St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-05-31

The happiest and most beautiful aftermath
of the War of the Rebellion is the observance
of Memorial day. The tender sympathy for
the memory of their dead comrades, as ex-
hibited by the living veterans in decorating
their graves, is a touching though sad spec
: taele. The acres that have been dedicated
by the hand of man to God and sad mem
cries were thronged yesterday afternoon, not
only by those whose heroes lie buried there,
but the feeling of patriotism has permeated
the ranks of eve class and creed. and it is
no eXaggeration to say that fully two-thirds
of the population of ST. Paul was. present at
honor of the day.
Memorial day is now being observed by
nearly every one whose loved ones lie buried
beneath the greensward. Fathers and
mothers lay blossoms. wet with thetears of
broken hearts on the graves of their little
ones While many a widow stands bowed in
grief over what i'll life was her hearts idol.
Brothers and sisters join their orphaned
hands III silent prayer over the spot that
marks to them all that remains of their early
guide and protector through the stormy path
of life and in some places whole families
could be seen surrounding green grass plat
honorihg the memory of their dead.
kaS
The exercises at Oakland yesterday were
very impressive. but the crowds were so
large that it was almost impossible 10 get
close enough TO the stand to hear the speak
ers or catch the music. IN addition to this
unavoidable drawback there was a lament
able display of levity by some of the younger
people present on the outskirts of the assem-
blage. This was particularly true of several
groups of young ladies. who seemed to have
forgotten the fact that they were occupants
of a cemetery and in the presence of the
dead. They kept up, a ceaseless chatter among
themselves which may have beer very enter
tanning to them but which was highly inap-
propriate and very annoying to those whose
hearts we've sad with the recollections of
their lost ones, as well as to the veterans who
were paying true and tender tribute to their
comrades.
Another feature of Memorial day that
shows the gratitude of America to its fallen
defenders is the placing of small, though
exceedingly neat, maidstone over the grave
of every soldier-al are alike for rich and
poor, and bear the name of him who lies
buried there, besides the date of death and
regiment in which he served his country.
Every cemetery has its soldiers plot, where
those are buried who die in poor circum-
stances by the G. A. R., and it is an inspir-
ing sight to see those almost unknown graves
each marked with a tombstone aud decorated
by wreath and bunch of flowers.
If it were not for this wise provision of
the government many a grave would remain
unmarked, and many veteran would lie
uuhonored, for in many instances cruel pow
erty has laid hands on those who remained.
and they are unable to give to him who gave
up his life that theirs might be spared. the
recognition which he Iobly earned, and
which he SO we'll deserves.
One of the sights at the cemetery that
seemed to make your heart soften and The
tears, come to your eyes was that of the white
haired old soldiers who stood there in blue
uniforms bent and wrinkled with age, but
around whom there seemed to be cast a halo
OF glory that neither time nor age can dim.
As one would step up to another and grasp
his hand in a cordial shake yon could al
most see the bond of friendship that was
wrought and welded together OH the battle
field. and can be Iiven asunder only by
death. Standing there in the bright sunshine
of beautiful May day, they presented a
picture OF the noblest men of any nation
they had fought for the liberty of mankind
r x
The decorations on many of the graves
were very beautiful and some of the floral
tributes must have taxed the capacity of St.
Paurs greenhouses to their utmost. WreathS,
crosses and bouquets of the most mammoth
proportions were scattered in the most lavish
prbfusion. and are a sure Indication that the
memory of our dead soldiers win be cher
ished for ages to come and never know a
Wa;e.
Tho Sons of Veterans and Woman's Relief
Corps were out in force and made a very
pleasing appearance The old-tmers seemed
to enjoy it. and it made many OF them happy
to think that after they were gone they could
peaueath the holding of camp fires and their
memory to such able heirs, who would never
allow them to die out.
The street car service of Memorial day was
exceedingly poor, and many widow and
orphan had to walk ID the different GENE
teries in order to honor their dead. 1t was
absolutely impossible to get on car for over
one hour at any of the prominent corners i'll
the city OH any line that led 10 the toinbs.
Coming home ii is certainl. a fact hat over
oiIe-third IF those who weat out were com
pelicd to walk mex