Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1896-05-09
DECORATION DAY.

tho ladies', united with the lodge in com
memorating the event in a creditable
manner. It is to 10 regretted their OF
forts were thwarted in measure by the
threatening aspect Of tho weather, but
nevertheless, there was fair atten
dance from both the town and country,
and the day passed off pleasantly. Mr..
Dinsmore, rs one of the committee to
procure a speaker, was fortunate in Sc
curing Hon. Jno. S. Hicks, Of Bolivar,
to deliver the address, which, through
the courtesy Of the committee, we are
enabled to lay in full before our readers
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Iwish to express my sincere thanks
for the very distinguished compliment
implied in the invitation to address you
on this occasion, and nave been induced
by many considerations to accept it,.
This shall ever form green, luxuriant
Place in memory field to which shall
oft refer with happiest recollections.
1t is not my purpose to engage in Any
lengthy discussion Of those caascs which
led to the war or to its awful and dis
astrous consequences, for these are
matters of history with which we are
all acquainted, and would only tend to
weary You, 1t is fitting, however, that
as time rolls by there should boone day
in every year in which we may lay aside
the busy cares of life and, in honor of
our soldier boys, enjoy "a scene of
fair enchantnent and of love, breath
of summer fragrance waited from those
dreamy isles where earth and sky have
met, spot which makes lis linger =
Our cause was submitted to the tribu
nal of the sword, and has been decided.
The good faith with which our people
have accepted this decision is manifested
by the very close and cordial relations
which now exist between the two sec
tons of our Union. l am proud of the
soldiers Of our National Guard, and re :
joice at the humble part took in the
halls of the last Legislature in securing
for them the maintenance and support
which their Importance and dignity de-
mand. 1t is gratifying to know that we
have in our midst, trained hand and
true hearts ready and willing, at a
moments notice, to defend the beauty
of our State, and MAINTAIN the honor
and integrity of her fair name,
1t has been pleasure to leave my
home upon the banks of the great Miss
issippi for the purpose Of conveying to
you the expressions of sympathetic par
ticipation Of my people in these, your
labors Of love, and to add my tribute,
triling though it be, to an occasion
around which clusters some Of the dear
est and most sacred associations. There
are those among whom live, who
would have me say, that though absent
in person to day their spirits unite with
yours in doing honor to our noble dead.
have brought with me single flow
or, pluclzed from the fair and fertile
bosom of our Delta land, to let it speak
for its sister gems that their sweetest
fragrance is shed when waited over a
soldier grave. And when the sooth
ing rays of summer sun and the gen
tie showers of spring have clothed our
opu tia in it's richest garb, it is then that
these jewels of nature in their own,
sweet language, whispers to us of the
hallowed memories of the past.
We have assembled today under the
auspices Of the order OF Odd Fellows, to
join our hands and mingle our voices in
works of devotion and songs of loYe, to
commemorate the. patriotic services and
generous sacrifices of those who now
lie sleeping beneath the sod, upon hon
or s illUstr:ous battle field. Had l all
language at my command and spoke the
tongue of every land, l know of nc
theme worthier of my richest gift than
to speak the praises of this ancient or
der.
w AOAONCl oOliOW ttilu uhN
known, wherever mercy is admitted to be
u virtue, its glorious name is synonym
for Hope, Love and Charity And when
time itself with its shifting scenes, its
feeting breath, shall be no more, and
earth shall stand in the presence of an
avenging God, among the records that
will lend their lustre to gladen the shin
ing courts of Heaven, will be its grand
and noble deeds. While its genial face
with welcome smile, it's friendly hand
with cordial grasp have borne their glad
ness to the living heart, it has not for
gotten sto approach the solemn tomb
with reverent tread, and lay its choic-
est chaplets there.
In that momentous struggle which
challenged the wonder and admiration
Of the world, and which deluged our
sunny Southland with the life blood OF
her chivalrous sons, it would be impos-
sible, in q limited time, to recount their
brave heroic deeds, or to mention all Of
those who, by their distinguished SER
vices, not only enrolled their names
high upon the lasting pages Of history,
but enshrined themselves in the minds
and hearts Of their people as we'll.
But surely it cannot be amiss at this
place and on this occasion for willing
hands and loving hearts to watt aloft
again tho glorious bannor of the brave
''Noxubee Rifles. Upon its brilliant
folds have been inscribed in letters of
undying colors the names Of those who
cheerfully planted its staff and guarded
il with their lives as a sacred emblem Of
liberty, where none but those who love
their country ever dared to tread
Whom the first inuifled sound Of the can
non roar went echoing over the hills
and valleys Of our land, announcing q
nation call in defense Of its dearest
rights, that gallant soldier, Capt.
George T. Weir, with one hundred and
thirty five Of the very flower Of your
copptv ,,arxad thar n,.,1,a md hovad