Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-06-05
LEONE LOCAL CHAT.

March and Song Accomplishments
with grace and skill.
see no just reason for the condem-
nation given the management because
of reserving seats for the families, rel
atives and friends of the graduates.
Had it been otherwise, those who
have least appreciation of or interest
in the exercises, are the ones who ar
rogate to themselves the right and
importance of both, and are prompt
to act accordingly.
In the language of our colored
friends, there was grand rally" of
the national ex-military and their adj
mirers and friends on Saturday, Deco
ration Day, all over the country in
general and Martinsburg in particu-
lar. The citizens of the county took
quite an interest in the matter, and
the number of eX-Confederates who
participated in the ceremonies far out
numbered their blue-coated brethren.
They were also one ahead of them in
their chivalrous combination of beau
ty with order. The bevy of girls in
semi-mourning, made an attractive
picture on the Webster Chariot, with
friend Andy as graceful frontispiece.
He looked as if he would as soon be
there as in the. Legislature. The order
of the procession was not so large as
last year. 1t is to be regretted that
the public organizations and societies
that were invited did not all attend
likely they would if it had been
live campaign instead of dead issue.
The Mechanics Band acted as escort
and rendered appropriate and excel
lent music. The flowers and plants
were handsome. AT the conclusion of
the program and order of exercises,
Judge Faulkner was tempted, as Mas
ter of Ceremonies, into expressing
some happily chosen sentiments while
introducing to the audience as the
orator of the occasion P. A. Rohr-
baugh. Esq, synopsis of whose
speech is given.
Mr.. Rohrbaugh's address was large
ly impromptu, no time for collective
thought being given him, SO it is but
just to say if that talk was sample
of surprise oratory, we would like to
hear an address from him, having had
the advantage ofpreparatory services.
A grateful Nation throughout this
broad land to-day worships at the
shrine of its dead heroes, and bending,
drops the tear of sympathy, and scat
tiers the floral wealth Of young SPRING
time upon their last resting place.
We come amid the music of laughing
May, the babble of silvery brooks, the
warbling of golden throated songsters,
and on this carpet of green, midst
bright, blooming flowers, in the very
of life, we pause, sadly to
think of the loved ones that have fallen.
TITS day of memories, memories
of the oppression of our fathers, of
their patriotism, their spirit of free
dom, their sacrifices, their devotion to
the principles of civil and religious
liberty, for which they pledged their
honor, appealing to God for the recti-
tude of their intentions. Memories of
their struggles, their triumphs upon
this great cornerstone, Liberty"
they built wiser than they knew, the
most beautiful, the most excellent
of government, since
the wonder of Nations, and yet in
the very dawn of Liberty's morn,
they forged the shackles which were
destined to enslave Nation. The
deep mutterings of discomfort betok-
ened the coming storm; the dark war
cloud gathered afresh, but this time it
was a bitter feud among children of
the same great family {; war of ideas
whose tremendous shock caused the
civilized world to stand aghast. The
great American family was torn asun-
der, some of her sons marching to the
front bearing aloft the standard of
stars, others sorrowfully kissed the
dear old flag, and went away with
fearful eyes and aching hearts, feeling
that their brothers no longer wanted
them at home; went away to help to
pluck the stars from their azure field.
This was not a war of ACKNOWLEDGMENT,
Of self; no Napoleon, no Caesar, no
was here leading the army
Of empire to vast possessions for
applause. This was war of
Ideas, supported on either side by
the honest patriotism of men who
believed they were right, and with
the courage of their convictions laid
down their lives, without murmur
a war in which every soldier was
king. Oh! how sorely the tempest
ragged; how dark the inky gloom
which overhung the once bright sky.
The old Ship of State, tossed by the
angry pillows, rocked and trembled
in the awful shock of battle, but right
ed herself through the strength Of her
timbers and the courage of her crew,
and in the sun light of God rode safe
ly into the harbor amid the clapping
of hands and the exultant shouts of
the Nations. God triumphed, and the
two great streams ofdiscordant views,
and the two great armies of freemen
to be one, like two discord
ant strains of music united, made one
deep anthem of harmony. They
fought that we might not separate
they died that we might be one fami-
ly. Their heroism bloomed in war
and fruited in peace. This is day
of memories and tears. All over this
broad land, from the Atlantic to the
Pacific slope, from the Lakes to the
Cults, the fathers and mothers with
silvery heads, stand still to-day and
drop tear in memory's casket as
they recall the darling faces they kiss
ed good bye in the blue and gray as
they marched proudly away to the
war to maintain the right as God
rn uo thnna to 600 tho rimht Snmn