Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-31
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
DECORATION DAY FITTINGLY Oh
SERVED I'M THE CITY.
Ex-Governor George T. Anthony Delivers
an Able and Eloquent Address
Estimated Ten Thousand People Visit the
Cemetery-Not Soldiers Grave Is
Left Ungarlanded-The New Sol
diers' Plot Decorated by
the Orator Of
the Day.
MEMORIAL SERVICES.

Yesterday was memorial LAY anu TlgHt
fittingly was it observed in the city. In
the early morning hours many hundreds OF
the residences were neatly and handsomely
decorated. The business streets had I'M
dergone marked change. Many Of the
business establishments showed the
national colors, and by every one it seemed
to be the order of the day to pay due re-
spect to the nations honored dead.
At 8 o'clock the flowers commenced to
reach Garfield hall, and it did not take
long to clearly demonstrate that the
graves would be more lavishly garlanded
than ever before. In this connection it
may be well to state that three of the
leading florists Of the city state that never
before were there SO many calls, and, in
fact, could not supply the demand for GER
tain kinds of the most desirable flowers.
At o'clock those who intended to join
in the procession to the Crawford opera
house commenced to gather at the Gar
field. In few minutes it could be esti-
mated that the number joining in the pro-
ces.ion would be unusually large.
Promptly at 1:30 the line was formed by
officer of the day Col. L. n. Woodcock
and commenced the march. First was the
Kansas National Guard; speaker of the
day, Ex-Governor George T. Anthony, Col.
". Stewart, II. D. Heiserman and Chap
lain Harmon in a carriage; Ladies Relief
Corps in carriages; Garfield post and 9TH
er members of the Grand Army from other
posts in the county, majority Of whom
were from Colwich; citizens in carriages.
The procession was over a half mile in
l. nv -, orth IN
Water from First TO Second, east to Main
street, south to Douglas, east to Topeka
and south to the Crawford. On reaching
the Crawford the Kansas National
Guards opened ranks, came to
present and the line marched between.
The old soldiers in passing very gracefully
uncovered heads. The speaker of the day,
Governor Anthony and escort, reached the
opera house promptly at 2 o'clock, the
time announced in the program for the ex-
ercises to commence. The absence OF q
band was noticed in the procession, and IN
justice to the committee having the mat
ter in charge, it may be well to state that
no lack of attention should be attributed
to the committee. The Knights of St
Joseph band had been engaged some days
be pressn and the business manager made
the fact known Wednesday, and another
band was engaged by the, committee, and
that also proved failure. The pro-
cession, however, was process
sion all the same and may have
been more suited to the occasion than II
it had been accompanied by the noise OF
the horn and muffle of the drum.
The hour of 2 o'clock found all the seats
in the parquet and balcony occupied
as we'll as those of 1.-THE gallery. The
stage was occupied by the choir of The
First Presbyterian church, which had been
secured for the occasion, and number OF
the leading members of the Grand Army
post. The address of welcome was made
by cost commander, Mr.. NJ. S. Rochelle,
who extended to those present most
hearty welcome. He referred to it being
the freedom day of the nation and most
dear to every soldier.
Colonel NJ, Stewart, chairman Of the
general committee, requested the audience
to rise ond join him in singing that grand
anthem, MY Country, IT'S Of Thee. .
This was followed with prayer by Rev. n
z. Harmon, chaplain Of the Garfield post
The general order by General
John a. Logan establishing memo
rial day Was read in a very accepta'
BILE manner by Comrade j. D. Caldwell
followed blythe singing Of wake the Song
of Jubilee" by the choir. This was fol
| lowed by recitation. Forever and For
ever" by Mrs. r. Steedman Mccain o.
! Toledo. O. She recited in a most credita
BILE manner, and was highly appreciated
Prof H. NJ. Rogers of Washington City
was present, and rendered an Original
song, Tribute to Sheridan" 1t was not
| his first appearance before Wichita audi
ence, and when he stepped forward re-
ceived liberal applause. The audience ex
tended a strong invitation for another
song, and.he sresponded with Papa Va
/ Will You Take for Me?" There were
many moist eyes in the audience when ht
| left the stage.
MEMORIAL GRAFTON.
| Colonel Stewart said it was with great
pleasure he presented to the audience
as orator of the day, the gallant
| soldier and honored citizen. Ex-Governor
! George T. Anthony. The speaker said i
was entirely improbable, in the light O.
history, that any event could be more pro-
/ foundly interesting than the one thai
brought them together. What strange
impulse has touched the human heart thai
should have caused great people to as
semble in the various cities and the wheels
of commerce to stop? What brings US out
on this day? 1t is a question full OF grand
and far-reaching consequence 20 us. Wha
are we here for? What the object of these
| ceremonies TO decorate the graves of thu
dead? 1t is not the result of a sentiment
/ 1t is not the sentiment that gather:
around the father aud mother when deatt
| has carried away one Of their loved ones
! True that is all pervading, but 1t is alto
gether to personal TO be desecrated bysucf
/ public ceremony as this. We come herr
moved by reverence for the acts Of men
! to commemorate the works OF men. II
/ matters not TO rs today who sleeps be
meath the mounds we decorate. The IN
! known grave is az dear to us as any other
| As this is memory day and net forgetful
ness day let US see what we are here for
/ cheers. Please allow me 10 insist that Thu
1 is remberance day and not forgetfulnes
day. Then why are we here. The trutl
is when the good fathers established thi
/ government they builded better thah thel
knew. l firmly believe it was decree o
Almighty God. 1t was not an acciden
that grew up from the race itself. Their
was a certain amount Of false government
/ iuculcated. God builded man and invest
ed him with all wisdom and power q
make him able to govern himself, ant
be who can govern himself can govern
others. There is not week that passe
/ but Won can hear some one on your street.
who wants a more centralized govern
ment. All just powers Of the government