, 1886-06-03

Memoria! day at Fort Townsend Wa.
observed with the usual ceremonies
ihe troops were assembled at 10 a. ID.
and marched to the post cemetery
Before distributing the floral emblem:
which the ladies of the garrison had pro.
Vided. tie following poem was delivered
by Asst. Surgeon J. D. Hall, Q. S. Army
MEMORIAL DAY.
10 many silent field today
AIDd PatEia comes to tribute nav.
Her untorEetting love still follows
fhere heroes lie in lonely holIoWs.
She pauses by each battle plain,
calling to mind her glorious slain.
@ a ma VIe"s each restirg-place once more,
where oit her feet have pressed before.
The slabs and monoiiths unfold
A record like that legend old;
EFo tell our couatry that we perished
t"r her sake and the laws we cherished. "
30 with full heart she hasteS TO bring
WIN Weli-hl!ed hands the flowers of
Spring;
types of those early flowers that died,
Her youth, her chivalry, her pride,
10 even this sequestered place
one :, may her pilgrim pathway trace;
~ II here may rest the ashen enbers
VI VI lives that her good love remembers.
bile noble dust throughout the land
Is lowered with a lavish hand,
be no dim corner quite forgot
a soldierS grave Is an honored spoti
Less lone perhaps they seem to lie,
II friends sometimes come trooping nigh,
3lth fragrant rose, or slips of willow,
To lend beanty to their pillow
Noo knoweth but they wait this day,
tIiad tor the homage that We pay,
Glad for the living voices hum,
/ he marching pace, the rolling druml
All! can i. be that all this scene
Sh8ll pass, rs If it had not been:
As bended grass, or f."wer-ips shaken,
That waste Ill signs, yet naught awaken!
10 us, at least, these thoughts have power
10 impress mere than passing hour;
What we remember of the brave
Is the best garland on their grave.
Then oft recall the valiant train;
And living breasts inspire again;
That worthy deeds, with past deeds wing,
May make old valor seem undying!
Ear from us be the wild unrest,
That robs fair nature OF its best;
The mad uurule that feels no shame,
Respect for flag. nor country's claimI
The heroism loved of men
Respects itself oft and again;
1t shapes anew ole lines of duty
And brings them out sublime in beauty.
Go tell our country that we died
So that her laws might well abide"
Men start before such simple scroll
And feel the glow of kindred soul.
Sleep well, We brave! we know who bent
70 tolls; who dangers underwent;
otought like ancient Greek or Roman,
And fell with faces toward the foenan!
Your valued Institutes are mora
Than legaciss of golden st re;
And rightful heirs of the estate
Should be like those VINO made it great |
Good laws are naught without good sons
Dur country feels this as she comes
To deck her graves with wreaths OF honor, !
Aud bless her braves for all they won her. !
10 well-fCught fields she points with |
pride;
10 heroes Of fame worldwide;
She points to Grant and Washington,-I
Her younger and her older son.
And on her rolls are many more,
Whose storied lives recited DER
Shall set young checks agiow with |
wonder,
And make the patriot heart beat fonder. |
Not all the flower of swect-breathed May !
Can quite our grateful sense convey
To those who fell IN Patria's cause,
To guard her well, TO keep her laws.
The floral tributes were handsomely
,rrancad and the whole snene was very