, 1886-06-01
MEMORIAL DAY.
Large Crowds, Impressive Ceremonies
aud EIoauent AddrcAses.

shalled his forces, and about 2 p. IN. a
heavy storm Of mingled rain and hail
broke over the city. The down-pour con
tinued until 3 O'Clock, when the storm in
a measure broke. away, and the assembly
of the G. A. X. rang through the city.
The procession formed according to pro-
gramme, and at $3.50 the gallant marshals
led the way, and to the strains of martial
music the gorgeous uniforms of the
Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Or
der of United Workmen, followed by the
various fire companies of the city, and the
members of the John +. Reynolds post,
No. 80, moved along the street, Hon.
John Charles Thompson, the orator Of
the day, being in an open carriage, with
several friends.
Despite the unpropitious weather, the
turnout was large, and peonle thronged
along the sidewalks as they accompanied
the procession to the cemeteries.
The line moved steadily forward, and
passing the city cemetery, paused at the
entrance OF the grounds where repose the
Catholic dead. Here the Knights of
Pythias, the Order of United Workmen
and the fire companies ranged themselves
on either side, and the war worn veterans
of the Grand Army of the Republic, to
the beautiful martial dirge, Departed
Comrades - entered with solemn step, to
lay their offerings upon the graves of the
comrades of old.
Floral tributes now came from every
side, and soon the graves were bright
with wreaths and blossoms. The salute
was then fired, and the procession re-
formed and marched back to the city
cemetery.
Here the same impressive ceremonies
were observed, and then came an eloquent
address by Acting Governor Morgan, of
which the following is an extract:
The days and the months and the years
Of nearly, if not quite a quarter of a cen
tury have come and gone since those,
whose memory we honor, and their surviv-
ing comrades proved, in unmistakable
terms devotion to their country; and all
through these years, on the recurrence of
each Memorial Day, the loyal hearts of
the nation We'd with each other in doing
honor to the dead and living soldiers of
the republic. To-day sixty million of
freemen. glorying in the strength and
progress of their free institutions; with
hearts throbbing with the pride ofbeing the
foremost nation Of all this world, should
pause and reflect upon what we might
have been had it not been for the soldier
OF the Union. He now referred to the be.
lief of some hat the people of the North
were so immersed in business and grub
bling for the almighty dollar that nothing
could induce them to jeopardize business
or dollars; how this belief and some
supposed self interest, nearly led the
government of England-not the English
people, nor the noble woman who honors
the throne-but the then administration,
to commit the blunder of the age. How,
when the old flag Was endangered. an
army oil iieemen such as the world never
before saw marched 10 It's defense IL
was not Ills purpose ana he mad no desire
to open up the blood stained path which
leads from Sumpter to A~ppomatox.
Blessed peace feigns In all our borders
and to day the starry banner oil
the Union Is nailed WIN prlde
and rejoicing and amen and amen.
GEN. THoMPsoN's ADDRESS.
Gen. Thompson was then introduced.
The orator preceded his brilliant effort by
speaking of his having been brought up
and educated in the traditions Of the
South, to which he had ever been loyal,
and that he attributed the invitation to
address a Grand Army gathering on an
occasion like this. to hat generous and
God given magnanimity which has been
s%picuous explars from Gen Grant, the
apostle Of peace, to the humblest Federal
soldier that ever stood in battle array.
He then continued as follows:
But, soldiers of the Grand Army of the
Republic, thanks be to God, your victories
in peace, through virtues, through char.
ties, through Christian, brotherly love,
have been more illustrious, because more
%unioue. than vour iuimitable prowess IN