Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-30
MEMORIAL EXERCISES AT THE
SOLDIERS GRAVES.
ORATI0NS AND POEMS IN HONOR OF
THE DEAD.
4 GENERAL OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY BY
THE G.. L. R.
The Procession This MornfnR-Partic-
ulars Of the Ceremonies At Arlfng-
ton, Soldiers Home, Congress
sional Cemetery and Else
where-Will CarletOn,0
Decoration Day
Poem.

In the calendar OF the g. A. r. the 3Oth OF May
Is known as Memorial day, and sacredly observed.
To the people at large who are not bound by the
peculiar ties OF the veterans Of the Union armies
the day has become known as a family picnic day.
The holiday was generally observed to-day from
both points OF view. The departments were
closed and there was general suspension Of bust
ness in the city. Flags were flying from buildings
and the monuments of the city were wreathed
with evergreens The boats and trains leaving the
city In the morning were freighted with excur-
s1on1sts- The woods about the city echoed the
voices OF picnic parties, but the seekers after syl
van pleasures were somewhat discouraged by the
cool "streak Of weather." and consequently did
ary Ihe memorial exercises at Arlington. the Sol
diers' Home. congressional cemetery and Battle
cemetery were well attended, and there was no
evidence OF lack OF interest In the annual OBJ
ServanceS.
The Procession.
4 FINE STREET DISPLAY BY THE GRAND ARMY POSTS.
Soon after O'Clock the various posts of the GA.
R., with colors flying and drums beating, began to
gather In the vicinity OF 9Th and D streets 1t was
some time before the line was formed and the vet
erans gathered in little groups, congratulating
themselves that the weather was so delightfully."-
COOL "Fine day for marching" was the general
greeting among the soldiers. 1t was evident that
the reverse OF this fine weather was expected, as
an ice wagon stood near with large cask OF
water and plentiful supply or tin cups, and this
doom noon ior a hot day accompanied the veterans on
Shortly after ten O'Clock the procession started
on its way 10 Arlington, the march being in the
detachment OF mounted police; the Marine
band, III then M the department. g. A. R. aags.
Ga
1 Department pa e Shleera@p dSasn 5 Alexander, COM
mander; n. NJ. Brooks, S. v. commander: s. A. H.
Mckim, J. V: commander; Florence Donohue, medi-
Cal director; Rev. Benjamin swallow, chaplain
Official Sta1.-C. H. Ingram, assistant adjutant
generals Amos J: Cunning, assistant quartermaster
general; Chas. Matthews, inspector; Dennis OiCon-
nor, chief mastering officer
-, Aides-de- -Camp.-Ames F. Medford, Hanson E.
Weaver, VIM: b. Brown, NJ. T. Anderson, Richard
Henderson, N. B. Prentice, Thomas Hynes, w. w
HM,inship, JOS Burroughs, VIM. Howard Mills. NJ. NJ
Assistant Inspectors.-Asa L. Carrier, NJ. D.
Months, Edward Renaud.
POST department Commanda-A. q. G. Richard
son, VIM. Gibson, g. s. Burdett.
Jno A. RawlinS Post, No 1, Geo. Holmes COM
mander, rs men; Post No. 2 drum corps; Kit Carson
Fost, NO: 2, C. s Burger: commander, SO men;
Line: Lincoln Post, NO 8, j. NJ Pipes, commander 100
commander, sOmen; Marine drum corps; George e.
Meade Post, No. s, j. B. Dowd, senior vice COM
W. Sherwood, commander, rs men; Jas. a A. Carried
POST, NO. W. q. Drew, commander, 40 men;
Burnside Post, No. 8, c. p. Crandall, commander,
., W liz
commander. 50 men; Farragut Post, No TO- William
Wlnans, commander, Is men.
The column marched by twos and presented a
nne appearance as 1t marched up the Avenue with
the coors uttering in the breeze to the strains OF
an inspiring march from the Marine band.
At Arlington.
THE CEREMONIES AT THE NATIONAL CEMETERY.
