Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-27
SPRINGS TREASURES RIFLED
To Scatter With Loving and Lavish Hands Der
 the Sacred Dust.
SONS AND DAUGHTERS FEATURED LISTEN
ro inc Swelling Periods of the Orator as He Portrays the "Matchless Soldier of the Century''-Decoration Day
 in the Sunny Southland.

The observance of Memorial Day is in- creasing in interest rather than di1nih- ishing. Every year adds renewed Inter est. Each spring the hallowed memo ries that cluster around it seem 10 chhB closer The 26th of April was seiecteo because it is the date that marks the end of the war. It's observance sishi- fies that strife has ended. The sou.ii feels as deep an interest in the union as the north.
 The deep interest in Memorial Day was manifested by the great assehhpiase ' that gathered in the wigwam yesteroay afternoon. The Confederate veterans were massed on one side of the stage anu the pupils of the public Schools OH 'he other. The center was occupied by the commander of Camp Hardee and those who were to take part in the exercises. Elowers were masSed in front, ana idsS aoatea over all. The Second regiment of Alabama state trops, the AoWaro Ca dets and the Birmingham police lorce surrounded the stage. ., IL.
 The exercises were opened Wlth lhs inc bighs school The chaplain Rev. M. Fl Wells, then offered prayer. Colh- mander R. D. Johnston announceu .ie nrogramme, and the next piece Was "Gwine Back to Dixie," by the Jellef- son Volunteers quartette. Ihls pro Sunea nrolonged applause, and the ouartette gracefully responded 10 the encore. , s. ao,i,,ared bv Mai.-Gen Fred s. Ferguson, hrst com z mander of Camp Hardee. IL was tui, II. V. .. eloouence, zeal and enthusiasm lie ssliu thai the memory of the cause Tor Whicii thew fought should be handed down rom generation to generation. The soiS oA inc soldiers of the Confederate dIhly should hand down the memories ol .hs.l time to their sons, and they 10 their soiia. ,. |. The youth of the south should De taught that the cause for which they fought was inst The south simply desired 10 coh- dnct it's own affairs in it's own way. Every man who went in the Contedera.e army and stayed there was brave ihah. He felt that the cause for whlch ne was willing to lay down his life was rlght- cons cause. and he did feel that II was necessary to give the world the reason why The women of the south had great influence in sending the men to the front. They scorned to speak 10 hlai, ! who cowardly Jagged behind. Generai Ferguson closed by recllins ah "Ppio priate verse of poetry.
 The war stories by members oi camp Hardee was postponed on account oi enS lack of time, but they will yet be tolo around the camp fires.
 The pupllS or tfe SCIiOoi Stih6 Rlue Flag" and although they had not nracticed it sufficiently to sing in perfect lime. vet the audience applauded gener- ously. The song, Jacket of Grey, was omitted. "a l.,
 Secretary P. K. McMiller arose and in a sonorous voice. called the M Ioli. o,.a lvn the names of other absent ones were called Comrades Meade, Arlington Steele, O'Brien and DoZier arose ana an swered dead" and touchingly referred to those who had passed over the rlVer and rest under the shade of the trees. This roll call of the absent ones was very touching. Since last Memorial Day many have passed away and now rest beneath the sod. The first name called by Secre. tary McMiller was Jefferson DAVIS. Commander Johnston responded to thls and in eloquent terms spoke or the love that the southern people had for the head of the Southern Confederacy, and predicted that this love would become stronger as time passed.
 The poem by Dr. o. T. Dozier was read by Professor Roof in very feeling ana effective manner. It is entitled, Our Southern Heroes," and as the names of those great men of that eventful era rolled through the wigwam cheer after cheer rang out on the air. It IS great poem, written by a talented man, whose $ heart was on fire and whose soul was in the words. At the close of the reading the author was called to the front and presented to the audience by the com mander, who said that Camp Hardee was proud to number him among its members. He modestly acknowledged the greeting and took his seat, amid the plaudits of the throng.
 The Jefferson Volunteers quartette sang "Tenting On the Old Camp Ground" and responded to an enthusi- astic encore by rendering My Old Ken lucky Home, Good Night Again the audience wanted them to sing, but the commander warned those present that the hour was late and the graves of the dead soldiers must be decorated.
 The recitation, Weep For Lee" by Miss Momie Terrell, provoked an out burst of applause. She was thoroughly enthused with the subject, as each graceful gesture and animated express sion manifested. When she seized flag and personated Lee calling on his men to follow him the effect was cleo trical.
 Another recitation, "Maffit Entering Mobile Bay" was given by Miss Doug lass, who is an accomplished elocution- ist, and each sentence thrilled the audi ence
 The memorial poem was read by Miss Margaret E. O'Brien. When her name was announced the audience cheered, for they knew that the poem would be worthy of the cause and the occasion And they were not disappointed It