The herald., 1893-05-31
At THE OLD SOLDIERS HOME.
The Old Boys Duly Celebrate
the Occasion.
\ Great Number of Visitors Enjoy
the Ceremonies.
impressive Ceremonies at the Cemetery
ten. McCOok's Address-The
Board of Managers
Start East.

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everyone astir. An air of excitement
and preparation pervaded the whole es-
tablishment. The old soldiers were
anxiously getting ready for the celebra-
tion OF a day which is the one of all the
year to them; day which brings back
the memories of bivouacs and battles
and of the comrades who once marched
shoulder to shoulder with them, but
now are lying peacefully beneath the
sod, sleeping the sleep that knows no
ending. Great interest is manifested in
the memorial exercises by the people
living in the vicinity, because the in
mates make it a point, If possible to
have each succeeding prog ramme OF the
day surpass that of those in the past.
Crowds of people early began to arrive
from Los Angeles, Santa Monica and
other places, until there was large
number present to witness the ceremo-
niee.
At 10 O'Clock process was formed in
front of the home which, headed by the
band, marched to the Home cemetery.
There the services were held under the
auspices of John A. Martin post. They
were very impressive and brought back
to the veterans thoughts of the not far
distant time when they too would be
lying there and these same services held
over them by others.
The old soldiers, their friends and via
itore then strolled around the grounds
and whiled away the time in recounting
stories until 2 O'Clock, when all
adjourned to the dining hall where ex-
ercises OF the day were held. The chair
WAS occupied by Gen. A. McD. McCook
who delivered the address OF welcome
which was as follows:
Comrades Of the Grand Army of the
Republic. members OF the Home for
Disabled Volunteers, ladies and gentle
men, another year has made it's rounds,
and no clear call for us, we assemble in
this beautiful spot on this 30th OF
May, holiday with it's associations Of
such potent meaning to every man,
woman and child of our people who love
their country.
"Our first national holiday represents
the creation of our country and govern
ment, the beginning of our independ-
ence, the commencement of our civil
and religious freedom. The glorious
fourth of July should be celebrated with
laundering artillery at dawn, midday
and sunset; by jubilee meetings, with
day and pyrotechnic displays at night;
with illuminations from the hilltops
down the valleys to the sea, for on that
fourth Of July, 1776, our nation was
born, our glorious flag unfurled in full
significance to the breeze, when old Lib
erty bell, with patriotic peal, declared
freedom to the people of new world.
OF uuI growth as nation f-esa that
period to this will not speak.
The 30th of May is also holiday, and
to my judgment of equal patriotic sig
nifeance to the people OF this country as
the 4th OF July. o.
Upon the 4th of July we celebrate the
creation of the nation; but on the lovely
30th Of May we commemorate the pres
ervation OF our country, it's unity OF
states, of our civil and religious freedom,
and all to us that makes life worth the
living; hence, my comrades, we are not
here to srbitrate but to commemorate,
to give thanks to our own God for His
mercies and bounties towards US as
people.
We are here also to honor the patriots
living, who did their utmost for the
preservation of our nation, and in affec-
tionate memory, with living hands.
strew flowers upon the graves OF those
who have fallen; at the same time in
dulging the prayer OF hope that they may
not have died In vain. Remember,
they have left us for monuments
united country, independence, freedom
and human liberty.
"Newly descended from their high estate,
For them, be sure, the angels watch and walt
Our patriotic sires, who all our freedom gave,
Look down and bless the households OF the
brave,
But, grander still, within this dome of domes,
tod smiles his blessing on our Soldiers
Homes"
Addresses were then made by Hon. S.
NJ. White, Gov. 81. II. Markham, Judge
Wade, Gen. NJ. T.. Franklin, president
of the national home managers, and
others. The intervals between the
speeches were filled in by singing pat
riotic songs, which were entered into
with a zest by all present, and occa-
occasional outbursts of instrumental
music. General McCook's quaint re-
marks and witty saIles as he introduced
the different speakers created great
amusement and applause.
General Franklin spoke in great praise
of the favorable condition in which the
home managers had found the different
institutions they had inspected during
their trip, and especially praised the
management of the one at Santa Monica.
An original poem was reeited by J. L.
Skinner. 1t was very funny and excited
great merriment while being read. The
exercises closed with the singing of
patriotic songs and then the old soldiers
poured out of the hall thoroughly salts
fed that their efforts at celebrating had
been crowned with success, and that the
memory OF Decoration day, 1898, would
long be referred to.as one on which the
inmates of the home fairly outdone
themselves.
The members of the national board of
managers of homes were entertained at
lunch by the governor of the home q
short time before the o'clock exercises
commenced.
The members of the national board of
managers of the home for disabled vol
unteer soldiers, who have been inspect
ing the home at Santa Monica, left for
the east last night. They travel by way
OF San Francisco, and will probably visit
the Milwaukee home and the worlds
fair at Chicago.
General Franklin expressed himself
as being thoroughly satisfied with the
state of affairs existing at Santa Monica
and the improvements being made
there. The members of the party are
Gen. W. B. Franklin, Gen. James Bar
nett, Gen. M. T. Mcmahon and Mai. E.
N. Morrill,, members of the board, and
Col Wa1ter g. Franklin Can w w