The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-27
The Old Cemateru

Editor Morning Ne,0s: In passing by
the old cemetery day or two since. saw
that Mayor McDonough is having il at
tended to. aud it presents something like
neat and healthful appearance. The GEM
e:ery can he made one Of the most attract
i've places in the city, for independent of
the sentiment and historic memories that
linger, and will ever linger, around
that hallowed spot, it can be made
place OF beauty aud attractive
ness. Some may sneer at sentiment,
but it is the distinguishing mark in mans
mental makeup which declares that he is
something more than au animal; that there
is that something in him which is akin to a
higher nature than the mere material man.
The man who ranks the almighty" dollar
above sentiment or feeling would sell the
bones OF those to whom he owes his ex-
istence and laugh at thu sauctity OF a ceme-
terry. Monuments are but the silent tongues
which speak for those who erected them
over the dust of those t-ey loved aud hon
oFed In life. An historical spot is ever in
terestlng, especially where sleep those who
have left the impress Of their works, labor,
thoughts or deeds to their children; and
the old cemetery is full of suoh.
Inc tauIt-dnder, oC chronic grumbler,
who IS ever commenting on the shOrtcom-
lngs OF others, is very much Of a fool if he
cannot suggest something better or give to
mo public something better than mere
words. Your writer has suggestion then
TO make il regard TO the old cemetery:
!. Lay it of in walks and plant trees, such
as the umbrella china. lockwood, redbud,
ana few palmettos. The wild olives which
are there now is we'll enough. 2. Ii the
city council does not feel disposed to take
hold OK the matter and make the place a
thing of beauty, then invite some florist to
take it in hand, and let him make OF it
garden, preserve the graves and
let him sell flowers for the
pains he takes to beautify the
place. No one, presume, would object to
sec flowers growing over the graves now
neglected. 3. Take down the wall to the
hight OF three or four feet. so that it can be
seen into at all times. il the cemetery is at
oil improved. Or put around it the railing
that now surrounds the pars, for our park
needs at this time no such fence as there
are no COWS, hogs or horses loose as in days
past.
tstrikes me- no wever, that florist would
cheerfully take the place, fit it up with
taste, and, being in the heart Of the city,
he could make of it garden In
which he could sell flowers, combiu-
ing all in one, taste, beauty, sentl-
ment, health and business. l throw
out the ideas for what they are worth. /
am not finding fault, but suggesting what
should be done. Do something with the old
cemetery to make il an attractive spot;
make it health spot in the heart OF the
city, for trees. flowers, shrubbery and grass
are all health giving in their nature.
Let the city council or Christ church take
some action in the matter; for neglect, is
little short of crime to the dead, whose
graves should be pilgrims shrines, the
Meccas of the mind :" There sleep men and
women who walked the streets Of Savannah
100 years ago, even down to the year 1852.
Their children, and grandchildren aud
great grandchildren can lie found all over
the state, yea, all over the south, and the
city Of Savannah is full Of their posterity.
r. ID. o.