Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-31
THE PRAYER AND GRAFTON.
Dr.. HOSe Offers The Invocation and Rev.
Nh. StFinSiellOW Makes the Address.
FIGHT OVER THE CONSTITUTION.
Southern Soldiers Went 10 war
Tint They Might Get Their Rights.
An Imposing Parade-Many Chill
dren I'm Line-Othcr Details.

most suspicious that the honored organi-
cation has ever conducted. and the crowd
participating was one Of the largest ever
assembled In Hollywood.
The weather was frightful-no other
term properly expresses the Intense heat
which prevalled-but thousands OF peo-
ple-men. women, and children-turned
out 20 do honor to the dead heroes who
sleep on Gettysburg Hin.
The beautiful cemetery was more Ike
a fairy scene than anything else. Its UNI
brageous trees furnished protection from
the suns rays for hundreds who were
there to witness the exercises, and We're
not able to get near enough to the speak
ers' stand to hear what was being said.
A SPLENDID PARADE.
The parade was imposing and pic
turesque. The veterans Of Lee ana
Pickett camps and those from the Sol
diers' Home, the Sons Of Veterans the
First Virginia Regiment. under comIoahl
of Colonel Henry G. Jones; the kichmolu
IIght-Infantry Blues, commanded Dy
Major Sol Cutchins; the Richmond How
tiers, under command Of Captain Hutche-
son: the Henrico Light-Dragoons' cap
tain J. W. Lockwood. IN command; IN D.;
Stuart Horse Guard under COM
mand OF Captain F.. j. Euker; the
ladies' Of the Hollywood. the Oakwood'
and the Hebrew Memorial associations,
and the children's brigade. commanded
by Sergeant-Major -. Smith Redtord'
were in line. Then there were the kesl-
mental Band, the band OF the Blues ana
that OF the HoWitzers. These musical or
eanlzations discoursed inspiring strains,
and added greatly to the pleasure anu
imprassiveness Of the occasion.
The column moved from the corner or
Firth and franklin streets about o'p
O'Clock. The turnout Of veterans was
unusually large and added much TO the
significance OF the Observance. The men
I'M gray from the Soldiers Home were
taken 10 the cemetery In spring wagons
bur the other veterans walked. and pore
No well under the long and fatiguing jour
ney.
Naior-General Thomas A. Brander was
chief marshal, and he filled that position
with becoming dignity and care Not a
hitch or an accident Of any kind occurred
along the crowded streets or In the
cemetery grounds.
Colonel r. l.. Maury rode at the head OF
the veterans and the ladies'. He wore ms
Old Confederate coat and appeared every
inch a soldier.
Brigadier-General A. l.. Phillips was in
command Of the troops, and his fun stan
rode with him. The platoon OF police
which headed the parade was under the
command OF Captain +. F. Hulce.
HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN.
The children's brigade was, OF course
the most interesting feature Of the parade
About 500 juveniles, ranging In years
from seven TO thirteen, marched with tht
soldiers and veterans. and, considering
the oppressive heat and the long walk, they
stood the tramp with remarkable foru
tuds and endurance Many Of the little
ones carried bouquets VI flowers, whicf
were placed upon the graves Of the Con
federate soldiers. The children behaved
themselves In d most commendable man
ner. and won the admiration Of the large
concourse Of spectators.
The Richmond Light-Infantry Blues
never showed of to better advantage
They wore their hill-dress coats, white
duck trousers. and their tall-plumed he'll
NETS. while the Henrico Light-Dragoons
appeared in their new blue caps. which
have lust been adopted by the United
Stats army. to go into use January lst
The march 10 Hollywood was out Frank
lin street and down Cherry. These tho
roughfares were thronged with people
Along the line the soldier lads were greet
"a with cheers. and not few were tossed
flowers. The arrangements on the
grounds were admirable. lce-water was
abundant. and the weary and warm sol
diers. veterans, ladies. and children found
II 4 source OF much comfort 10 them. The
companies stacked arms just north OF
the speakers stand, while the veterans
were drawn up into line just 10 the east
Of that structure. The ladies were given
a position OF honor on the grandstand
PRAYER BY DIR. HOGE.
When the large crowd had gotten com
fortably stationed for the exercises Rev
DR.. Moses ID. Hoge offered a most devoul
and fervent prayer. His Invocation was
as follows:
O. God. most high. most holy, mos
mercful. with humble reverence we wor
shin Thee. our life is but a vapor; Thou
lvest and reignest ev7rmore. We spend
orr wears as A tale that ~ told, IRON
everlasting to everlasting Thou art Hod
With hearts subdued by the tender
offices Of this hour, and by the hallowe'
m mories OF the past. we come TO oftei
Thee our reverential homage ana TO I'M
plore the help OF Thy grace
The revolution of another year ha'
brought us once more 10 this place en-
drared 10 US by many sacred assocla
tions. and TO this cOmmemoratlon-day' -
full Of hallowed TecOllections.
Reneath the clear and tranquil skies
bending over US like the hollow or my
protecting hand. we come TO thank Ihe'
for the good examples Of all who in tn'
hour of our Commonwealth Creates
peril. consecrated themselves 70 the nam
tenance OF truth. justice. and freedom
and TO perpetuate the memories or al
who fell in the defence Of principles
dearer to them than life.
We enshrine them In our hearts; W
bedew their graves with our tears W.
cover them with the flowers which remin'
us OF the resurrection Of the Just ana
the land where eternal summer reigns.
We invoke Thy blessing on the assocla
ton to whose pious care the graves OF on
sons and brothers are entrusted ana w
thank Thee for all Thy servants nav
accomplished in protecting and beautliy
ing the place where the dust OF our De
loved dead has found its repose.
We implore Thy benedction on the GU
zen-soldiers who stand In reverentia
array around US. Make them good sol
diers OF the Cross. and under the com
mand OF the great Captain OF SaINauoi
NAV they obtain the victory over al
enemies and be numbered at last among
the crowned and glorifed.
Tenderly we commit 10 Thy guardlai
care oh. Shepherd OF Israel, the muIu
;ude OF children participating IN thes'
solemnities. Lead them into the greer
nasttIres and beside the still waters
Thv grace. and may goodness and mere
follow them untn thy finally come L
dwell in the House OF their Father tor
ever.
Almighty God. bestow heavenly bene
dictjon on the vast assembly now throhs
ing this silent country, and In the pIahl
tude OF Thy mercy grant that all may .
partake OF Thy grace as TO be prepare
! FOR a life OF usefulness. a deatn OF peace
! and an immortality Of blessednessi an
10 God. most high. Father. SON an
Holy Ghost. We VIII ascribe all glory
forever. Amen.
| INTRODUCED by THE GONEkNOi
DIR. Hoge. having concluded his prayer
| Governor O'Ferrall introduced the orato
OF the day. Rev. Frank Stringfellow, o
Nelson county The Governor referre
feelingly and eIoquently to the nobl
work OF caring for the graves and pei
petuatlng the memory OF southern heroes
| lie smoke OF the valor OF Virginia's me
and OF the splendid qualities OF her VIC
I men, and then, IN a pretty ana apprc
! priate tribute 10 MIR. Stringfellow's seryic
| In behalf OF the Confederacy. presente
| him TO the assemblage
Mr.. stringfeliow's Grafton.
Rev. Mr.. strIngfellow began his address
by thanking the ladies' for the honor the