The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-06-07

rendered by the choir, consisting O
Mesdames Cross. Harris and Penny
Miss Emma G. Sims, and Messrs. E
N. Evans, J. e. Evans, johnson and
Burnett, and Miss Anna Goddard a
accompanist.
Comrade Griffith then introduced
Judge @. B. Graves, who delivered al
eloquent Grafton.
SPEECH or JUDGE C. B. GRAVES.
Ny comrades ana fellow citizens:
This day Is peculiar unto itself. Ii
all the year, there il no day like Dec.
Grafton Day. It differs from Fourth
Of July celebration, and yet there is in
its ceremonies that which appeals di
rectIy to the patriotism of every heart.
It differs from q political convention,
but 1t the same time, the close relation
ship Of those whose graves we decorate
with the great political questions
which have agitated the people Of this
country for the last quarter OF a CEN
litical sense. It differs from an ordin-
airy funeral, but still, sombre shade
of sadness overshadows all its proceed
ingB. So much does the day remind uG
Of the occasions referred to that who
ever undertakes to address the people
upon this day Is constantly tempted
toward the channels of thought, sup
posed to be beyond the limit of strict
propriety. have felt this differently
but shall endeavor to speak only Of
those things which by the most rigid
rules, win be conceded to be appropri-
ate to the occasion.
We have assembled to-day, as we
have often done before, and as In the
course Of the years to come, we hope to
often do again, for the purpose Of
streWing flowers, our first spring flow
ers upon the graves OF our dead COM
rades.
In the performance Of these beauti-
fUl ceremonies, we do not act alone,
but everywhere all over our land,
wherever our soldiers lie buried, there,
our comrades, like ourselves, have
gathered together on this day, and at
many places at this very hour are en-
gagged with Us, in decorating the last
resting places of those Of our number
who have been transferred to the
Grand Army above.
Not only do our comrades act with
us upon these occasions, but here, and
elsewhere, our fellow citizens general
ly, men. women and children, of all
ages and races, people of every religi-
GUS and political faith, business pro-
LCoG4OA oAu0 CO404oAOA "a AAACo 0AASC
with US. Flows are stopped. business
houses, Offices and shops are closed
schools are dismissed, courts are adj
journed, and general popular desire
Is manifested to make this day of
general public interest and importance.
The members of the Grand Army of
the Republic constitutes but a small
proportion Of the vast crowds of people
who are annually present at and give
- u
tive rites as imposing and impressive
as possible. Many who exhibit deep
and abiding interest in the proceedings
never saw an old soldier while he was
in the service. Indeed, those who usu-
ally give most enthusiasm, grace and
beauty to these occasions, are the
young ladies and gentlemen-ladies
Just blooming into lovely WomanhoOd,
beautiful and pure as the opening buds
they weave into wreaths; gentlemen
just merging into strong and patriotic
manhood; ladies and gentlemen who,
when we and our comrades enlisted,
and encountered wars wild alarms, p
were yet reposing in the mysterious
silence Of undevelOped nature. uncon-
scious atoms in the great universe.
They never saw the face of any COM
rade who lost his life in battle. They
know Of them only by tradition and
history.
One very remarkable feature of dec
Grafton day is the practice of decorat-
ing the graves of the "blue and the
gray" alike, where both are buried to
gether. This practice probably orig
the Republic, and perhaps without the
active aid or cooperation of any old
soldier at all. However that may be,
the practice seems to be generally OBJ
served where it can be, and appears to
be constantly growing in public favor.
This practice Of making no distinction
between the graves of those who, when
alive, were in deadly antagonism to
each other, is somewhat inconsistent
with what I originally understood the
purpose of decoration day to be, and led
me to INQUIRE as to its object and mean.
ing. What is decoration day forp What
influence for good, if any, does the pub
lie obtain from the observance of its Ger
emoniesp What Is there in common
between the "Blue and Gray" thai
makes the decoration of each consistent
or desirable?
There is probably a wide diversity Of
opinion upon these questions. Some Of
us may think that the act of decoration
is q personal tribute sacred to the mem
DRY Of the soldier whose grave is deco
A41GAs OBAACA6 Will ROAA1Po ~
public recognition Of the debt which thu
people Of this country owe to the ole
soldier for the grand results of the war
While those Of our citizens who havI
enough Of the leaven OF the old rebel
| lion IN their souls to make them read!
to denounce any and everything tina
can be construed into criticism of thu
southern confederacy, will regard thi
day as merely partisan proceeding
| the necessary influence OF which tend
| directly to keep alive the discords ant
animosities which grew out of the wal
j and to prevent the reconciliation of GU
divided and hitherto beliggerent pee
pie. But none of these, suggest tn
propriety Of decorating the ''Blue an
Gray" alike, but on the contrary rathe
repel every such idea.
1t is matter Of very little import
ance how these ceremonies effec
the mind of the old soldier
He will soon pass away, ant
except in q general sense be forgotten
but the impressions OF this day,-w
fervently hoPeI-win survive all VIII
now live, and be peTpetuated, as len
among men. Every child that wit
nesses the exercises of this day, will b
impressed in some way, as to thei
meaning, and 1t is into the care an
keeping of these children, that thes
proceedings must soon be wholly con
mitted. We cannot expect them
observe and perpetuate the exercise
of this day, unless they find in thel
some great principle or sentiment
that finds a Judgement in every patr
otto heart.
In determining the nature Of the in
preston which will naturally be. mad
on the minds of those not directly an
personally interested in these votiN
offerings, as the. immediate comradC
and friends may be, it will be proper
consider some of the general characte
istics of the act Of decoration. Our for
, gifts are not confined to the graves
those who died that liberty might liz
as it is sometimes expressed, but v
decorate the grave of every soldie
whether he died during the war (
since. The grave Of the comrade WI
died yesterday is decorated to-day,
carefully and tenderiy as any of theI
even though he may have lost his Ii
in lawless riot, organized for the pu
: pose of overriding and defying Il
I "a Ia a ID