Morning journal and courier., 1889-05-31
MEMORY porEs ON HEROES.

Memory of Their Deeds-Decorations
 of the Morning, Parade and Ad-
 dresses of the Afternoon.
 Patriotism and flowers gaily fourished on
 street and thoroughfare and aroused touoh-
 ing memories of the heroic dead, as their
 graves were strewn with the sweet remem-
 branoers yesterday morning.
 A svmpathetic sun did not look down
 from on high and smile its approval upon
 the noble work which the friends of the
 dead were performing; but, nevertheless, the
 ! hearts of the many devoted ones were warm
 with love for the self-sacrifcing ones, and
 their nemes are as bright and howery as if
 the lowering clouds Of heaven had not also
 joined in the general mourning and shed so
 many tears upon the devoted mass ot hu-
 manity that the success of the human
 ! exhibition and parade was much imper- filed.
 But the spirit that prompted the many ! lovers of those who died that the Union ! might live and march on victoriously at the front of the phalanx of nations to honor | their departed loved ones is proof against ' all storms and tempests and will live on and ! flourish, whether it's lot is cast under a heaven darkened by falling mass of angels | and tears or frightened and made glorious | by the smiling sins of an omnipotent God. The earliest labor of love was the strewing | of beautiful blossoms upon the graves Of the \ departed ones in the morning. The veterans ! met at their post headquarters at half-past ! nine, and were greeted there by numberless ! rolling mounds of flowers which had been brought by the willing hands of children, | and had been sent by older ones who have a Y lively interest in memorials to our dead | heroes.
 The old state house, perhaps, presented one of the most animated scenes of the kind ! in the city. The ladies of the womens relief corps were busily at work, and the surpr1s- ingIy beautiful floral designs and figures were among the most admired features of the day A fine anchor of immortelles and 8 basket of beautiful flowers were sent to decorate the grave of Admiral Foote in Grove street cemetery, and 8 large number of fowery wreaths and baskets of flowers were ready for the resting places of Henry c. Merwin and George Chamberlain in the Evergreen cemetery Twenty five wreaths and crosses were laid upon the soldiers plot in St. Der nard cemetery. The soldiers monument ID Evergreen cemetery was very beautiful sight with it's lovely burden of flowers. While the fowery tokens of love were be- ! ing deposited by comrades of the departed l ones, soft strains of music pealed from Trin- { ity's chimes, swinging in their stoney tower, l and at the same time picturesque scene was being inaugurated upon the summit of East Rock Park, where the Memorial day ! committee was decorating the soldiers' mon | ument with fowery trophies. The graves of | soldiers in Fair Haven were also being ! adorned.
 THE AFTERNOONS CEREMONIES. Throughout the morning leaden clouds hung over the lsbors of the veterans but at noon solitary streak of sunlight breaking | through the heavens seemed to promise smil- | ing weather, but the omen was false Scarce | ly an hour had passed when heavy torrents were falling. These gave way to sunshine | again, and throughout the afternoon the \ ceremonies were interrupted or embarrassed | by heavy showers falling intermittently. ! The parade, however, formed about the ! Green, tramping the mud and water in the \ streets into @ clayey mixture which per sistently and tenaciously adheared to ! the trowsers of the marching celebraters and was left, as the procession passed over it and consigned it once more to itself in state of slimy ooze.
 The parade was headed by that handsome body of men, the New Haven police, Chief Bollman riding in advance of his men, and even the occasional drenching by rain and manly beauty from this brave squadron of the members of the "fnest." " The procession was composed of the several organizations as published | in yesterdays COURIER, and the soldier boys. fremen, horse guards, veterans, all marched as sturdily and bravely against the offending element which every now and then fell upon | them, as they surely would against blind | ing storm of bullets upon the field of bat | tie.
 Foremost in the parade, riding proudly at ! the head of the martial array, was the manly 1 form of General Frank D. Sloat. He was ] the center of all eyes and this, his first pub | lie appearance here in many months, was heartily greeted by his many friends. The first sunny beam broke from above as ! the head of the procession reached the re- viewing stand before City Hall, where Mayor Peck and 6 host of city officials were exalted in full splendor to review the passing show. After this, no rain fell and the following ceremonies upon the Green were conducted with little fear of drenohing. CEREMONIAL ADDRESSES. A round, tall tower stood in the center of
 the platform which rested in the middle of the Grand army plot on the Green, and this noticeable figure was decorated with greens and flowers. Upon its front, in floral letters, was this inscription:
 Memory
 Of Our
 Comrades
 Who Sleep In
 Unmarked Graves
 On
 Freedoms
 Battle
 Fields.
 Upon the platform about the base of this admirable emblem, sat the speakers who were to address the crowds of people assem- bled about the plot, and along the sides of the enclosure, upon seats erected for the pur- pose, sat numbers of Sunday school children, who were to sing patriotic airs between the speeches under the direction of Professor Jepson.
 The band rendered the f1st Reveille, after which the ''Battle Hymn of the Republic" was sung and General Frank D. Sloat, post department commander and marshal of the day, began his remarks upon "The Duty of the Day." Said he:
 Commander, comrades and friends The duty of to-day is of imperative significance. We meet to honor our dead and to deepen our reverence for their worth; to strengthen among ourselves the
 bond of fraternity by recalling the memory ana ex
 ensIs bsrv for ous eonrade. who are sick or
 in distress and for the destitute wards or the Grand
 try and our nag and to emphasize in the minds and
 hearts of all who may unite with us the privilege
 It is expected that throughout our services each
 one will manifest the most courteous and reyerent that we may worthily honor the graves we deco rate, the memories we cherish the flag we salute and the Grand Army to which we belong. A large earthern urn stood at the base of the floral memorial pillar and 1t was then decorated with imposing ceremonies. An invocation was pronounced by Chaplain H. W. Loomis. It was 8 touching, earnest, simple, patriotic prayer. Past Post Com msnder James D. Piunkett gave the initial dedication address, which was: Comrades: To-day is the festival of dead. We unite to honor the memory of our brave and beloved, to enrich and ennoble our lives by calling public heroism and private worth that is immortal, to encourage by our service more zealous and stalwart heroism. Festival of the dead; yes, though many eyes clouded with
 tears, though many lives still desolate because of the fathers brothers, the husband lover who did not come back; though every grave which
 tender reverence or love adorns with flowers is fiuence is still potent, though it's i first keen poignancy has been dulled-despite
 of all to-day is festival, festival of our dead,
 less festival because it is full of solemnity. And now, as in the silent camping groand of our dead with seldery tenderness and love garland these passionless mounds, let recall those who made the.r breasts barricade between our country and
 its foes Let recall their toll, their suferings,
 their heroisms their supreme fidelity in camp, in prison pen on the battle field and in hospital and
 the flag under which they fought and from the shadow of whose folds they were promoted may
 not be dishonered that the country for whose union and supremacy they surrendered life may have the
 fervent and enthusiastic devotion of every citizen:
 that as we stand by every grave or before altar wa may DledQo OIr manhood that so helD God