The National tribune., 1892-06-02
MEMORIAL DAY
Its General Observance Throughout
the Country.
Ceremonies at Grants Tomb and a6 the
National Capital - President Harrison
Speaks at Rochester, n. Y.

May 30 1892, will lever be remembered in the
history of Rochester, NY. The city was never
before SO crowded, and 50 distinguished com.
pany was never entertained by its citizens. Both
public and private business was entirely sus-
pended, everybody taking holiday. 1t ia
roughly estimated that $50, 600 persons took an
| active part in the various demonstrations, OF
which number fully 900 came from the sur
rounding country. President Harrison was en-
Enthusiastically received by everybody, and was
| compelled to acknowledge almost continuous
cheering. The day was delightful. the weather
being bright and warm.
The feature of the day was the dedication of
the handsome monument in Washington
| Square, raised in honor Of the soldiers and sail-
ors of Monroe County who died in defense Of
their country. The program consisted OF q
trip to Ontario Park where President Harri-
son and party break tasted. and o publ ic recep-
tion at Powers Hotel.
The exercises at the unwilling Of the monu-
ment were preceded by a review in which
some 5000 persons, formed into organizations,
| participated. Tho first division was comp posed
entirely of veterans Of the Grand Army Posts
and kindred organizations. The President.
| Gov. Flower, and other distinguished guests
| followed in carriages. The exercises at the
park were of a most imposing character. inter-
spersed by music by the bands The Grafton was
delivered by Mr.. Hill, President of the Roch-
H. Lowe. President Harrison and Gov.
Flower each made an address. feature OF
the occasion was the singing which was inter-
spersed throughout the ceremonies, which was
furnished by chorus of 100 voices. The Presi-
dent left Rochester after dinner for Washing.
ton.
In New York City sharp shower fell at 9
o'clock, the hour fred for IT,. start of the
parade, but 1t had no great effect on the army
of men drawn up in line at the Plaza, Central
Park, waiting for the starting signal
The Regular troops headed the procession,
after which followed the National Guard, after
which came tho Naval reserve artillery, followed
by Grand Army Posts in nine divisions, with
the Old Guard as Guard of Honor. Thousands
of people watched the parade Is 1t marched
through the streets. At the statues of Lin
coin, Washington, Farragut and Seward colOrs
were dropped and drums sauted. After the
parade the GAR Posts proceeded to the vari-
Gus cemeteries. where graves of comrades were
decked with flowers. At 3 o'clock p. m. special
services were held at the tomb of Gen. q. s.
Grant at River Side Park, under the auspices
of Grant Post, GAR, of Brooklyn. Gen.
Horace Porter delivered an Introductory ad-
dress, the orator Of the day being Col. Mar
shall OF Baltimore, who was member OF Gen.
X. E. Lees staff. 1t was announced that the
fund for the Grant monument was now COM
pleted, at the tomb. which was greeted with
loud and prolonged cheering.
Mr.. Robert P. Porter, Superintendent Of the
Census, delivered the Grafton at Woodland
Cemetery, Philadelphia, under the auspices of
Saunders Post, 81. and called attention to the
fact that for the first time the Government had
caused an enumeration of veterans and their
widows. According to this enumeration there
are 1909, 537 survivors of the war, showing that
more than half of those who enlisted during the
war had Joined the silent majority. Carrying
out the calculation year by year, he estimated
that but 293 out of the host which composed the
Union army would be able to answer rol-call
on Memorial Day, 1910.
At Boston, Mass, the day was generally
Observed but most of the decoration of the
graves Of the soldier dead was done by COM
served among the veterans by Reunions and
Memorial services. Among the latter were
the exercises at Harvard College in memory
of the men of Harvard who fell in the war.
At Brooklyn, N. Y, the parade was inpos
ing, and it was reviewed by the Secretary Of
the Navy Tracy and Con. Henry w. Slo-
cum. The GAR. Posts when dismissed Wis.,
tied the various cemeteries, and strewed
flowers upon the graves of comrades who
have gone before.
The day at Cincinnati, O., had no unusual
feature. There was parade through the
streets to the depot of Grand Army Posts,
accompanied by two Independent military com.
panies and Sons of Veterans. All went by
rail to Spring Grove Cemetery, where the
Grand Army ritual was performed, addresses
delivered and the graves of veterans strewed
with flowers
In every town in West Virginia where there
is Grand Army Post the day was fttingly
observed. At Wheeling the celebration was
on grand scale. At Grafton. where the only
National Cemetery In the State is located,
1900 people participated, and there was a
great parade. Commissioner Of Internal Rev.
enue Mason and other distinguished guests
were present. Col. D. D. johnson delivered
the Grafton.
The services on the battlefield of Gettysburg
were marred by rain, but there was great
crowd of people present The graves were
decorated, and the exercises were held in the
courthouse because Of the rain.
Phil Kearny Post. of Richmond, Va, OBJ
served the day by visiting City Point and deco
rating the graves of their coL.ades, while the
LIST battalion Of cavalry (c0lored) performed
similar ceremony at the Union Cemetery at
Richmond. 1t was noticeable fact that there
were no flags on the Capitol building although
the Confederates unvaiied a statute to Gen. A.
p. Hill in Richmond. At Hampton 1900 old
veterans of the Homo decorated the 5000
graves Of their comrades buried in the National
Cemetery there. Services were held at Ma
tional Cemetery at Fredericksburg, Capt. W.
FL. Michael delivering the address. colOred
man from Washington was shot by q police
man and instantly killed
Elk President Rutherford B. Hayes delivered
the address at Columbus, O., to largo assem-
blage of veterans and citizens, after which the
graves of comrades were strewn with flowers
At Washington tho day was observed by
every body, the Departments and Congress be-
ing closed. as were the business houses of the
city. The Grand Army Posts assembled in
front of GAR. Hall and paradsd to George
town, where the parade was dismissed. At
Arlington National Cemetery the ceremonies
were imposing The graves Of Gems Sheridan
and Beiknap and Admiral Porter were hand.
somely decorated. Potomac Association of
Naval Veterans placed . full-riggsd ship, made
of immortellss, inscribed " To Q shipmate." on |
Admiral Porter's grave. The ceremonies were
conducted by Department Commander Dins-
moro, and Gen. d. Il. Hastings delivered the
grafton. The Woman's Relief Corps decorated
the thousands of graves in an elaborate man.
ner.
At the Congressional Cemetery the services
were conducted by Junior Vice. Department |
Commander Nathan Bekford, and addresses
were delivered by Senator Gallinger, of Now
Hampshire, and Representative Scott of Hi. |
nois. Comrade d. C. Sprague read an original |
poem which was dedicated to Gen. Rosecrans. |
The services at the Soldiers Home Cemetery |
were conducted by Senior Vice Department |
Commander, John McElroy, who introduced |
Gen. Bussey, Assistant Secretary of the In |
terror, who deliveredaan eloquent address. |
Comrade A. S. Tabor, of Rawlins Post, read an |
original poem. and the. exercises were inter. |
.paI 4,