The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-08-15
TIE FINAL CEREMONIES.
George &. Meade Posts Beautiful Ritual
at the 1ntcrmcnt.


at the fntcrment.
Colonel Fred Grant stood at the head
of the coffin and his brother and the
ladies' Of the family stood close behind
him, all clad in the uniform of mourning
Senator Evarts' strong face was solemn.
Senator Miller appeared impressed with
the Importance of the occasion, and
President Cleveland, who had come up
with Secretary Blyard and had been
formally received by General Hancock,
was a little surprised. Looking down
upon the mass of heads, it was interest
ing to see that all were impressed not
only with the solemnity of the occasion,
but with sincere personal interest.
Events here followed as rapidly as the
mourners had gathered around the coffin,
which had been deposited in front Of the
tomb 1t was lifted from the catafalque
by the same faithful guard from Grant
Post who had first removed it from the
cottage at Mount McGrog or, and the
beautiful ritual Of the Grand Army was
begun by Comrade Alexander Reed, of
George c. Meade Post, No. l, of Phila-
delphia, of which the General was the
most distinguished member. The ritual
was as follows:
Post Commander Alexander Reed: We
arc assembled to pay the last sad tribute
of respect to our late commander and
illustrious comradc, l. S. Grant Let
us unite in prayer. The Chaplain will
invoke the Divine blessing.
Post Chaplain G. Irvine Wright: God
of battles, Father of all, amidst this
mournful assemb'age we seek Thee, with
whom there is no death. Open every
eye to behold Him who changed the
night of death into morning. In the
depths of our heart we would hear the
celestial words, II am the resurrection
and the life; he that beleveth in Me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live"
AS comrade after comrade DEPARTS and
we march on with ranks broken, help us
to be faithful unto the end to each other
We bcseech Thee to look in mercy on
the widows and children of deceased
comrades, and with Thine own tender
ness console and comfort those bcrcaved
by this event which calls us here Give
them the oil of joy for mourning, the
garment of praise for the spirit of heavi-
ness. Heavenly Father. bless and save
our country with the freedom and peace
of righteousness, and through Thy great
mercy, a Saviour's grace and Thy Holy
Spirits favor, may We all meet at last in
joy before Thy throne in Heaven. And
to Thy great Name shall be praise for.
ever and ever.
All Comrades: Amen.
Post Commander Alexander Reed: One
by one as the years roll on we are called
together to fulfill the last sad rites of re.
spect to oir comrades of the war. The
present, full of the cares and pleasures
of our civil life, fades away, and we look
back to the time when, shoulder to
shoulder upon many battle fields, or
fought for our dear old flag. We may
indulge the hope that the spirit with
which, on land and sea, hardship, priva-
ton and danger were encountered by our
dead hero may never be blottted out
from the history or memories of the gen
erations to come, spirit accomplishing,
obedient to the bchests of duty, whereby
to day our National honor is secure and
our loved ones rest in peace under the
protection of the dear old flag. May the
illustrious life of him whom we lay in
the tomb to day prove "a glorious lncen-
tive to the youth who in the ages to
come may be called upon to IL. mold the
destinies of our country. AS the years
roll on we, too, shall have fought our
battles through and be laid to rest, our
souls following the long column to the
realms above as grim death hour by hour |
shall mark its victims. Let us so live |
that whca that time shall come those We
leave behind may say above our graves:
'lIere lies the body of a true hearted Il |
brave and earnest defender of the Re- |
public
Senior Vice Commander Lewis w. |
Moore Oaying q wreath of evergreen
upon the cullin): In bohal! of the Post,
| give this tribute, IA symbol Of undying
love for comrades of the war;"
Junior Vice Commander John A. Vie
dersheim (laying rose and flowers upon
the cottin): Symbol of purity, We offer
at this sepulchreaa rose. May future
emulate the uuseliish devo-
ton of even the lowliest of our heroes''
Past Post Commander A. J. Sellers
[ laying a laurel wreath upon the cotfin):
Last token of affection from comrades
in arms, we crown these remains with a
symbol of victory
Rev. J. w. Saycrs. Chaplain-in Chief
of the Department of Pennsylvania,
Grand Amy of the Republic, made the
following address:
1.-The march of another comrade is
over, and he lies down after it in the
house appointed for all the living. Thus
this open tomb reminds us
Of the frailty Of human lie and the ten
ure by which we hold our own. In such
an hour as ye think not the son of Man
1t seems well we should leave
our comradc to rest where over him will
bend the archng stay as it did in great
love when he pitched Lis tent, or lay
lown weary by the way, or on battle