Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-05-31
FLORAL PATRIOTISM.
Memorial Day and How Fittingly 1t
Was Observed by the People
of Santa Fe.
A Big Parade and Plenty Of Flowers-At
the Military Cemetery-EVen.
ing Ceremonies.

in Santa Fe again demonstrates that the
capital city never does anything by halves
Not even the untimely behavior OF the
weather clerk was allowed to interfere
with the beautiful and solemn exhibition
of patriotism which the day serves to re-
kindle in the heart Of the people. The
weather was delightfully."- pleasant up to
| $3.50 o'clock. An hour previous to this
time the streets were crowded with peo-
pie. On the plaza mass OF humanity
gathered, bringing flowers as emblems OF
peace and good will. The air was rent
with the sounds of martial music; the
flash of saber and cleaning helmet was
radiant in the sunlight; the CHATTER Of
horses hoofs resounded far and near as
the time approached for marshaling the
divisions of the procession, and myriads
of waving flags futtered awelcome as the
various organizations tramped past to
join the line then formingon Lincoln and
Palace avenues.
THE PROCESSION.
At 8 o'clock the bugle call sounded and
the procession moved forward, stretching
out for over mile in length. The 10th
U. s. infantry band headed the parade.
Three companies Of U. S. troops under
command of Capt. Barrett marched in
column by platoons. Capt. Barrett's com
pany was on the right under command of
Lieut.. Clarke. Capt. Duggan's company
came next, bearing the regimeutal colOrs,
and then followed Capt. Stretch's fine
command. Carleton post, q. A. r., had
fifty veterans in line, followed by visiting
veterans, and the feature of this division
was grand new flag, pure silk,
draped in mourning. This is the first
national flag in New Mexico that bears
forty-two stars. Following the repre-
sentatives of the Grand Army came the
Santa Fe fire department, and Chief Gray
is certainly to be congratulated upon the
appearance of his men. 1t was their first
turn out in full uniform. There were
sixty-tive men in line, and both the hose
cart and the hook truck were gOrgeously
decorated. Following this division in the
parade came carriage containing Mrs.
Geo. w. Knaebel Mrs. Gov. Prince and
Mrs. Col. Douglass, the ladies of the floral
committee; territorial officials on horse
back county officials in carriages; officers
of Fort Marcy and their families school
children; flower wagons, and an unpre-
cedented long line of private carriages and
citizens on horseback.
AT THE MILITARY CEMETERY.
Arriving at the national military ceme-
terry the head OF the procession waited
nearly half All hour for all to get on to the
ground, and then hollow square was
formed while the 10th infantry band rem
dered a solemn piece Of music. A stirring
opening address was made by Post Com
mander Champion. Prayer by the post
chaplain, Geo. W. Knaebel, was heard
with uncovered heads. The ritual adj
dress followed another peice of music by
the band. Officer of the Day n. N. New
ell, spoke briefly and, taking from the
hands of Miss Mamie Champion huge
floral wreath, placed it solemnly over
monument. Then ranks were broken
and the sacred duty OF depositing flowers
upon the dead warriors graves was en-
gagged in by all. Despite the backward
season of the present year there was an
abundance of flowers, and the many elab-
crate designs into which they had been
woven attracted much attention.
The duty of strewing the flowers had
scarcely been accomplished when the
storm came on and rain began to fall.
However, there was no undue haste to
scurry home. The usual salute to the
dead was fired; and after the post chap
lain's benediction taps were sounded,
the procession again formed and the long
line again took up its march, proceeding
to the plaza, where the increasing rain
made it disband in hurry.
EVENING CEREMONIES
took place at the capitol in the beautiful
hall of representatives, beginning at s
o'clock. At this hour the heavens still
wore threatening aspect and there were
occasional blasts of rain, but nevertheless
every seat in the spacious hall was occu-
pied when the ceremonies opened. Capt
Hiram Champion, commander of Carleton
post, presided. After prayer by Rev. &.
G. Smith, the choir rendered song, and
then came Judge Francis Downs address.
The gentleman spoke at some length. He
referred to the grateful remembrance with
which deeds of chivalry and valor have al
ways been held by mankind; he spoke
pathetically of the custom of observing
Memorial day, and its influences upon the
youth of the land, and reviewed at length
the great questions of political govern
ment which led up to the war of the
rebellion and other equally as great
problems which followed the war, and
which are now working out their own
solution under the softening influences of
the greatest system of government the
world has ever known. In concluding
his address Judge Downs said
We must regard every man as brother.
When we find him beaten and robbed
and left by the wayside, we must not play
the part of the Pharisee and the Levte
and pass afar off, but act like the good
Samaritan.
1t is the duty of the strong to assist,
not to Cypress the weak.
This was our national sin.
We closed our ears to the cry of the
oppressed. The blood of our brothers,
like that of Abel's, cried from the ground,
and the Lord heard it.
If we would rightfully honor our dead
comrades, let US emulate their unselfish
example.
Let US devote ourselves to an unselish
patriotism.
Humanity is hanging breathless on
our fate"
When this nation was convulsed, as it
was, in the very throes Of death, the great
heart of the civilized world beat in sym
pathy with u.s. History will record Alright
the verdict; it will award the honor to
those who fought, and those who fell in
defense of human liberty.