The record-union., 1896-05-30

4
day. The pupils and many friends as
sembled in the chapel of the Academy
under direction Of the Sisters. Bishop
Grace, supported by two of the clergy
presided, sitting upon special plat
form on the north side of the hall, over
draped by large American flag. Op-
posite on the south wall, there was
erected a model monument in pure
white, a shaft rising from a two-ter-
raced base and surmounted by cross
the whole design being between five
and six feet in hight. On the front OF
Cne of the faces of the shaft were the
words I'm Memoriam; Our Soldier
Dead" The whole structure arose from
bed of beautiful fresh flowers, and
was entwined with floral wreaths and
f1anked by American flags. At one
side and to the rear was a simple knot
of black and white drapery.
Upon the school rostrum a life-sized
portrait of Washington was displayed
Representing the Grand Army Of the
Republic were Comrades Wiley and
Smith of Sumner Post, who occupied
seats to the left of the Bishop, the cler-
gy being on the right hand. The ex-
ercises opened with fervent prayer by
Bishop Grace for blessings upon our
land, in thankfulness for all the privi-
leges 1t affords the people, and in sup
plication that 1T may be forever pre-
served and the people be loyal, patriotic
peaceful and loving.
The programme then proceeded ac-
'oording to the details published in
yesterdays Record Union" and proved
most entertaining and very touching
The recitations were given with spirit
grace and ease, and were all patriotic
loving and tender. The recitations
We're: THE True and Brave" by
thirteen little girls; 1.-The Nation
Dead" by six young lady boarders in
the Academy; Let Us Cherish the Blue
and Gray by the fourth elementary
class, twenty-five pupils; 'MemorisI
Day." by five members of the class O.
'96
The songs were: Rest" by the sec
end singing class, twentyfour mem
bers; THE Flag of Our Union," by the
school; "Cover Them Over With Flow
ers,'' by the academic class, twenty
members. The instrumental music was
The Long, Weary Day." on two pi-
amos, Misses Gildensleeve and Dom
nelly; The Last Idea of Won Weber,
Miss Cassidy; Columbian Medley" two
pianos, Misses Thompson, Sermonet
Burke and Weadick; I'm Memoriam, -
two pianos, Misses Gildensleeve and
O'Brien.
Bishop Grace then introduced Mr.
Wiley of Sumner Post, G. A. R., who
do hv.of oAd od
mirably adapted to ;nform the school
concerning the outbreak of the war,
the rush to arms, the weary years OF
fighting, the glad proclamation OF
peace, the forgiveness and reconcilia-
tion, and the feelings with which the
Blue and the Gray now regard each
other and their common country.
In concluding, he introduced j. A.
Woodson, who addressed the school
upon the Day and the meaning of pat
riotism in everyday life. While he
spoke for half an hour, he had the un-
divided attention of the pupils, not an
eye leaving his the whole time, the ad-
dress being fashioned after the manner
of a personal talk with each individual
in the school.
AT the conclusion, Bishop Grace, in
few well-chosen words, indorsed all
that had been uttered in the address
concerning law-abiding and honor de-
Tending, neighbor-loving and dutydo-
ing, as the tests of patriotism, and re-
turned thanks for the instructive ad-
dress, as he deemed it one of the most
valuable of lessons for pupils, which he
was sure every one of them understood,
though it dealt with a subject difficult to
speak upon to children. A brief synop-
sis of the address of Mr.. Woodson is
given herewith:
The speaker addressed himself di-
rectly to the children, saying that what
he had to say was for and to them.
The purposes of the gathering and the
day were holy in his estimation, be-
caus they related to some Of the most
sacred of duties, among which is love
for ones neighbors. It was not intend
ed to glorify war, or paint the scenes
OF strife, and dwell with laudations
upon the valor of our soldiery. For
war was a horrible thing, meaning the
killing of human beings, the desolating
of homes and the making of widows
and orphans; the stoppage of the
the channels of commerce. 1t meant
all that is awful and disastrous and
woful While we applaud the pageantry
of military display and are stirred by
the rattle of arms and the roll of
drums, there is nothing in war to ex-
cite our admiration so much as our
sorrow. for over it all is the pail of
death and the death of love.
So while we are not to apostrophize
war on Memorial Day, we are to honor
the memories of those who died in bat
tie to preserve the union of States, and
those who fought but still live we re-
spect and pay tribute to for their valor
and self-sacrifice. But we are Still to
regret war and pray that we may
never be witness to it. He then rap
idly simply referred to the war of the
rebellion, and the causes of the war
as being misunderstanding and issues
of sentiment and interest that culmi-