Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-28
 OVER TIE SOLDIERS GRAVES Sweet Flowers Were StreWn and Tender Sentiment Spoken. DR. CUNNINGHAM'S ORATION Side by Side Marched the Soldiers of the Un- ion With the Veterans Who Rallied Un-
 der the Stars and Bars.

The old battle-scarred veterans of the lost cause eelebra ted Memorial Day Sun day with their former foemen, the vet erans of the federal army. Itswas the day to do honor to the memory of departed comrades, and these beautiful ceremonies were performed by the blue and gray, side by side. Epg
 The procession. formed at the court house at 3 o'clock. Besides a goodly rep resentation of Camp Hardee, United Con- federate Veterans and George A. Custer Post No. 1, Grand Army of the Republic, there were present Mayor VanHoose and members of the board of aldermen, two companies of state troops and number Of citizens.
 under the command of George A. Airing ton, commander of Camp Hardee Here the ceremonies were begun on the foun- daton pile of the Confederate monument.
 Dr. L. s. Handley, pastor of the Central Presbyterian church, led in prayer, and the following original poem was read by
 Dr. O. T. Dozier:
 At this juncture the storm clouds
 poured down a drenching rain and Dr.
 J. H. Phillips superintendent of the pub
 lie schools, offered the neighboring shel-
 ter of the high school to the veterans,
 WHICH tHey Slduly accepted.
 The orator of the day, Capt. Dan Cole
 man, could not be present owing to a call
 to his brothers bedside in Huntsville.
 Dr. K. M. Cunningham was called on to
 take the orators place and he responded
 with the following extemporaneous ad-
 dress:
 In Memoriam.
 Wake up, my muse, from slumber rise,
 Bright is the earth and fair the slieS
 Ihe birds are singing everywhere
 And flowers sweet perfume the air.
 Sweet, gentle spring has come again,
 And everywhere on hill and plain
 Artistic natures works are seen
 In festoons fair and banners green.
 Then wake, my muse, attune thy Tyre
 My soul with melody inspire;
 Stir, up the fountains of my heart
 And let me now the thoughts impart
 That echo in my heaving breast
 And plead in vain to be expressed. No simple rhyming roundly Will now suffice, for | essay
 To sing in high and rapturous strain The praises of our halloWed slain.
 Yes 'tis of thee my song shall be,
 Brave martyrs. they to liberty, And oh, my muse could never ask A more sublime or holy task, For never since the world began, Since God created living man.
 Has ever more heroic band Been marshaled out in any land Than they who took the sword in hand To battle for our southern land; Nor braver men have ever bled, Nor better blood was ever shed,
  Than was that of our southern band. Then would to God my muse could rise On soaring wing to yonder skies And pluck the fiery orbs of night Like roses that in garlands bright Each star might shine an immortelle For those who for my country fell. I durst of such I could but do, Snatch from yon dome of azure hue Each sun and moon and satellite That beams within the crown of, night; Might Scintillate and brightly shine Ehulgent glorious and so grand That everywhere on sea and land The hosts of earth in awe should stand And up on high the angel band Should cease their songs and gladly hear A strain so glorious and so clear. Yet even then 'twere all in vain, And poor indeed the rapturous strain
 For though each word and every thought With insprations glow was frauSht,
 And voiced with grand crescendo swell
 In praise of those who fought and fell,
 'Twould be in vain and fail indeed To give to them one tithe the need Of praises due, or faintly tell
 How God-like, grand and brave they fell, For mortal pen nor mortal tongue Nor angel choir hath ever sung song of praise in lofty strain
 Half worthy of our martyred slain. And yet for all my humble muse, When called to sing will not refuse, But catching inspiration sSgleam
 From Heaven sent the noble theme Should be enough my soul to fire,
 To warm me and my heart inspire, And make each word and every line
 With beauty and with brilliance shine, For nobler theme was never given To man on earth or saint in Heaven
 Than that which stirs my soul today
 The praise of men who wore the gray. From burning Sumter by the sea, To AppomattoX'S apple tree, From Chesapeake in Maryland To border shores of Rio Grande, Like demi-gods from first to last They met the raging battle blast, And daunted not by thunder crash Of cannonade, or lightning flash Of musketry, all unulSmayed, With bayonet and flashing blade
 They struggled on or fighting fell, Their only cry the rebel yell, Which in it's wild, defiant notes Outrang the brazen cannon's throats. And higher, louder seemed to rise As on they fought till earth and skies Reverb rant shook, and at the last High Heaven looked and stood aghast To see the wreck and carnage dire Left in their wake of stubborn ire. But look today-how changed the scene. Those battlefields are wrapped in green And beauteous flowers fresh in bloom, Dstilling there their sweet perfume While high over all is sweetly heard The peaceful notes of mocking bird. And OCT each mound that marks a grave Where rest the bones of martyred brave Our lovely women, sweet and fair, Will come today with garlandS rare Of evergreens and richest blooms, To decorate their hallowed tombs. And as they kneel and place them there With fervent hearts will send a prayer To him who reigns beyond the sky To bless their ashes where they lie And grant to each in Heaven place Who fought for home and pride of race And died defending southern rights. True to their God, chivalrous knights. And in that last great coming day, When time on earth shall cease for aye, And God shall call out from the skies To all the dead of earth to rise, trust to see in that great day Our marshaled hosts in grand array, Each laurel crowned with victor's wreath, Triumphant over sin and death, Soar up in one great column grand To that supreme, celestial land, Where angels and archangels bright Shall open wide the gates of light And gladly bid them enter in Whilst cherubim and seraphim Shall join to make the Heavens ring With gladsome shout and welcome song To Gods redeemed-the mighty throng, Whose praises now we sing with pride The bravest men that ever died. O. T. DOZIER. April 26, 1896. Dr. Cunningham's Address. Ladies and Gentlemen: I am not here as a conscript, but as a substitute or short notice. l am not familiar with the tactics and my tongue may not speak words suitable to the occasion, but l as- sure you, veterans of both armies, that