The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-08

count 1t Is perhaps no great marvel that
as the town clock was striking the hour
Of three yesterday afternoon Chief Mar.
shall, Captain Wingfeld Griffin, had the
Decoration Day procession on the way
co East Hill Cemetery. Owing to
various causes, principally that the
Machine Works were at work Yesterday.
the excellent band of that great hive of
industry was unable to be present. but
the Salem band came to the rescue
and took Its place at the head of the
procession, followed by Watts Camp Of
Confederate Veterans under command
OF Lieutenant Colonel N. b. Johnston.
few old soldiers marched with the
camp and then came the Odd Fellows.
embracing members of Salem, Roanoke
and Elliston lodges, in charge Of Frank
Viii teecsrver, q member of the three
link brotherhood and an ex officer in
the United States cavalry. Next to the
Odd Fellows were the JEFF Davis Rifles,
under command OF Lieut.. L. A. John.
SOD, and preceded by their excellent
drum corps. On this occasion the
Rifles carried in their midst O large
United States flag. One reel OF the
Salem fire company, decked with flags
aud drawn by members of the company
In uniform, followed the military and
then came carriages
The first contained Messrs Pugh
and Fitzgerald. Rev. Or. Taylor and
Mr.. James Chalmers; the next, Mayor
Younger, OF Salem; Mayor Jones, OF
Roanoke; Col. j. e. Porter, e. A. R.
commander of Virginia and North
Carolina, and Gen. A. e Sholes, G. A.
K. past commander of Georgia. More
guests and the committee occupied
other carriages Next in line were
several hundred school children carry
ing flowers-with Superintendent
Stearnes and Prof. Sheppe as their
marshsls, whilst the blue uniforms of
the Baptist Orphanage children were
observed following, and then with white
aprons care the members Of Taylor
Lodge, No. 90 Several wagons containing
flowers and long line of carriages com.
pleted the procession. whilst hundreds
OF citizens marched along on the side
walks.
The cemetery had recently been put
In order and as one entered the hala
lowed ground the sweet scent of new
mown hay was MOST grateful to the
senses, whilst cool breez, swept up
the valley, which, in the verdure of q
bright June day. was beautiful indeed
to behold. A large stand had been
erected for 1.-The speakers under the
shade OF trees near the center OF the
cemetery and this was the object of at
traction. On the front rail "Old GLORY"
was gracefully draped and while the
speakers and the guests were taking
their seats the band burst forth in q
food of melody. At it's conclusion Rev.
DR.. Taylor invoked the divine blessing
upon the solemn ceremonies to which
he feelingly alluded.
Chief Marshal Griffin introduced Mr.
Pugh, the first speaker. in short but
eloquent address in which he spoke not
only pathetically OF the sainted dead,
but turning to his own command
charged them to defend the honor of
their country and drew forth hearty ap-
plsuse by saying ITO the veterans of
the Grand Army OF the Republic, some
OF whom are present, I extend the right
hand OF fellowship" at the same time
warmly grasping the hand of General
Sholes, who sat near by
Mr.. a. b. Pugh then faced the large
audience, and after few preliminary
sentences, spoke In substance as fol-
lows: "Ihe society of Odd Fellows,
whose representative here will follow
me, and:to whom we are chiefly in
debted for the sweet privilege OF this
occasion, having, with good will and
kindly feeling characteristic OF that
noble order, accepted the suggestions
OF some of our citizens looking to a
union OF effort and an enlargement of
purpose in this mission of reverentisl
esteem and patriotic love. we are here
TO unite with these, our brothers, in dov
Ing honor to the memory of dead-sol-
der and civilian alike
And IL was happy thought, IL
seems to me, which suggested that out
OF this beautiful and time honored GUS
tom there might, and ought to spring
into life, and be kept and observed in
the future, side by side, and along with
this custom, the not less beautiful and
touching ceremony of annually decorat.
ing the graves Of our civic dead. MAY
this first step be but the seed sown
which shall spring up, grow and ripen
into an annual harvest of love bestowed.
But again, there IL another reason for
this. There are now sleeping beneath
us in this sacred soil the mothers and
daughters and sisters and wives of
many who gave their LIES blood for
their country. Why should not their
graves be decorated? Grand and glori-
GUS women OF the South. The sublimest
Paso' VI oui ooutueln history are the
pages which tell of their sufferinQs; of
their working hands; of their deserted
homes; Of their ssddened hearts; of their
heroic deeds; Of their devotion; of their
love-"
Abiding atsome length to the fame of
the Southern soldier the speaker closed
this part OF his speech with these
words, WHO is there to-day who will
dare stand up and assert that the brave
men of the South who fought under the
Confederate flag, were prompted by mo-