The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-13

Morn OF toll nor night OF waking.
One duty above all others the men,
women and children OF the city OF Mem
phis may ever be depended on to per-
form, and that is, on the appointed day |
of every returning spring to freight them
selves with fresh and beautiful flowers,
.wend their way to the silent and lovely
shades Of Elmwood cemetery, and there
bedeck anew the graves OF the heroic
soldier dead. Tho custom has become
implanted in their moral and patriotic
natures.
Yesterday afternoon hundreds OF men,
fair and devoted women, innocent and
loving children, gathered in the cemetery
TO Law their floral tributes on the simply
marked graves. The flowers were twined
into lovely bouquets, wreaths and
crosses, and not grave was neg
lected. The ceremonies throughout were
imposing and fitting 10 the occasion. A
noticeable and gratifying feature Of the
day was the presentation by the Memphis
Post No. 3, of the Grand Army Of the
Republic 10 the Society OF Southern
Mothers OF large and exquisite floral
tribute. To say that Il was received and
appreciated TO the full extent OF the manly
sentiments which had prompted the offer
ing. Is in every word true. More than
this, the Veterans OF the Grand Army were
there, there because they knew they
would be welcomed, there because they
are brave enough to pay respects to dead
and defeated foe.
The Hon. Wm. A. Sanford, Of Covington,
aln N M
and who but n boy was member OF the
gallant Seventh Tennessee raviiiry, had
been selected as the orator OF the occasion,
and was rs promptly on hand TO speak in
truthful praise OF his dead comrades ~ he
had been 10 icarlcssly do his duty by their
sides upon the battle field.
Arnod's band furnished the martial
music that stirred old soldiers souls and
carried them back 10 the days of "lurid
war" At i.30 o'clock, after the lirst So
lection by the band, the Rev. DIR. Buriord,
of Calvary Episcopal church, offered up n
most lcrycnt and appropriate prayer, An.
other selection by the band, then followed
the recitation OF "rho Jacket Of Gray"
by Miss Birdie Hancock. The young
lady recited that pathetic and tonderly
worlcd poem with telling effect, and
many were the eyes OF those who bad
worn jackets of gray that moistcned with
tears. Mr.. Sanford spoke without notes,
and, while he regretted that his engage
menls recently had been ~ pressing M To
prevent him from carefully preparing an
oraiiOn, be need not have done so, for his
speech throughout WIS replete with
rounded thought, fair and patriotic logic.
II l. regretted that all OF IL cannot DO
given 10 the public, but ~ he had no
manuscript only a synopsis Of some Of his
leading thoughts can be given. He spoke
rs follows.
col. sASFoRD's Address.
Col. Sanford spoke as follows:
Ladies' and Gentlemen occasion
which calls us together Is one
which touches the tendcrcst sensi-
bilities. Wherever man has act his
- foot on the earth, there Is found
itrdhriing which makes him dread 20 be
forgotten. In the best characters this feel
ing il Joined with virtue, gonilencss and
high coumga Il leads mon 10 desire n
fair renown, aud from Il have sprung some
OF the mobiles, deeds that have over been
wrought For every voice that calls, God
has made an ear 10 hear. Wherever hui
man lips have become mute with the wish
uuSpoken, there arc human hearts which
answer, the dead shall not be forgotten.
In giving expression 10 that answer OF
our people, there n with us nothing Of
hate nor even unlSindncss. Sorrow soft
ems the hcar-charity keeps company
with grief. When n people rise to that
plane which enables them TO sec the true
greatness Of their own heroes, they arr
lifted far above the iogand get abeticr view
Of the heroic figures OF other lands.
ANY review Of the causes which led I,
our civil strife would be out OF place
therefore none shall be attempted. Indeed
any such review by an actor in that strife
OF even by any one Of the generation
which lived In iis time. would 10 it'll
more than an advocate plea for the tutl
and Justice Of his own side. II IL cnoug
10 say that thcsc struggles have been th
common lot of nations. The causes whic
led to ours were inherent In the form ,
our government They were manifesto
nj an early period Of It's history. The
formed the theme for discussion and cor
troycny until they became too great e
arbitration, too deep Tor compromis'
The question (which side shall pr
yail?" could find an answer n,
where but In the shout Of victor
ON the field Of battle. The controyen
began In words and ended in blows i
beginning was breath, lis end was bloc,
I an not here 10 say which had III
greater legal right. j have my own cot
viclions lot impartial history decd,
hut, standing Ia the presence Of hos
honorcd dead, | can say that both sid,
had much Of reason and Justice. Whc
We reflect ON the horrors OF that evil tin
aud count tho graves wherein blood
shrouds Of blue and gray lie buried
much Of virtue and human hope,
great wave Of sorrow rolls over our hear
and our oyclids are wet with It's spray.
The time WIS when kings mndo war
now war y made by the people Prime
may lead battalions, but the impul
OF the great popular heart must first =
those battalions In motion. Oufa was II
eminenily q war by the great body
God-icaring, couniryloying people.
ycau past history busted herself on
with the decisions Of councils and cour
now with eager inquiry she enters Il
humbosl home, for there she finds Il
tide OF human thought aud human acii,
rolling on IT, wOndr0us course Ina brigl
ncs aud In gloom"
When In future years she shall knock
the doors Of our citizens she will find nj
record that In our struggle tho gr,at bo'
OF the people north and south, were NOV
by the highest impulses Of pairiotis
To NY LEES than this would not be truth
20 say moro would be unmanly.
] have said this was war OF the poop