Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-05-31
The Exercines.

the Pavilion were besieged by ladies and gentle
men, desirous OF obtaining seats from which all
the exercises might be beheld. Shortly after
the entrances to the balconies were opened
and by the time the procession reached the
building not seat in the huge building was
vacant, except those reserved for the soldiers
and the officers OF the day, and these were
shortly filed. The decorations used for the
State Democratic Convention, short time
since, had not been taken down. and after the
last person had been seated thewast hall pre-
sented very patriotic appearance. on the
stage several large floral pieces had been ar
ranged, one to the left beaming In floral letters
"Our Heroes" The center piecet was floral
bird adorned with tho Nation al colors, and at
the right was standard over which were let
ters denoting that 1t was in honor OF the
At half past two O'clock the exercises were
opened by General Jthn G. Fremont, President
OF the Day, who saidthat the day was one which
after the present generation has passed away
GENERAL FgEMoNr's ADDRESS.
Ladies' and Gentlemen, and Comrddes.--
This day, dedicated to the Defenders of the
Republic, is the Nations Festival of Flowers
From all time and through all nations these
perfect expressions OF natures bounty have
come down to us freigh ID with tender and
beautiful associations. With each recurring
spring, when the year wskens into bloom from
the winters death, we lay upon the bosom OF
the earth wherein our comrades sleep these
lovely tributes to their memory. made loveier
still by the messages which they bear to them
from ua. Mute though they are. they have this
day language which finds Its echo in every
patriot hesrt. They speak Of brave work done,
Of its Immortal bloom, aud they bear witness to
a Nations gratitude They symbolize Ma
tons voice which to-day chants the requiem
for departed heroes The Atlantic sun this
morning shone upon them, and they have fol
lowed him in his course to our Pacific shores.
From ocean to ocean. brondstrewn over the
continent, they mark by their lovely presence
the graves of our comrades, whom we Assem-.
BILE this day to honor. In memory OF these, our
! brothers. we are to hear today soldier Of the
war for the Union. He does not come before
you to dwell upon regrets for the heroic sacri.
: flee OF lives in the war The day OF mourning
10 past--merged in tho grand fruitioT% OF the
remains % for us US 70 hold in nndying sernera enc
trance the service which they rendered--to
commemorate their true and loyal devotion
from their lives In the tumult Of battle fol
country's sake, truly for them the Gates stood
ajsr. they held their county together, nevel
to be supdered. They renewed its life And IN
= their successful struggle they redeemed tho
promise which our forcfathers made to the
world when first we became a Nation. Under
the influence Of such feelings we will listen tC
the comrsde who to-day is to be their spokes
man and ours. He Will speak for them as |
soldier. standing here in the glory reflected
from their many fields of battle.
Rev. w. A. Knighsen, Chaplain Of tho day
delivered brief but touching prayer, afte
which the band played Rest, Spirit, Rest"
Of the day. comrade W. P. wadc who spoke d
follows:
THE GRAFTON.
Mn. PRESIDENT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
COMRADES or THE GRAND ARMY OF THE RE
PuBMc.-Once more we have assembled on thu
anniversary of this solemn festival. TO pay Low
ing tribute To the memory OF thosc whose live
were consecrated to the service of our common
country. and who now abide in the silent elite
of the dead, or slumher beneath the bosom 0
the ocesn. We do not come together with bois
terous shouts and broy OF trumpet to mark tfti
occasion as one OF warriors triumph, nor al
upon a days recrGation TO engage in tina
mirthful exchange of war experience. whicl
IT our camp6res series TO brighten the life o
the ola soldier or sailSr, cheeiiug his heart 0,
bis Tarch through life as his head grown gray
hi94yo loses its youthful luster. and mia wear!
fQoE falls more gently upon the beaten patl
X&E lends him home. We come with heart
kued to gentle 4s0sghtss and memories bus,
Il |h refoctions Both sweet and sad Of com
When Tie cruel war Yas over and the defend
~ q the ReIp bile hai one snosher on thet
g. wgTg Ill i9f the dss