Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-31
FrenInr Exercises.

who were expected to attend the clos
ing exercises in the evening, it was de-
| cided about noon to secure the Grand
Opera House, as G. A. r. hall was too
small to accommodate the crowd. The
doors opened at seven o'clock and the
| Opera House filled rapidly. At eight
o'clock, when the exercises began, near
| ly every seat down stairs was taken and
many found seats in the gallery.
Chairman Robertson opened the ex-
ercises aud called upon Chaplain Oscar
Seeley, who read from the Ct. A. r. ritu-
al. Mr.. Robertson then briefly returned
thanks to the organizations which as
sisted in the parade, to the persons who
! contributed flowers, and TO Bishop Kain
for his excellent memorial sermon. The
entire audience then joined in singing
America" Mrs. McCleland presided
at the piano and Miss Lucy Robinson
led the audience.
Mr.. Robertson then introduced the
first orator Of the evening, Capt. B. B.
Dovener, who was received with a
round OF applause. He spoke feelingly
aud eloQuently Of the days celebration.
"If ever there was scene, an occasion,
or a people," he said, that have a
right to sing My Country, tits of Thee,
Sweet Land Of Liberty, il is this great
and free people that have purchased
that liberty at such a great sacrifice,
and preserved it to this age, and hope
will transmit down the flight OF time
to the latest generation" Continuing
he said substantially:
CAPT. DovENER's ADDRESS.
In all nations homage has always been
| paid to those who made patriotic sacrifices
! for their country. What object lessons are
! taught in this land of ours when we reflect
that throughout its length and
breadth great and happy people have
| honored themselves in doing honor 10 those
who made such noble sacrifices IN the days
| of '61-65. The Grand Army to-day is but
/ q handful Of that greater and grander
army than which the wor d never produced,
| and when in their strength they marked in
| defense Of their country aud their country
/ flag. this nation trembled, and the reyer-
berations passed from continent 20 conti-
nent. The survivors Of that sanguinary
struggle are passing away day by day, but
| the sublime patriotism which they display
/ ed Will be transmitted Dy their posterity
through the ages, for all time 70 come.
We can hardly appreciate the flight Of
| time. One-third Of this audience knows
nothing by actual experience OF the wild
delirium OF war; they heard naught OF the
/ resounding Of arms; they know nothing OF
/ the sacrifices Of war, except as they read IL
| ia history, or have Il told 20 them by the
| participants In that great struggle. But
history never can tell all Of the sacrifices
made by the soldiers Of iS6l-65. Never
viii that history be written until every
pang. every heartache, every deed OF valor
has been recounted, until that grand re-
union on the plains Of the everlasting
camping grounds.
There IS another strange thing which can
hardly be appreciated by those who have
grown up In the last quarter OF a century
why there is such a comradeship, such
love and affection, almost surprising that
which blood enkindles, among
THE GRAND ARMY.
You may talk OF fraternal relations, grand
and noble as they are, but this relationship
has CHALLENGED the admiration Of all IL is
the comradeship Of soldiers who have stood
shoulder TO shoulder in the weary march g,
AZ the picket post, and along the. skirmish
line. Aye, to-day there is a bond of love
and affection between these survivors; a
memory that is sweet indeed; a mysterious
y
survivor to every grave, and hillock, where
lies the body of soldier hero Of the days
of '6l to 60 There is something in the or
ganization outside of comradeship. 1t
stands for loyalty, for charity, for benevo-
lence, for this great country, for the en-
forcement of its laws and the perpetuation
Of its free institutions.
What a beautiful sight, on the Both Of
May of each year, when the grateful PEG.
| pie come together TO do honor TO those who
participated in that great struggle. 1t has
a peculiar significance, especially to the
wives and families of veterans. But there
! is one sad thought in connection with the
celebratlon-there is a long row of I'M
| known graves which we cannot decorate.
| There is no monument of granite for them,
| but there is a monument for them in the
hearts of all patriotic citizens, around
which flowers of sentiment bloom In per-
| petual verdure.
Capt Dovener closed with an appeal
to continue the beautiful ceremony Of
decorating soldiers graves after the last
veteran has passed away. A class Of
| school children, under the direction OF
Miss Lucy Robinson sang the "Star
| Spangled Banner" in a manner which
brought forth such liberal applause
from lub duultuCO ludG VIC SndlA ma II
was compelled to ask the auditors to
| desist.
The next speaker introduced was
| Hon. G. Wesley Atkinson, who deliver
| ed an half hour address replete with
patriotic thoughts, which were we'll re-
ceived by the audience. After briefly
! introducing his subject, he gave details
! of the number of men who entered the
war, and the number who returned, as
we'll as those killed in battle and dying
in prison. He said:
MR.. ATKINsoN's ADDRESS
They all went down to honored graves,
and all loyal people of America thank them
/ for having done so. This is one of the les
sons of Decoration Day-a lesson Of what
men will do for principle, a lesson of pa
thence, self sacrifice and love. This flower
/ day teaches the unfaltering love which the
country has for its soldiers.
! They were not professional trained sol
| diers. They were citizen soldiers, and they
I put down the biggest rebellion which any
1 country has a record of-absolutelY so.
! They cut the rebellion in two, and gave US
/ one flag instead Of two, a united country.
] Thank God for the sacrifices these men
made for this great land OF ours. We will
never need standing army IN this country
Of our as long as ours people preserve a rec
| objection Of what the Union soldiers done
in the days Of .'6l TO '65. Is
there a record anywhere for BRAY
cry, and obedience, and devotion, which
SURPRISES that Of these citizen soldiers OF