The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-05-31

decorating the graves of brave men
whom they met in battle?
Thousands of Federal soldiers rest
under Southern skies in Southern
graves. many in unknown graves.
"Where som. beneath Virginia hills,
Aud some by green Allan ic rills
Some by the wa'ers of the West,
y myriad unknown heroes rest.
And when on memorial day in the
South graves of our dend are deco
rnted, gray headed Confederate veter-
ana ana noble, devoted women strew
flowers over the graves OF Federal SOL
diers. If the humane, generous action
OF the people of this city, in doing
honor to the memory OF their old
antagonists. Is denounced ns deseora
tion, it would seem to follow that the
decoration of Federal graves by
''rebcl' hands should be opened to the
samo criticism; but no denuucintion of
Southern people for darlug to honor
the memory of men who were once
their enemies has met my eyes.
Every Southern man felt th 81 cali
made upon him by his State was an
Imperative command and that his duty
was to obey, without hesitation, and at
ou its citizens to rally to The old flag,
they responded to the summons from
sense of duty, as did the people of
the South to the call made on them.
State allegiance aud State pride in each
case was the moving cause which ar
rayed millions of men in arms in this
country, and while the war that brought
them out caused entold misery to the
country, 1t has taught II lesson to tho
nntlOns OF the earth that America in
arms can defy the world.
Another vocal selection followed, and
then Maj. Henry Il. Stanton, of Ken.
tucky, reciteu tho memorial ode,
The monumentiug corps was as fol.
lows:
For gun No. 1-Col. +. Il. Stewart
and Miss Luoy Hill.
For gun No. 2-Col. s, j. Sullivan
and Mrs. Albert Akers.
For gun No. 3-Coi George Forres.
ter aud Miss Laura Ii. Mitchell.
For gun No. 4-Col. John w. White
and Miss Belle Armstrong.
Spikiug party-Col. Il. Lee France
aud Comrads Theodore Leal.
The ceremony with gun No. J..
which was repeated Substantially at
each of the three others, was as fol
lows:
Col. Stewart: "This gun. having
fred its last shot, will now he silenoed
forever"
Miss Hill then mounted the pedestal
aud said:
"fhis cannon, with its glorious REQ
ora on the field OF battle. having been
silenced forever, ] do consecrate it to
tho memory of the valcrous soldiery
We now monument ns q military deco
ratlon for their bravery aud honor unto
death"
Then from Gen. Underwood came
the command, decorate the monu
meut."
At the word Miss Catherine Stewart
Miss Marion Sullivan and Miss II. E.
walker, dressed III white and escorted
9y three stall officers. approached the
monument, Mrs. Walker on the east,
Miss Sullivan to the west and Miss
Stewart IN the centre. Mrs. Wake
advanced and placing laurel wreath
ut the northeast corner of the monu.
ment bnse, said:
LAS Just meet to the worth of the
Confederates whose mortal remains ara
here monumented, | place this am.
blematio wreath III token of their hon
friends, Southern people aud all broad
and liberal men,"
The other ladies did Likewise. after
which the choir rendered an anthem.
Then the ladies generally, assisted by
the veterans of both armies, decorated
the monument, guns and piles of shot
and shell with flowers,
The field was then cleared and the
first regiment of artillery, Illinois
National Guard, paid the final military
tribute by firing three volleys. Then
came the command, Taps" After
which the military baud PLAYED a
march and the audience dispersed.
ART work oh Horioin nmd Vicinity.
IHE fIKdINIAN is receipt of this
very valuabie work. 1t is the hand
soonest publication OF the kind roletIpg
tn Norfolk pnrtc a-..k NJ