The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-06-09
DECORATION DAY.
Memorial Services at the National Gen.
etery at 6rafton, W. Va.-0ration
of Hon, Geo. c. Sturgiss.

GRAFTON, w. Va, May 30-Ths
National Cemetery for West Virginia
being located in Grafton, an honored
distinction is conferred upon this
town, in making it the burying ground
of the Union soldier, and in the i'm
pressive ceremonies conducted here
to-day, Grafton proved herself wor.
thy of the high trust. The address
OF the Hon. George c. Sturgiss, OF
Morgantown, the orator of the day
was noteworthy for its patriotic ut
teranees.
The occasion is one that always
brings to this place thousands Of
visitors. Representatives were here
from Wheeling and Parkersburg and
other points.
At $50 this morning, Reno Post
of Grafton, assembled in the courl
house, and Joined by the visiting G
A. R., veterans present, marched ovel
to the cemetery for the morning ex
ercises, under the escort of Compan,
c., of the National Guards, com
manded by Captain Burdette. Ar
rived at the cemetery, the military
fired salute of three rounds in hon
or of the dead heroes, who sleep be
meath the sod.
Then with loving reverence flower:
were strewn over the graves, ano
miniature flags representing the star:
and stripes were placed at each sol
diers tombstone. Memorial Dayi
was sung by a chorus of little girls
and America" by the crowd present
The exercises of the Afternoon
were opened with prayer by Rev
Richardson, of the Lutheran church
of this city. Mr.. Sturgiss was ther
presented as the orator of the day
He spoke for nearly two hours, anc
the closest attention was accorded
his mastery address by the larg,
concourse of people present
Referring to the dead, he said
Here they repose in peace. "Aftel
life's fitful dream they sleep well. ;
Under the shade, and in the sunshine
which shimmers upon the little tut,
OF grass and the simple stone which
marks the spot where their dust min
giles again with the soil of that coun
try that with their baptism of blood
they made free indeed, we leave them
to an Immortality of glory. They
need no monument of granite, sky
piercing, or mausoleum of sculptured
or oramented marble, or tablet Of
imperishable brass, to perpetuate the
memory of their splendid deeds, their
heroism and self sacrifice.
Would you see the best evidence
OF glory and worth of the service they
rendered humanity and countryi
Then look around you Behold a
nation of sixty five millions of free
men, with no hope or aspiration apart
from the Union; no slave beneath its
starry banner; peace at home, respect
abroad; sovereign states revolving in
orderly subordination to the nation
without resorting to force
or arms, protecting all, respected by
all; agriculture yielding all her var
led fruits in Righteousness for every
domestic want, with ample surplus
for export to the less favored peoples
of the world forests and mines offer
ing the richest returns for judieious
investment of capital and labor; a
greater traffic at home than any 9th
er people ever enjoyed, and con.
stantly increasing commerce abroad
education d;fused among the masses,
so that illiteracy is steadily decreas-
ing, while high schools, colleges and
universities, mechanical, professional
and technical schools abound; NOR
ais and religion inculcated and rev
erence for law taught.
These are the imperishable monu-
ments reared by the dead, for by a
perpetuated union only could these
things exist, and the sacrifices of the
departed made that union possible