The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-05-03

Last Thursday being Memorial Day, under
the auspices OF the Ladies Memorial Association
five o'clock was fixed as the nour for meeting
al the soldiers graves in the City Cemetery for
the delivery of the annual address. For several
hours prior TO the time, a. 10 the custom, the
ladies of the city were to be seen coming from
every direction with fnral offerings to deck the
soldiers graves By the time appointed for
the delivery of the address there had conerega-
ted large concOurse Of ladies and gentlemen
from city and county, with many visitors, who
had met to assist in the celebration, and the
graves were beautifully and tastefully decorated
with flowers and appropriate notices, express
sive of The love and lasting devotion Of our peo-
pie to the memory and worth ofour departed
heroes. Unusual interest was manifested in
this days celebration from the fact that since
last Memorial Day Miss Mag Brown. the former
President OF the association. had died, and in
honor of her memory particular interest was
manifested.
The ceremonies were commenced by an i'm
preseve prayer offered oy the Rev. Mr.
Richardson, pastor OF the Presbyterian Church.
Judge Maxwell, Chief Justice of our Supreme
Court, In most impressive and appropriate
manner, spoke of the character and life Of the
he depicted her devotion to the memoey Of our
departed dead brought tears 70 the eyes OF many
Of his bearers.
Cpon the conclusion Of bis remarks he brought
forward and introduced the orator of the occa-
sion, Mr.. John s. Beard, the selection of whom
was mos, appropriate from the fact that bis
father, the late Col VIM. Z Beard, was one of
Florida's most gallant sons. whose memory 10
ever dear Ia every true Floridian.
Mr.. Beard departed from the course usually
pursued on such occasions and delivered an ora.
lion which, while it went beyond the many
tributes of respect and praise to those whose
memory he addressed himself gave the reasons
why The memary OF those who fell in the Con-
irderaie cause should be revered - patriots, 10
we'll 10 true sad loyal men.
He showed first the inherent right 10 every
man oi revolution when the established govern
ment Dies not accomplish the ends for which Il
~as orgauized, and illustrated this both upon
principle aud many historical precedents, both
ancient and modern, and that the South had
never rebelled, not yet appealed to arms, "but
each Southern State, acting for itself, and In its
sovereign capacity, asserted Ito right to withdraw
from the Constitutional compact the obligations
of which had NOT been observed by the other
contracting part,es," and that they had both
precep, and prece 'ent Tor their action, notably
In the action al Massachusetts, and other New
England States, who had more than once threat
snsd secession in the early history Of the ooun-
try.
BE paid glowing tributes to Generals Lee, A.
g. johnson. Joseph e. Johnston, Stone WALL
jackson, and other Southern Gepersis, bat the
culmisa.ion oi his eloquence Was reached when
be attempted the portrayal OF the high charac.
ter, dauntless courage and patriotic purpose OF
our rcvered Chief ex-Presidens Davis, whom hs
con.euded would be looked upon when the biz.
| ter sectioual hatreds engendered by civil wal
shall have passed away, - true exemplar and
| fearless advocate Of Constitutional Liberty.
We regret that We cannot give the full tsxt a
| Mr. Beard's address. which woald b Rad and
studied with pro6t By the rising genesatioa.
We ars glsd ef Ills smanifsstslioo Of renewed
iassssse b tAis esSsbsatioo Of In Day which
shoald always be held sacssd By ssuy trus m
end daughter Of TIE South.