The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-04
CAPT. DOyENgR'S ADDRESS
Al welIsburg On Memorial Day-An Flo
uuent Grafton,

uuent Oruuon,
Following is a synopsis OF the fine
memorial address OF Capt. B. b. Dove
ner, of this city, delivered at WellsburG
May 80, Decoration Day. Its earlier ap-
pearance was prevented by a rush OF
other matters:
This is indeed festival OF the dead.
1t is the Nations Sabbath day, day
upon which we with patriotic devotion,
strew with flowers the graves OF our
fallen comrades, who have passed over
the river and are resting under the
shade OF the trees upon the other side.
Surely in such piacennd atsuch time
us this no man can be dumb or fail to
utter patriotic sentiments. You are a
loyal and patriotic people and it will not
be necessary to dwell upon the signi-
ficance OF the day. Have you ever
thought what world OF beautiful and
holy thoughts connected with this day :?
As this day approaches nature does it
reverence and periodically urges the
flowers to maturity, and rs they peep
and bud and bloom and blossom, the
fathers, mothers, widows and children
of our deceased comrades, note their
coming and watch with jealous care for
the brightest and most beautiful.
What memories it recalls to them Of
their darling boys, husbands and fathers,
who quarter OF n century ago marched
away under the flag to risk their lives
in the defense OF their country and mover
returned home again. They remember
the last fond embrace, they again feel
cords OF the heart readyt to break; tears
once more come to their eyes-again the
wild delirium OF war is recalled. They
hear the piercing notes of the fife and
the roll OF the drum. They see the flag
floating in the breeze above the long
line OF blue, and they hear the tramp
and see the pale faces OF loved ones us
they march away, and are gone, never
to return again.
Language cannot express, nor can
tongue tell, the loneliness and despair OF
mothers, sisters and wives who gave up
their loved ones in those trying hours,
nor the desolation and woe that over
came them when they returned home to
watch and wait and pray for the return
OF loved ones again. How the child in
quired for the return of the day when
papa should come home again from the
war. But, oh woe unutterable when
the electric flash conveyed to heavy
hearts the news that great battle had
been fought, and dear ones are among
the list Of the dead and others among
the wounded or captured.
Recall, if you can, these scenes, those
fearful times, and then you can appre-
ciate what is passing in the minds Of the
surviving comrades, mothers, widows
and children Of these men whom we love
to honor rs we see the bright flowers OF
spring budding and blooming. They
are then thinking Of the grassy mounds
in these cemeteries and OF those who
sleep their last sleep in the cities OF the
dead. And when the day comes holy
calm falls upon the land. All business
is suspended. The Grand Army gather
al their post headquarters. They get
out the old flag and Us it waves in the
breeze draped in mourning they once
more march beneath it with solemn step
to the untitled drum. Not to battle. No!
No! They are marching to these sacred
spots. The mothers, the fathers, the
widows, the orphans, every patriotic
citizen is in line. Beautiful children
with garlands and flowers to decorate
the last resting place OF the veterans OF
1875, and when the cemetery is reached
hear the words of patriotism spoken,
the soul thrilling and inspiring songs
that are sung. God is worshiped and
His divine blessing is asked and received.
An feel that in honoring our dead they
do honor to themselves and are better
for having done so. Every soul is lifted
to a higher plane ofthought, all feel bet
ter, purer and holier for having done so.
No patriotic American citizen should fail
to make due observance OF this day, :.
Behold the picture Of the whole land
from ocean to ocean thus engaged in &C
knowledging the debt Of gratitude they
owe to these sleeping patriots; see the
rising generation drinking in lessons OF
patriotism, listening TO the praises for