The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1895-05-02
MEMORIAL DAY.
An Eloquent Grafton by
Hon. III. p. Bell.
A LARGE CROWD WAS PRESENT,
Owing to Steady Rain, the Exer.
ciSeS were Held ia the Court
House Friday Morning.

Arrangements had been made to
make the Confederate Memorial ex-
ercises on last Friday the largest
and most successful of any that has
been held in recent years, but when
the morning dawned the sun was
obscured from view by thick clouds,
that soon began to pour down a
steady rain, which made it out of
the question to hold the exercises
at the cemetery; consequently, the
news had to be circulated the best
way possible that the speaking would
take place in the court house.
At half past ten o'clock, the au-
ditorium was crowded by our citi-
zens. The Marietta Rifles occupied
number Of seats on the left and
thea came the long procession of
school children and teachers, each
one carrying flowers. They filled
one side of the room to overfowing.
Supt. Stewart says there were 365
children present.
On the stage were a number OF
our prominent citizens, with a good
sprinkling of old Confederate Vet
Grams.
The exercises were opened with a
song by the school children, accom-.
panied with cornet by Mr.. George
Manning.
Rev. J. H. Patton offered a feel
| ing prayer.
! Capt. W. J. Hudson, President of
the Memorial Association, who had
been assigned to introduce the
speaker, YVES detained at home on
account of his sickness, much to the
regret OF all. This duty devolved
on Col. c. d. Phillips, ::and his in>
troductory remarks were full of
spirit aud enthusiasm.
The speaker was Hon. H. 2. Bell,
of Cumming, who was Lieutenant
Colonel of the gallant 41st Georgia
Regiment, and a man whom the
Democrats OF the Ninth District
elected to Congress several times
since the war. He is now 70 wears
of age, but is erect and vigorous, his
! voice clear and intellect strong and
powerful. His speech on this oc.
casion was masterful and eloquent.
On no occasion have we heard a
memorial address that treated the
causes and defined the issues that
brought on the late wa more clear
ly and comprehensively, in the
enuneiations of the Declaration Of
Independence, backed by the right
of justice and impartial truth, than
was set forth by this learned speak
er on this occasion. His tribute to
the Confederate soldiers, living and
dead, and to the noble women of the
South, was grandly beautiful, in
fact perfect gem. He none the
less recognized the patriotism Of the
Northern soldier and the sentiment
that prompted him to rally around
the stars and stripes and restore tho
Union.
The speaker was frequently ap>
plauded and his splendid address
gratified and pleased all WHO were
in sympathy with the occasion.
At its conclusion, Col. Phillips
offered a resolution of thanks to Col.
Bell for his able speech, which vas
heartily adopted.
The recitation by Miss larry
Reynolds Of the poem, "The Com
federate Note" was faultlessly and
touchingly rendered.
Col. Phillips then, in few pa
thetic remarks, recounted the bat
tie scene of Perryville, KY, where
among the dying, dead and wound>
ed, the gallant George n. Lester,
with his right arm shot of, lay, and
when approached, he sent a mes
age, committing his wife, children
and country to the protection Of
God. The recital of this incident
brought tears to many eyes.
! The flowers were then banked up
on the stage to be carried out TO the
cemetery to be placed on the graves
of the "silent heroes" of the
"Lost Cause"
Although the day was very in
clement, the exercises were in
keeping with the spirit of devotion,
commemorative of the virtues of
our soldier dead.