The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-31
DECORATION DAY THROUGHOUT UNION.
Deeds Of The Fallen Heroes C0nllnGnlOTatGd
Both North and South.
TIE PRESIDENT IN PHILADELPHIA.
Impressive Services in the Quaker City-John
5. Wise tho orator I'm New York-A Sketch
of the New York Confederate Camp.
Federal Decoration Day Observed
in the South Also-Demon-
strations All Over the
United States.

NEw YORK, May 80 Decoration Day dawned
gloomy, with an ioyercast sky and drizzing
rain. At o'clock the rain ceased. but the
clouds remained, and the streets were wet and
muddy. Despite the unfavorable weather the
veterans turned ont en- masse for the great
parade The sidewalks were thronged with
spectators Of the procession and with people
hurrying to the various places where athletic
sports could be witnessed. Business was en-
tirely suspended. One of the points Of inter-
est 10 the people was General Grants tomb in
Riverside Park. and large number went there
90 witness the very impressive ceremonies
Every military organization of any standing
participated in the parade and ceremonies OF
the day. The column was swelled by con-
tincent of regulars and marines from the
United States war-ships and marine barracks
There were no regular reglmenial bands IN
line owing TO the demand on the part
of the musical union for an increase
OF from Sc to : per day Cor the services OK
each musician The demand was refused,
and only drums and flies employed. The q.
A. r. posts however, engaged many bands al
the figures demanded
THE TROOPS REVIEWED.
The parade was reviewed ut the Central
Park plaza by Mayor Grant and other prOml~
nent officials. After the parade was dismissed
the L. S. Grant Post proceeded to
Riverside Park and held impressive cere-
monies at the tomb During the exercise at
General Grants tomb minute guns We're fired
from a United States man-O -Of-War anchored III
the Hldson opposite. The decorations about
the grave of the great commander We're un-
usually elaborate Among them was mag
nifceut wreath Of red and white roses ana
violets from the President of the United
States Mrs. Grant and Mrs. SaTt0us. accom-
panied by Mrs. SartOris children, arrived on
the ground before I O'Clock and remained for
some time
THE EXERCISES BEGIN.
At O'Clock the services were begun by the
audience and the mill airy band uniting IN the
hymn, Nearer. My God, TO Thee after which
Commander Mcdonald, of the y :.
Grant Post, made a brief opening address,
which was followed by the singing of In
Memoriam. and PRAYER by Rev. T. =. Frost
After the recitation of an original poem by
Edward II. Shannon. officer of the day, John
j. Noonan scattered the memorial flowers
about the tomb of General Grant, according
u the ritual of the Grand ArmyO the bepuD-
lie
The orator of the day, Hon. John S. Wise,
then spoke as follows:
Commander and Comrades. Ladies and
Gentlemen: As the Eastern worsmpper be-
fore be enters the precincts of q holy place.
they profane it with their grossness, so should
we leave behind us the passOnsan preludlces
of our daily lives as We approach the
tombs of the mighty dead OF our KepuD-
lie. These are tine shrnes OF American
uatriOtism At them. above gll other places,
are We moved 10 reflection ON the blessings
we enjoy. and inspired to reverence and
patriotism towards the Government under
which We live.
our system is so free from all form and
ceremonial about the powers that he that
reverence for our representatives I'D oince has
little place in our hearts, and the homage of
other people 10 their rulers Ohends our sense
OF equality or amuses Us as syc0phanuc.
The speaker then paid a lengthy and glow
ing tribute to General Grant and ms great
ness, and continued:
GRANT AND LET.
We come rejoicing at an opportunity u
testify our respect for the memory OF our
great countryman. We have II is true IN
many "a Southern cemetery an army OF dead
comrades 20 whose memory and 70 whose
valOr We delight 10 pay the the tnbute OI ioY-
ing hearts. In a quiet chapel, under the
shadow of the Blue Ridge, sleeps one who, IN
davs zone by was to our love. 10 Ouf hope
and To our idea of patriotic duty all
that Grant represents 10 You. Yet our
hearts are large enough for boin, and
when Grant sought them be mover asked us
- forget our dead. Our voluntary presence
mere 10 NOnOr iIt iItluhll 'l Nf-t44t 4ilNetAlo '
f.rgetfulness of our dead comradc-. If we
came as recreants TO them his ghost would
heckon rs away On many a well-contested
field Grant and Lee and those vino followed
them came to know each othes well and to
feel for each other the respect which every
brave man euterfains for an adversary who
has the courage of his convictions. All that
Grant coutended for was established. All
that Lee maintained failed of accomplish
ment. Every sensible citizen of this kepuD-
he now acouiesccs cheeriuly IN the result.
It's certain that many thousands Of the
Confederate veterans are to-day as affection
atelv loval 10 the Federal Government as If
the lamentable strife had never been. We
come as men who feel that time La5 taught all !
citizens of this Republic that they honol |
themselves in hOnoring this great American. |
Passion las subsided sufficiently 20 let us see
him as he was greater thanany part our !
divided country patriot whose fame be-
longs TO all hls lellow-citizens.
AS 10 our own beloved conmander, II may !
be that the time Will never come when men !
who sustained the Union cause can reconcile It /
o. their sense of LOYALTY TO DO public honor 10 |
DIS memory. Far be it from ne TO urge that /
conr-e upon you.
We who followed him and loved him. seek
Not 30 share our yeneration for his memory !
with any one who is unwilling; II may be |
tat his name and fame will be lett 10 us as !
al our own.