Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-08-25
MANASSAS CEMETERY. ETC.

MANASSAS, fd.f mug. IT, w Fisiteo IulS
dilapidated cemetery yesterday. It is a
burning disgrace not only to Manassas, but
to the State. The Memorial Association
here have done their whole duty. They
have made only one mistake, and that is in
building wall around the cemetery as
thick as jail wall, and that wall not yet
completed. A cemetery, we should imagine,
doesn't require such wall, and in its present
condition is nothing but pasturage Tor
COWS, etc. There is no language which can
speak with more emphasis, pathos, and
power than the master eloquence OF these
humble graves, beneath which
In rank and fle in sad array
As tho their watch still keeping.
Or Whiting for the battle fray,
Our dead around are sleeping
Shoulder to shoulder rests each rank
AS at their posts still standing;
Subduch, yet stcadiist, rs they sank
tn sleep at deaths commanding.
No battle banner q cr them waves.
Nobatlc trump Is sounded,
They've reached the citadel Of graves
And here their arms are grounded.
Yes, here at Manassas they fought their
last fight; here they finished their course;
here they kept their faith, and here, on the
field Of their fame, they now "rest from their
labors and their works do follow them"
Our great and good leader-the illustrous
Lee-is said to have declared the word
"duty' to be the sublimest in the English
language, and his whole life, in peace no less
less than war, affords conspicuous and fit
example which the people in this old COM
monweath may we'll be proud to initiate.
1t is our duty to see that that neglected
cemetery, wherein lie the dead of every
Southern State, be property fixed up, and
let not the cows and hogs take possession.
The war is over. The Southern people are
we'll aware of that fact. Trains pass and
repass every day by that neglected spot,
and can't something be done? A few hun
dred dollars will place the cemetery in such
condition that no Confederate need be
ashamed of it, and he can point with pride
to his Federal friend, and say, "What n
beautiful and lovely spot for our dead"
In wandering around we came across too often
the words unknown dead" on tho fallen, dilapi-
dated wooden hcadboar1s -"thosc withouta name,
whose swords were a thousand and whose bosom 8
but one" Are they to be forgotten Forgotten
by those with whom and for whom they fought?
God forbid that those who followed our immortal
leader who participated in their pcrils and SYM
pathiZcd in their Cause, should be forgetful OF
them, so fsithless to themselves and to every
! manly sentiment rs to refrain from tcstifying on
all proper occasions and in all appropriate ways
| our undminished and uudying regard for their
memories. No matter what men may now say
| upon the subject Of tho war; no matter what the
| world may think Of those engaged in it, wo will
care for our dead and never cease to honor their
memories. They thought they were right thought
so thoroughly, honestly and consciontiously. Will
| tho Southern people let those neglected graves
| lie IN the miserable condition that they have
| been in years? Every Southern State has rep.
| reSentativc in that neglected and consecrated
cemetery.
| Our Alexandria friend, Mr.. W. Warfcld, who
! has the general management of P0rtncrs celc-
| bratcd beer OH tho line of the Midland road,
| passes here twice a week. We are glad to know
that he is so popular and such favorite, and that
| he attends 80 strictly to his business that ono
branch Of Alexandras interests is steadily i'm
| proving.
! The examination Of teachers Of the public
still in progress. There are about 200 male and
| female teachers, and the new Superintendent,
Rev. Mr.. Gray, acquitted himself admirably. 1t
was an interesting sight to scan the faces of the
teachers in writing their answers from tho BLACK
| board. We only hope they will all be successful
Tho longest train of cars which has ever passed
| oyer tho Midland road land wo doubt over any
road in the Stste) came by last Saturday, heavily
laden, going north-thirty five cars-undcr Con.
| ductor Butler and the old reliable Mike Lynch.
| engineer, who is of the oldest inhabitants Of
| tho road. We don think that can DO beat.
Father Donohue is still here, but greatly to tho
| disappointment OF the Catholics here and sur.
| rounding country, will soon DO sent to Richmond
to assume the charge Of st. Patrick's Church.
| OBSERVER.