Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-30
OUR ILLUSTRATORS DEAD.
Memorial Day Exercises by the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Sons of VaferanS.

Memorial Day Exercises by the Grand
 Army of the Republic, and the Sons of
 Veterans.
 Of late years Memorial day does not seem to have the same significance to the public mind that it did several years ago, when every factory in the city shut down and soldier and citizen turned out to do honor to the heroes who gave up their lives for the union cause. It IS sad to recognize this fact but still there are those in whose breasts the memory of the war, its campfire and battlefield, its heart-rending scenes in the battlefield and hospital and prison, are still so vivid that it is with 8 sorrowful joy that they look forward to the day when the graves of their former comrades may be the object of their devotion. To-days exercises were somewhat more extensive than last years. The day broke fair and warm, and be it said to the honor of Wad- hams post, G. A. R., and the Sons of Veterans that they turned out to man.
 Shortly after o'clock the conveyances arrived at the Post room, and the squads detailed to decorate the graves left to per form their work of love. They were as follows: To St Joseph's cemetery, Michael Davidson, Henry Dumphy, Dwight Smith, John Totten, R. D. Platt, George Nc Kenna, J. M. Gallagher, H. Northrop, Charles Rankin, James Mintie and James McGill, Horatio Nelson in command. Those to River side cemetery were: George Hart ley, R. s. Gaylord, F. Hoadley, w. Niver, Otis Beecher, J. Hayes, J. Vorra, c. E.. Bartlett, F. E. Cross, o. H. Cooke and Chas Greenleaf, under charge of Com mander Platt. The outside cemeteries were taken care of by the following: Ruol'c Hill hu East Farms and Pine Grove, by J. H. Garrigus; Waterville, by John West and G. B. Davis. At about 10 o'clock the post again assembled at the hall, and the line of march was formed in the following order Mattatuck Drum corps; color guard, con- sisting of color-bearer George McKenna, guards Nj. Kavenaugh, H. J. Andrews, H. B. Northrop, William Tyroe, Lemuel Will jams, Henry Dumphy, F. J. Nichols and Dwight Russell; Commander Platt and Ad- jutant Gaunt; Senior V. O., T. R. Martini James Prior, officer of the day; Charles Greenleaf, officer of the guard; comrades of the post. This division was upder the command of Marshal John L. Sake. The Sons of Veterans were under the com mand of Marshal Ingraham and Captain Berger. The line of march was through East Main to Bank, to Grand, to Church, to the monument. The monument had been previously hung with everQreens by a committee from the Sons of Veterans consisting of Marshal Ingraham, Captain Berger, J. w. St Hilaire and Charles Baker. Having formed d line about the east side the dead march was rendered by the drum corps and the wreaths of flowers disposed about the base of the monument. Rev l.. F. Baker then delivered the memorial address an abstract of which is as follows:
 Sons of Veterans, Grand Army of the Republic and citizens We are gathered here to-day to do honor to the illustrious dead. I see before me several classes, the of those who went out to 9nr rsgJI9gs a aReqhty qy thfv thvss Sisters and brothers of those to whom we do hof1or to-day. The feelings that possess you to- day are varied. Your memories of the past are not only memories of the war. While to many these memories are still fresh memories of earlier life and that of the dead pass across your minds.
 The sons of veterans remember their fathers not only as soldiers but as fond parents who carried them upon their shoulders or fondled them upon their knees. The veterans remember their dead comrades in connection with scenes of bloodshed and carnage, in the excite ment of battle and the horror of the blood red field. They remem- Der the last act of kindness, the last message sent to the loved ones at home and the last moonlight night when they bore them silently to their last rest ing place in the land of the south. They remember them as they bore their man. gled bodies home to be buried in the land of their childhood, and to-day they gather to do them honor. The wife and the mother remember their husband or sons, not only as the gallant soldier but as the light of their homes, the joy of their lives. The father remembers his boy as & noble young man. He cherishes the recollection of the earlier years more than the weary years when his son was in dis tant land Recollection of their boyhood days crowd the minds of the brothers of the dead citizens who remem- Der them as true and trusted townsmen. Il is fitting that ali classes should gather te do honor to the dead, and to-day is in com incarceration not only of the dead but the living. The flowers which we bring are emblems of peace, love and kindly feel ings It is the saddest of thoughts, to think we will be forgotten after death Although the dead may be ignorant of this mark of our respect and love, yet it is an assurance to the living that they will not be forgotten. But the time is near whe1 those snail arise ITOn Cuo grave. ArOuul the grave is the rainbow of resurrection May the good qualities of those who's memory we honor to-day be emulated b. their sons, and may their example hell them to become men in the highest sens of the word.
 The address was followered by a prayer and the column marched back to their re spective halls.
 At the opera house this afternoon tn memorial exercises were opened by gran chorus of 100 voices by the scholars of tn High school under the direction of Pro Wolcott. Prayer was offered by the Re A. c. Eggleston, and the selection "Com rades in Arms" rendered by inc Ario qnartette The Rev J. G. Davenport req poem appropriate to the day, after whic the Arions favored the large audience wit
 another selection entitled, "Soldier' Adieu," which was very impressive The chairman then introduced tn
 Rev Dr George E. Reed of Ne Haven, as the speaker of the day. Tn reverend gentleman's address was full ( love and patriotism and created dee impression upon all present. The pre gramme was concluded by the singing ( "America''' by the High. school scholar and the audience, after which the bel