Evening star., 1895-05-30

feceral soldiers rest under southern skies.
in southern graves; many in unknown
graves. And when, on Memorial day in
the south, the graves of our dead are dec
grated, gray-headed confederate veterans
and noble. devoted women stfew1 flowers
oyer the graves of the federal soldiers. II
the human action of the people of this city
in doing honor to the memory Of their old
antagonists is pronounced as desecration
1T would seem to follow that the decora-
ton of federal graves by rebel hands
should be opened to the same criticism.
but no denurciation OF southern people Tor
daring to honor the memory of men who
were once their enemies has met my eyes.
prompt discordant note on occasions of
this sort are rarely found among true men
and brave soldiers. and l have often
thought that II the two great captains who
Virginia had been left to settle the terms OF
peace. each supported by his faithful .ol-
lowers. the country would have had peace
indeed, one honorable alike to victor and
vanquished, and which would have pre-
vented the evils brought about by the poll
tcians. AS 1t is. the south recognizes and
honors the magnanimity of Gen. Grant
toward our great chief. Gen. Lee. and de-
plores as an unmitigated misfortune the as
sassination of Lincoln.
II repeat emphatically that the untimely
death of President Lincoln was regarded
by all thoughtful men Of the south as one
OF the most serious evils which had be-
fallen our section. and venture to say that
my southern associates here present Will
sustain my assertion. We know that dur
ing the war he devoted every energy or
mind and body for a restoration Of the
Union, and that result accomplished, we
felt that his big brain and his KIND heart
would prompt him to deal kindly and leni,
emily with his fellow-citizens Of the SOUTH
Gen. Hampton then spoke Of the causes
which led up to the civil war.
A memorial poem by Major Henry T.
Stanton OF Kentucky was next and the 1T
cray portion of the dedication was closed
with an address by Right Rev. Samuel Fal-
lows, bishop Of the Reformed Episcopal
Church, Chicago, late general OF U. s. vol
unteerS.
The ceremony of consecrating the guns
and placing the floral decorations followed.
and the exercises closed with the firing Of
three volleys over the graves of the dead
by the first regiment, Illinois National
Guard. ending with bugle blare and
TAPS"
Following the set program came the dec
Grafton of the graves Of Union soldiers In
the cemetery by the Confederate ASsocia-
ton assisted by a large number of visiting
ladies from the south. many of them noted
southern Beauties among whom were Gen.
Underwood's daughter. Gen. Longstreet's s
daughter. Gen. Cabell's daughter and many
other celebrated southern women. ,
The G. A. r.. Parade.
After the exercises the guests were en-
tertained at luncheon by the Chicago Club
and reviewed the procession of the G. A. r.
from the balcony of the Auditorium To-
night there will be military ball and re-
ception at the Palmer House.
The display Of flowers on the graves Of
the confederate and federal dead was very
impressive and will long be remembered.
For several days they had been coming
by the carload, six carloads having come
by one railroad alone. an unprecedented
supply. Savannah sent palmettoes, mosses,
wild smilax, magnolia blossoms and laurel
wreaths. New Orleans sent 500 magnolia
blossoms. and other tributes came from
New Orleans and Pensacola. The Charles
ton car contained COO green palmettoes.
l 200 pounds of Carolina moss branches of
cedar and many branches in laurel leaves
interviewer with the letters IS. c." the
work and offerings of the women of the
Daughters of the Confederacy and the La
dies Memorial Association OF Charleston.
Two carloads came from Charleston and
included roses. palmettoes and moss de-
signs by the Ladies' Memorial Association.