The visitors to Arlington to-day started long be-
fore the procession OF the Grand Army, and the
familiar road with its windngs and steep declivi-
ties was thickly dotted with carriages and groups
OF foot passengers A great many people rode to
Arlington, but great many more walked; but
whether they walked or rode the lunch basket was
the universal attendant in all the forms which that
attractive picnic companion can assume.
The members OF the 6. A. r. Posts after crossing
the bridge were conveyed by busses to the ceme-
terry. here they found the "Army OF Occupation''
already In possession. The number OF people at
Arnngto on was estimated by Grand ARMY man as
as ''a regular mob" There were great many
that came In from the surrounding country.
THE PROCESSION.
Shortly after IL O'Clock the procession was re-
formed in front OF the house. The orator and poet
and other invited guests occupied places in the line
their places in the line, and, preceded by the
Marine band, the annual tribute to the patriotic
paid.
AT THE AMPHTTHEATER
+, Upon the completion OF this duty the procession
returned to the amphitheater, which was thronged
with people.
The following, among Others, were seated on the
platform: Secretary Lincoln, Postmaster General
Adjutant General Robertson, and Quartermaster
General Shakspere, OF Michigan; Department Com
Ohio, Dr. BAIL Norris, Capt J. n Nesbitt, co Jno
A. Joyce Col. Batchelder, Rev. DIR. Naylor, Gen. j.
K. McCammon, Gen. Hazen, Gen. Mckee Dunn,
were begun with the rendition OF "Nearer, Ny God.
to Thee," by the Marine band Department Com
mander D. s. Alexander then called the assembly
to order with a few appropriate remarks Prayer
was offered by Rev. J. E. Rankin, and an octette
ardson. Il. Gait, W. D. Mcfarland, E. J. Whipple,
with fine effect, "Once More with Solemn Tread y
The poet OF the occasion, Mr.. VIM Carleton, then
read the following poem:
The Loves Of the Nations.
By WILL CARLETON.
The Grecians loved their soldier dead:
They przed the casket, though the pearl had led
When he who could be dangerous In the Tight
But-his poor body vanQuiShed-with Sigh
Had laid him down upon the sands to die,
He vaulted 'mOngSt the nation honOred sons:
He was the love Of all the living ones
They rallied round CHIEF when fallen low,
TO guard his numb flesh from one hostile blow.
"Rescue the dead!" was then the clarion CRY;
"Rescue the dead, for we ourselves must die!"
So oft they made, before the strife was done
dozen corpses more, to rescue one
When that great agony OF muscle. brain,
Heart, soul, tumultuous JOY, and antic pain,
Men cail q Dattle, had been lost and won,
And 1t was told which side the gods were on
And DER the brOws OF which exhausted band
Proud Victory should press her Jewelled hand
Ihen from the conquered TO the conquering came
voice that made It's way like tongues OF flame,
And swift and chivalrOuS compliance bred:
sG1ve US truce, that we may bury our deadw'
Six Grecian generals came from war one day.
All well esteemed, for gallant men were they:
But some one, pointing gr1mly at them, said,
s'They on the field uLburied LETT their dead"
Then popular rage rose in fiery flood.
And curled about them, and licked up their blood
Why did each one fall with discovered head?
Because the Grecians loved their soldier deadi
man came running from Thermnpyl@,
And sald "'Tts done; they all were Slain but me-"
why did his fellow-Spartans sEeer and hiss,
Recoil from him, as HOm lepers kiss
Ana say, "Iake back your blood, you craven drone,
Ana leave It where your comrades lost their oWn9n
IL was because the unhappy man had sped
Away nom death, and left hts comrades dead.
The Grecian mother, with fearless eye,
Sent her son warward, with this mandate high:
NOW be this shield your glory or your hearsel
With 1t you earn my blessing or my curse!
Rather your ashes 1ecked with sparks OF flame,
Than your live body clad In robes Of shame"
Oh yes, the Grecians loved their soldier deadi
Or mid the funeral pyre'S majestic blaze,
They gfoWcd within the uv1ngS env1ed gazel
Yet not IKE ours that Grecian love could be:
They did not love the living as do vel
IL
The Romans loved their soldier dead,
And brightest, grandeSt honors DER them spread.
Tnat hard. grim patton, which with ferce iron hand