Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-27
TIE MEMORIAL EXERCISES Were Fittingly Celebrated In
 Birmingham. THE GRAY AND THE BLUE Who Rest In Silent Slsmber Remembered With HonorS As Vefrans and Soldiers Alike
 Irrespective of Blue Or Gray,

Memorial day was duly observed in Birmingham.
 At o'clock p. m., the appointed hour, the procession formed in Capitol park for the march to Oak Hill cemetery.
 The procession formed with the Bir- mingham Rifles in front, Troop D. A. s. T., second, and then the Veterans, in command of General w. S. Ferguson. MT. George c. Whiting was the color bearer for the Veterans, and carried large U. S. flag. The veterans of the G. A. k. came next, and then the Confed- crate veterans behind the large Camp Hardee banner borne by MT. c. Ii. Reese.
 When the cemetery was reached it was found that q large number of people had already assembled. The ladies bore bas- kets of flowers with which to decorate the graves. The procession halted and uncovered.
 General Ferguson introduced Chaplain Lloyd, of Camp Hardee who offered up a feryant prayer, praying for the ex- Federals as well as the xConfederates. Genefal Ferguson stated that he had received a teie gram from Governor Jchn- ston saying that it was impossible for him to be present General Ferguson expressed regrets, as Governor Johnston was a brave and gallant Confederate soldier. General Ferguson then made a few eloquent but impromptu remarks. He said he would nSt enter into the causes of the conflict, but would merely say that the war illustrated American Inanhood, Each side fought for what they believed to be right We had come today to decorate the graves of the men who fought on the side of the blue and those who fought for the gray In no other country but free America was such liberty allowed. When the French desired to decorate the graves of tselr fallen heroes al GraVeloute they had to obtain permission from the German em- peror. Wherever our flag floats It HoatS over free men. He thanked God that we live in such a country. American manhood vndicated it's honor in the ter rible conflict. The day is coming when our children will not ask on which side we fought-it will be sufficient for the honor of the family that we were a vet eran of the war An Englishman does not ask whether his ancestors fought for the1red rose or the white. We are now dominated by love, by patriotism. All sectional differences have been wiped away. In the name of Camp Hardee he welcomed the Federal veterans to assist in decorating the graves.
 lTIe then introduced Gen. Rufus N. Rhodes who made snort, but eloquent speech. As a represe naatiVe of the Sons of Ee erans, he said they had set aside the passions of war-they mer5ly desired
  CTS Our fathers were fired with patli1't- ism. Pti;rfo'tism is a passion, as well as principle. He. believed the spiris of patriotism in thsryouth was broader than anywhere else If there was call to rally around Old Glory today the south would quickly respond. The day has come when all cheer the United States flag. This is a ura.ed country from the Penobscot to the Rio Grands and from ocean to ocean.
 The crowd then dispersed through the cemetery and decora ted the graves with flowers. y.-
 NOTES.
 There are sixty-thr5e confeder9tes and ten federals bur!sti i'm Oak Hill cemetery. George de Whiting was with Admiral Semmes on the Alabama, and was on the ship when she went down a Che,oourg. He has been through scenes more thrill ing than fiction ever painted.
 Maj: ". H. Hunter, past commander Grand Army of the Republic for Ala bama, sent out a handsome basket of flowers.
 iComrade o. T. Dozisr was unavoidably detained from joirirg in the march. but arrived ir time to assist in decorating the graves.
 AT WCODLAWN.
 The citizens of Woodla wn celebrated Memorial exercises at Il o'clock ystster- day. A committee from Camp Hardee went out and tocA part in the proceed jngs. a
 One of the pretiest features of the oc- cas;on was 'tha gathering of the students of Woodlawn school, each and every one carrying a beautiful boquet, which they placed upon the graves.
 Appropriate addresses were made by Rev. c. s. Sholl. paSt-cf cf the WccdlaWn Presbyterian church, and MT. w B. Key holds, of this city.