Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-08
THE SOLDIERS DAY.
0ld-Time Prophecies That 1t Would
Lose Its Significance.
DEMONSTRATIONS In PITTSBURG.
The Part Taken by the Ladies in the
Erection of the Monument,
STORIES OF WOMEN OF The WAR
WRITTEN FOB THE p1sPArcu1

WRITTEN FOR THE D1sPArcH,1
remember, when Memorial Day was first
instituted, hearing men in Pittsburg declare
that in ten years it would have lost all its
significance, that before that time had
passed there would be no great amount of
mourning in anybody's heart for the soldiers
who were dead. And heard others protest
that the fixed obse nv ance of such day was
wrong in principle and in policy. It was
not well, they urged, TO deliberately seek to
perpetuate the war feeling. heard more
than one old soldier reason in that way in
those early days.
Well, more than ten years have passed,
and Memorial Day seems to have no less .
place in peoples thoughts and affections
than at first. There may be less of public
demonstration in certain quarters, but not
less of general and thoughtful observance.
And those who looked with apprehension TO
the future have had their fears proved
groundless. North and South the honors
paid to tne dead soldiers have served rather
to promote harmony than to perpetuate en-
nifty. For somehow, in both sections, the
Soldier feeling" is very different thing
from the 'war feeling" The one lives and
the other dies; and that seems well.
SOME OLD DEMONSTRATIONS.
What old Pittsburger will ever forget the
earliest demonstrations there? Some of them
were very imposing and wonderfully impress
i've. The whole community seemed filled
with earnest enthusiasm, and intent on CIV
ing the utmost expression to it. 1t was
notable, in this time of peace SO closely fol-
lowing the time OF war, that the women were
foremost h0unr 10 fha
as they had been foremost in ministering to
the living soldiers when they needed the
mlnlstrations OF thought 'ul, practical care
to make them more comfortable.
In this later style of campaigning the
women had the direction of affairs. They
planned the work that was to be done. and
did wonderful amount of 1t themselves.
And every man in position to know the
history of those early events must have an
abiding conviction that women-Plttsburg
women at least-have practical ability and
executive capacity which large portion of
mankind might wish for in vain.
d have thought many, many times in re-
cent years-every time Memorial Day
comes around-ot one of those early Pitts
burg demonstrations which I remember
more vividly than any other. The reason
of that, suppose, is because it was the first
after Memorial Day became an established
anniversary. The ladies of the Executive
Committee had made elaborate plans, and
they carried them out in the most effective
manner, by dint of hard work, long
continued. The people OF the two cities,
and even in the neighhoring county dis
tricts. co-operated with enthusiasm. And
the result was such a day of well-ordered
as one may not hope to see sur
passed many times in the course of any Or
dinary career.
THE GREAT PARADE.
The march to Allegheny Cemetery was
street was crowded with people assembled
there to see the procession. And a process
sion we'll worth seeing it was, too. Soldiers
there were more of them than there are
now, alas-marched in column with the old |
army swing and to the old army tunes. |
And they carried, not the weapons of death. |
but fragrant offerings for those already
lead.
Other soldiers whose marching days had
ended on some battlefield whence they had
come alive but MANNED, were bestowed In
carriages. How many Of them carried
lowers that day? How many of them have
1ad flowers laid above them since?
Carriages, many of them, were filled with
adies; some old, some young; some sad
With memories of recent heartbreak; some
grave with sympathy for the general pain
# loss; all eager to do afectionate honor to
hose dead boys out there. In still other
carriages, and on horseback, were many
citizens of dignity and importance; for this
vas an occasion all men felt it an honor to
participate in. Societies marched or rode.
Delegations OF citizens marched or rode.
The line seemed almost without end.
And every man and woman in it carried
lowers. Flowers were piled into the car
iages with the ladies, and there were wagon
Dads OF flowers forming part of the process
ion, And many of the people on the side
walks were also laden with flowers. These
oined the moving column as it passed; and
o there were more and more people march
ng to the music Of the many bands.
DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT
There were other Memorial Day celebra-
ions almost, il not quite, as fervent and in
piring as this. But the Memorial Day on
Thich the soldiers monument was dedi-
ated saw the climax and elimination of
uch observances. The founding and con-
truction of this monument may also be de-
cribed as womep's enterprise. Women
the purpose of monument to
NC ucdu SOlulGIS Ol Alleg06uy cOuuLy. |
hey formed Monument Association
7hich, with the willing cooperation of the
eople, carried the purpose into effect.
1any men were active and hard working
lembers of the association, but doubt if
hey would have won the success finally
chieved without the active energy OF the
-omen. While on the other hand am Iot
t all sure that the women would not have
onquered success even if the men had kept
ut of the work.
But both worked together, and worked
ard and for long time. The task was not
holiday pastime by any means. Its sue
ess required the utmost efforts of all con-
erned. There must be plenty of money
lised. Part of this came in the form Of
beral subscriptions. A fair was held, and
lie proceeds were nobIy generous. Other
ethods were devised in the active brains
1gaged in the enterprise, and every effort
,sulted in more or less of success. If the
ssociation members were active and ener-
etlc, the people at large were certainly
beral and enthusiastic.
SELECTING THE SITE.
think determining the site of the monu-
ent was a task more difficult than the
Using OF funds for it.. A strong party of
,rnest workers wanted it placed in the Al |