Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-05-31
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC



NJ. Strohm, as marshall, assembled
at the their headquarters yesterday
morning, aud marched in q body to
the Wesley Chapel M. T.. Church.
occupying the seats Immediately in
front Of the pulpit, which had been
reserved for their accommodation.
There was very large congregation
present The opening hymn. my
country, Ills of thee" was finely
sung. After the usual devotional ex-
ercises, the pastor, Rev. w. g. Her
bert, delivered the following memoir
iaI address:
How appropriate it Is that these
men. the representatives of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, on this Sab
bath morning, the day Immediately
proceeding the one which has been
set apart for the sacred purpose Of
decorating the graves of their fallen
comrades, the Nations Dead, snould
tarry awhile in the House of God,
and listen to the voice of divine love
and wisdom, as it speaks through the
volume OF divine inspiration. May
the influences Of this hour be such,
that you may carry away with you
impressions which will enable each
one of you to perform the sacred task
assigned you, Ia way worthy both of
the living and Of the dead. am sure
it is melancholy pleasure for you
to strew the graves of your departed
comrades with beautiful flowers, as
mementoes of your affection and love.
On the morrow the people Of this
nation will join hands and hearts in
every cemetery where lie our heroic
dead, to attest with wreatbs of
thym garlands Of blushing roses,
the rich fragrance of The heliotrope,
and with the exotic bloom of the ar
butus, their love aud gratitude to
those who gave their lives that the
Republic may live. The noble sa-
crifce Of these lives, to this holy OBJ
ject, entities their memory and the
remembrance of their valiant deeds
to just such beautiful tribute of af-
lection, as will then be exhibited. In
the history of nations there never
was war like the great American
Rebellion. The soldiery came from
the farm, the shop, the counting
room, from the professions, the col
leges and from every sphere and
walk in lile--a voluntary outpouring
of the masses, in defence Of their
country. -Four years of camp life
with its strange, corrupting viciss-
tudes, four long weary years Of terri
BILE strife, of carnage aud blood; and
III the dawn of peace came they back,
who survived, to their homes and
occupations, taking up the busy
threads OF life where they had been
ruthlessly broken, as ifa holyday
had only interviewed feeling after-
ward no bitterness Of spirit, no jeal-
ousy, or rancoring hate towards
their late opponents in battle; for
with victory they knew their homes
and country were safe, and they
could afford to be generous aud mag
unanimous to fault. In their match
less magnaminty they quickly forgot
the scenes and incidents Of the camp,
the battle field, measuring only the
sacred memory of their dead conrad
es, whose forms filed line Of ceme-
teries from the Adirondacks to the
Gulf like an unbroken belt from the
Atlantic to the Pacifcl And better to
attest their undyiDg love. the beauti-
ful custom ofstrewing natures love-
offerings Ger tLeir silent tombs, was
instituted. This is as il should be-
1t teaches alesson OF incalcuable bene-
ft to the coming generation. that 10
the hearts of the American people is
an incxhaustable love for valorous
deeds of patriotism These graves,
silent ia the awe Of death, are the
nations treasure-trove. Let those who
advocate the adjustment of this an
nual pilgmage 20 do honor to OR dead,
pause even 10 this tranquil hour Of
peace, far removed By the lapse of
time from those dread days of pain
and anguish, from the suffering aud
bloodsweat 10 which they gave up
their lives, and ask If there are
reasons, social or political, in the
growth aud development of our gov
eminent, Why We should ever at
tempt by thought or action 20 ignore
the debt we owe before God and man,
to these silent sleepers? Twenty-one
years have passed since the smoke Of
battle arose off our land, and 10 the
nlaaaant shade az universal liberty