The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-05-31
THE GREATEST CROWD:
Ever Present in Grafton on Decor
alton Day. -.& '55'
FIFTEEN THOUSAND PEOPLE
Witness tho Veterans Parade and
Attend Memorial Scrviccs.-Col. D.
d. johnson, Of Morsantown, De-
livcrs n Patriotic Addrcss-.O Obscry-
ancc ut Other Points,


GMFroS, W. Va, May 3O.-Dccora-
tion Day in Grafton is always me,nora-
bic, but the occasion this year eclipses
all past records. Tho day is one consc-
Grated to the memory OF the valorous
soldier who sleeps beneath the sod Of
the national cemetery, and it is iitly
observed with inspiring memorial SER
vices. It is day dedicated to the SOL
dier, and shared in common BY hosts of
pleasure seekers. To those who came
to Grafton to see big crowd and rcvel
in a whirl of humanity, attend circuscs,
witness base ball games, and make
merry in thousand ways, the day
proved great success. A number OF
special excursion trains in addition TO
the regular scheduled trains brought
vast crowds OF people, which added to
the hosts who had come in Saturday
and Sunday, gave Grafton n transient
population Of perhaps 1900 or $1,000
people. Such a concentrated mass OF
humanity has never been seen here be-
fore. Tho fair sex had its full quota of
representatives, and tho styles OF dress
displayed were varied from the fashion
able and artistic tailor.maie gown TO
the reckless combination OF dazzling
colors worn by the rustic beauty.
In tho morning circus procession
attracted the attention Of thousands.
s. VETERANS PARADE.
In the afternoon the procession Of
&. a. II. veterans formed on Main
street and marched to the cemetery.
Each succeeding year thins out the
ranks Of old soldiers who took part in
tho great drama OF tho civil war ard
this ycar there were only about $50 men
in line. Tho procession was attended
by the Grafton band of Juveniles, Nor
gantown, Pennington and kingwood
bands. Services at the National Gene.
terry were conducted under the auspices
OF Keno Post, Grafton, assisted by rep
reacntativcs from posts Mt Morcantown
Pennington, Independence, Tunncl!ton,
Albrishtsville, Kingwood and Bridge.
port. After prayer by Rev. d. 4. Ash,
Col. u. u: johnson, Of Morgantown, was
presented to the vast audience, which
listened in wrapt attention to the loyai
and eloquent utteranccs that malc up
his oration. Col. johnson smoke in
part as follows:
COL. JonHsoN's GRAFTON,
COMRADES, LADIES AND -GEyrLENrS !:
stand here as the representative OF
100000 men OF a past generation. We,
tho living representatives OF these pa-
triollc Americans, arc not assembled
here 10 gloat over 4 CONQUEST. Wc
como in spirit OF u united country TO
commemorate tho bravo deeds Of tho
noble dead who sleep in q soldiers
grave. While We draw tho lessons in
splrcd by this memorial day, we live
under tho highest typo OF human
liberty, guaranteed by tho American
constitution, preserved by tho loyalty
and genius OF the American pcoplo:
and, while feeling that security, we
must not forget that eternal vigilance
is the price OF liberty; that priceless
liberty comes TO US unimpaircd uiter tho
ordea! Of the awful civil war which cost
the world precious blood.
o WORTH THE PRICE.
Was tho country worth tho sacrifice ?
Yes, thousand limos yea. 1t was won
Mt terrible price, but wo made tho
purchase and got, value received M
hundred fold. Tho strife IL hushcd
now, tho grave has closed over all Bit.
ternesa and wo aro q united nation,
with ono flag, ono dc:tiny. Lot tho
blue and gray sleep in undis,urbel
slumber. They fought great Nght,
We OF tho blue wore successful and
were guided to victory by M over ruling
providence that watches over tho
destinios Of mankind. Wo meet hero
not only 10 pay homage to the heroes,
but 10 teach The rising generation tho
lessons their lives inspire. licforo wc
depart from this consccrased ground
let III gather around tho graves OF these
sinmbcrlng hcroos mud on this sacred
eoil rcnow our pledges Of devotion for
principles for which tlioy gave up their
lives. and lot us VOW eternal uileclauco
to tho constitution and tho union.
a cESrESANIAE VETERAN,
Al tho conclusion of the exercises,
Conlralc Tom AlIen, OF Elcminpton
post, was presented 10 The audionce rs
the rnniennriun veteran. "Unclc Tom"
Is l0l ycara old aud has served two