II in
justice ol the volunteer soldiers OF the country, by
wisom substantially the battles Of the war were
fought on both sides.
What. then, was the motive? There can be but
truthful answer: The firm, u1Jwayerng stead
fast belief Of the private soldiers both sides that
they doing = patriotic duty 70 their country
by lighting IN just cIlse as they believed for the
highest interests and the dearest rights Of their
people.
FARRAGUT AND THE SAILORS.
General Butler then proceeded to contrast
our military with our naval powers, and made
an eloquent appeal Tor the re establishment of
the American navy. In the course of his re-
marks he said:
We scarcely decorate sailors grave. But few
were killed 10 action and Of those the largest
Der so lost, aias, have 10 grave, 90 co3ned tomb
unless the frsgates Congress and Cumberland
which went down IN the waters Of the James under
the attack u the -EerlInlac, their brave crews
standing their guns until tie water buried them
alive are remembered Dy as as the consecrated
buFial-paees Of by far tie larger number Of
reanleB who were done 10 death In battle during
the war. If CongTess shall ever do what ought 10
be done Tor the sailors OF inc late war, naval
monument Should be butt. well might be done
over the hllis 81 those lEIgases ia memory Of as
great exhibition Of American pluck and ODE
osencc 70 duty as has ever been witnessed by land
or sea. The passage OF the forts New Orleans
by Farragnt-aa exploit Of naval warfare never
exeeiled If sgnaiedpiaced niro first OF the bril-
Liant SEA gods 81 llie world and the most far
seeing sEd strategic, well Is the most daring Of
naval commanders.
The brilliant exploits Of Farrngut at New Or
leans. kiczsburg. aud Mobile relec. iustcr upon
the glorious record Of his eouatTy's navy. and
.asstrr .s.
Fericr Of Nelson Farragr;'s memory is not tar
nEsi4ed by single sci which his countrymen wish
to have blotied out
At the conclusion Of General Buffers speech,
General Sheridan was called for and made q
lew remarks.