Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-05-31
DECORATION DAY.
The Nation Honors its Dead-DecOrating
Soldiers Graves-Literary Exercises
Full Report of OratiOns-Etc.


Full Report of Orations-Etc.
Yesterday the people of our nation, both
North and South, devoted themselves to
recalling to their minds the glorious deeds
of daring heroic acts and sacrifice of our
soldier heroes, and to decorating with floral
tributes the graves of those who have passed
into eternity. The citizens of this city
showed that although many years have
passed since these brave men offered up
their lives on their country's altar, they
had not forgotten their services, and that
their memories were as green as ever in the
minds of our people. Under the auspices
of Sumner and Warren Posts, G. A. r.,
Decoration Day was appropriately observed
in this city. Flags were hoated at halt
mast generally throughout the city, ana
some buildings were decorated III honor OF
the day. AT the Grand Army headquarters.
Eintracht Hall, X street, between Fifth and
Sixth, bountiful donations of flowers were
received in the morning from the citizens
of Sacramento. whose gardens were well
stripped of choice flowers to make wreathS,
bouquets, crosses and other emblems for
the occasion. The gifts of flowers were
indeed never more bounteous nor beauti-
full At the hall were large number of
ladies who tastefully arranged the flowers
During the forenoon delegations from the
Posts visited the Helyctia and St. Joseph 5
cemeteries and there decorated the soldiers
graves.
So many had contributed flowers that it
would be a fruitlesS effort to try to give the
names of all. Among those from abroad
who contributed floral offerings were Gen
eral John Met omb, of Folsom; Senator
VIM. Johnston, Richland, and Senator Rou-
tier
In answer to a call from the Post at Yir-
ginia City the Posts of Sacramento sent an
abundance of the choicest flowers to them
BY rail. which arrived there Oh the 10Th.
The First Artillery Regiment turned out
in full force, as is their usual custom, and
acted as escort TO the Grand Army. The
military formed at their armOry, Sixth and
/. streets ut 100 P NJ Headed by squad
of eight uniformed policemen, commanded
BY Chief of Police Jackson, they marched
10 Sixth and X streets where the Grand
Army one hundred and twenty strong
were drawn up in line, and acted as an es-
Cort to the latter.
Brigadier-Gcneral John T. Carey was in
command rs Grand Marshal, and with him
Gardner Hebron, Davis, Hahn, Van
Fleet. Weaver, Mclaughlin and Captain
Sheehan, mounted and in uniform. Next
followed the First Artillery Regiment
headed BY the regimcntal band and COM
manded By Colonel T. w. Sheehan, who
was accompanied by his staff officers, Major
Mckee. Adiutant Neary, Lieutenant-Col-
onel Guthrie, lieutenantS Long, Bush and
Chaplain Rice.
The regiment was in the following or
der: Company \, two companies equal
,r.,it Ia af1 | in,rr
miller in command; Company G., three
companies equalized, Captain White and
IieuteuantS Sheehan and FlaheTty; Com
panv L, Lieutenant Lowell; Company 3,
two companies equalized, Captain Cook
and Lieutenant Ryan Cadets two cOmpa-
,,ies, Captain Kay and Lieutenant Allen.
The Battery was commanded by Lieuten-
ant Carroll. The ranks were full. the line
long, and the military never marched bet
ter nor made finer display.
Next came carriages containing the Ora
tor General n. ?. Chapman, Of Red Bluff
and officers of the day.
Following the carriages came the Grand
Army OF the Republic, Sumner Post first
and Warren second. Both had full ranks
tasty uniforms, and each individual carried
bouquets and wreaths of flowers. \ fife
drum corps preceded the Posts
About thirty small boys, carving ban
ners, and uniformed similarly 10 the Grand
Army, marched in the rear and kept time
to the music of a drum beat by one of the
number They carried a banner, and were
also laden with flowers.
q. J. Cross, a veteran of the Mexican
war, brought up the rear proudly carrying
the banner of the Mexican veterans Of this
city.
The line of march was as follows: X to
Ninth, to }, to Seventh, 10 r. To Second, to
J, to Tenth, 10 the City Cemetery
The procession was very lengthy, hun
dreds of carriages falling into line, and was
admired by thousands who congregated on
the sidewalks and balconies on either side |
of J and X streets.
The procession reached the cemetery at |
O'Clock Long before its arrival, how
ever, people had been assembling, and it is
estimated that fully 1900 people were
present To witness the decorating of graves.
The usual exercises, reading of the ritual !
and prayer were conducted by Chaplain
Isaiah Hurlburt, of Sumner Post, and
Chaplain Winchell, of Warren Post. After
the graves had all been decorated, the line
was reformed and marched back to the city.
EVENING EXERCISES.
The literary exercises were held in the
evening ut the Metropolitan Theater, and
attended by very large conCourse of peo-
pie. The stage was handsomely decorated1
with flags and flowers, and fanked upon
the two sides with stands of muskets, pre-
senting very attractive appearance.
The exercises were opened with an aG-
dress by II. \. Burnett, Jr., Vice-Depart-
ment Commander and President of the
Day, which was as follows:
Another Memorial Day has been added to the
past Again have we wreathed the garlandS
and scattered the flowers of gratitude and love.
Again has the heart of nation thrilled with
loyalty and pride Yer the graves OF ner fallen
heroes. Their monument is builded high in
cOuntry's love. No words are necessary urging
comrades to renewed zeal in the due observance |
OF each return of this hallowcd day. As our
numbers decrease, and we fall in with those
who lie asleep in the ranks of the dead, 10 our
aud daughters Will fall these loving labors;
to them the duty OF guarding and Keeping this
day sacred to the memory OF our country de- |
Tenders. May it remain the soldiers day, de
voted to cherishing the remembrance of all
honor all loyalty, all patriotism and with pure
hearts and holy impulses may it stimulate to |
deeds of noble and patriotic nature.
For this purpose an Order called the Sons of
Veterans has been formed. Posts will before
long be instituted, and is hoped they will soon
be strong enough to take an active part i'll our
memorial observances. In connection with theil
Grand Army, there has also been formed, in |
nearly every department, ladies auxiliary | I
corps The ladies OF Sacramento have always |
been true % the soldier Your affection has not
WgVerrd or been cNtluguishcd by time. Each I
succeeding year You desolate your gardens and l
Irvine the wrcathS of remembrance anew. We
hope you viii take up this work wi n interest, !
20 which We now invite you, promising cur cor |
dial support.
4 Veterans Home has been established int \
this Department. Ii is pleasantly situated in q
Napa Valley in the edge of the foothills where c
almost perpetual summer reignS, and il is de
iightfui spot for the weary veteran to pass the q
remnant OF his days. It's affairs are being 5
placed upon a firm basis State aid has been d
granted to the extent OF twelve dollars and fifty o
cents per month for each inmate but not avail J
able until the Home has been opened six Y
months The Association is ut present very h
much emb ilrHSS,-j by the urgent need of funds d
Ia furnish and equip the building for the old c
soldiers who are now knocking at its doors for y
admission. Let every Post and cOmrade and a
soldier throughout this Department give this o
Home their united support. Their interest and v
viii anouSe that of others, and en- +
list the sympathies of generous public, and h