Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-12-10
MEMORIAL DAY.
smyth Post, G.. A. r., Has Exercises Re
gardin9 Comrades who Died within
the Past Year-Rev. L. II. Barroat's
Eloquent Address

gardins Comrades who Died within
the Past Year-Rev. L. Il. Barrett's
Eloquent Address.
Thomas A. Smyth Post. No. /. g. A.
| H., had Memorial Day" celebration
yesterday afternoon in the post room Al
Third and King streets. The exercises
opened at o'clock. The room was
crowded, there being about 300 persons
present Among these were the widows
and orphans of the deceased comrades.
and members from the other g. A. L.
posts. The officers Of the post were in
their chairs. They are: Commander.
Samuel Lewis; senior vice commander,
jacob Silfer; junior vice commander,
John Spencer; chaplain, J. f. Mont.
gomery; adiutant, Sylvester Solomon !:
quartermaster, James Grimes; surgeon,
Thomas Heepi officer Of the day, Amos
Arthur.
Wesley Chapel choir, under the leader
ship Of Henry f. Pickles furnished
the singing. The exercises were opened
by singing Onward, Christian Soldier
At the direction Of Commander Lewis
Adiutant Solomon read short biographies
OF the comrades who died within the past
year. The biographies in brief follow
James Thompson joined the army in
1861 died February 20, aged AZ years
Thomas Gregg joined Fourth Delaware
Regiment Of Volunteers in 1852 and was
member OF Company G. he died ON
March l.
Thomas Follns was born in England.
He entered the United States navy
and received his discharge on oc-
tober II 1864. He died at the Hampton
Roads, Va, Home in July last
Joseph L. Lowden was born in Bur
lington N. J. He Joined Company II.
Fifth Delaware Regiment Volunteers on
October l3, 1862. He died July IA, aged
90.
Thomas Snyder was born in Philadel-
phia, Pa. He joined Eighth Delaware
Regiment of Volunteers, AID received his
discharge June G, g. He died July 1883,
aged 2S years.
James H. Wrightington enlisted in
Company G Of the Fifty eighth uassa-
chusetts Regiment Of Volunteers. He |
Joined Smyth Post on January ID, 1880, |
and filled almost every Office OF the post. /
He lost his life in warning fellow work |
man. and died July "a 1883, aged Al |
years.
Taylor Gill was member Of the
Eighth Pa Cavalry He died July 80. |
aged AZ years. AS the lives of the de-
ceased comrades were being read their
chairs draped in black were brought for
ward On each chair was a floral wreath.
with the words "At Rest thereon.
After responses and prayer by Rev.
l.. g. Barrett of st. Pauls NJ e. Church,
Commander Lewis gave personal remip
iscences o.. each OF the deceased comrades
He said that all Of them went into eter
nifty believing in Christ and unhinching
at the approach of death In speaking Of
Comrade Wrightington, he told OF pre-
monition he had of death and his request
that he be buried in the vicinity OF the
other soldiers graves at the Wilmington
and BrandyMine Cemetery.
Chaplain Montgomery then read the
18th Psalm, and the choir sang Were
Ienting on the old Camp Ground
Rev. H. K. Barrett then made an ad
dress on the occasion Of the exercises. He
spoke Of the unhinching patriotism OF
those who had risked their lives for their
country, and gave a review Of its grand
history. His speech was a magnificent
effort, and his tribute to the old flag and
the veterans Of the late war made q
powerful impression He said in concl1-
sion: I'VE glory in our fiag-not as q
sentiment-but look upon that flag as
the symbol Of liberty. How an Ameri.
cans heart rejoices when, travelling in q
foreign land, he sees the stars and stripes
floating in the breeze These dead com
radeE loved their country and they had
reason to. OF all the countries deserving
love, ours is supreme Ny lsve OF nv
country Is second only to my love Of my
dod We love our country for her insti-
sntlons Other countries cannot begin
TO compare with ours.
The pillars Of this country are founded
IN the home. These men who fought
we're patriots; they were fighting FOR
heir country, and they offered up self.
heir wives and children that this grand
country might be united and inseparable.
These our dead comrades stood the IA
igue Of march, the routine Of the camp
he perils of tho battle, the suffering OF
he hospital, were. ready in conflict and
houted at victory When the war was
'ver they returned home and went into
BUSINESS but to-day they are not 1t is
Itting and proper that the post should re-
member those who have passed on little
q advance.
Cherish their memory, and at last
Fhen you come to die may you advance
o meet the foe as uniinchingly as you
id on the Southern battlefield. The 4
ulogy occupied half hour and was lis .
ened to with rapt attention The dox- +,
logy was then sung, concluding the ex. !
reises. The widow and daughter OF I
ames II. Wrightington were present
nd their great sorrow won them the \
Of the audience. !