The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-05-31

Special DiSpaich TO he lntclliqencsr.
GRAFTON, W. Va, May 3O.-The Na.
tional Cemetery for Wost Virginia
being located In Grafton, an honorcd
distinction ia conferred upon this town,
in making II the burying ground OF the
Union soldicr, and In the impressive
ceremonies conducted hero today,
Grafton proved herself worthy OF tho
high trust. Tho address OF tho Hon.
George G. Sturgiss OF Morgantown, tho
orator OF the day. was noteworthy for
its patriotic uttcrancc,.
Tho occasion 10 one that always briupa
to this place thousands oi visi.o rs,
Representatives we're here from Whecl.
ing and Parkersburg and other points
At $3.50 this morning, Reno Post, OF
Grafton, assem- blod in tho court house,
and joined by the Waiting &. A. R.,
veterans present, marched over TO tho
cemetery for tho morning exercises, un.
der the escort OF Company G, Of tho
National Guards, commanded by Cap
tain Burdettc. Arrived at the cemetery,
the military fired salute OF thrco
rounds In honor OF the dead heroes,
who sleep beneath the sod
Then with loving reverence flowers
were strown over the graves, and minia.
i. ture flags representing the stars and
stripes were placed ut each soldlers
tombstone. Memorial Day" was sung bv
chorus OF littlo Girla, and "Amorlca"
by the crowd present.
The exercises Of the afternoon wero
opened with prayer by Rev. Richardson,
OF the Lutheran church, OF this city.
Mr.. Sturelsa was then presented as tho
orator OF tho day. Ee spoke ior nearly
two hours. and tho closest attention was
accorded hia mastery address by tho
large concourso OF people present lie
spoke substantially as follows:
MR. sruRGlss' ADDREss
SOLDIERS AND Fellow CrTrzEys:-
Whom in the fullncss OF time, humanity
had tcstod tho weakness and insult.
tlciencies, tho tyrannies and injustice.
and tho follias and crimea OF crowna
and kingdoms. OF aristocracies undtem-
pires, OF military dcpotisms, and quasi.
republica. In all OF which, class privi-
loges, orders and cast prevailed and
suppressed tho efforts, or burdened
with insupportablo burdens tho great
mass OF tho governed, and in which the
prevailing idea ran mingled with every
thread OF warp and wool, that the many
were to be toilors for tho fow, that gov
crnments we're instituted Tor tho benotlt
OF the rulers and not for the people;
when the utter folly and untruth OF all
this had boon 90 demonstrated sha. nil
history and experience proclaimed it,
and all men roalzcd 1t, and the lcrmont
OF discontent pcrvadcd all classes, then
Providence, had prepared, yet yelled in
the west, a mighty continent. virgin in
soil and forest, OF most genial though
varied climate, OF bcalthful air and
purest water, with mountain, vale and
plains, picturesque and plea,ing to tho
oye, with richest resources OF minerals,
most useful and most precious, with
rivers, lakes and harbors, all far Hur-
passing in richness, variety and in
grandeur tho widest dreams OF any
earthly Utopia, withdrew the veil, and
threw wido open the doors OF this para.
disc, and invited tho oppressed of all
nations and people TO an asylum on
these favored shores.
THEIR PRICELESS OFFERING.
And now after tho lapse OF loss than
dozen decades. but with the expert.
ment no longer in doubt, made wise by
experience, chasteued by atlliction, pur-
iicd BY the fires of war, relieved Of
slavery OF every sort, and consolidated
and strong and great through tho
uatriolic sacrifices OF her sons, wo
assemblo in this mountain valley, in
the puro air OF this May day, as DO
Z, countless thousands OF our fellow
countrymon to do loving reverence to
tho dead who counted il the highest
privilege to offer their lives sacrifice
ior such land and such government.
Consider briefly tho character and
priceless value OF tho offering they
made, and then attempt to measure by
/, the jncstimable value OF that which
vas bought and preserved by such an
oblo.iou Of lives and treasure. A little
cloud. at first no larger than mans
hand. and which tew supposed could
rrow into storm cloud, slowly spread
over our political sky, obscuring the
s,,n OF reason, accompanied with nut.
terinys Of ambition, discomfort and
treason, I'LL WILL aHpaiiaS euauo"i''
tho storm OF war burst upon q peaceful
land all too l!ttlo prepared for such n
calamity, Men doubted II it could be
possible .ha, we wero to re.enact the
tragedies OF past ages; il the latter part
Of tho Ninoteonth century OF tho Chris
,ian ora in this most enlightened land,
woy TO behold tho horrors OF a civil war,
n most unnatural war between bro.horss,
and With batod breath and paid check
the nowa OF tho first gun fired at Fort
Snmn,er wus received. 1t seemed a
horrid nightmare. Men went abou,
thnir business in q dazed and mechani.
cnl way. women gathered in groups and
consulted iu whispers. Du. tho reaction
soon came, rs tho half stunned g'atsa.
tor recoyers from the shock OF tho first
sudden attack OF his adversary, aud
with tense muscles all set for the strnr-
',a that mus. soon cnd in victory or de-
tou, so the people rallied quickly when
thcv understood tho full magnitude
nnG import OF that act of treason.
THE TRAGEDY OF WAR.
Thcn was seen euch spectacle as the
void Ind mover before witnessed.