Omaha daily bee., 1897-05-31
PATRIOTISM Is NOT DEAD
Judge Smith Combats the Cynical
Sentiment Uttered by Soldier
FEATURE OF THE MEMORIAL EXERCISES
Eloquent Address to the People Who
went TO Fnirview Cemetery
kcenIy ReIishcd by the
Old Veterans.

There was no scarcity Of flowers nor lack
Of people in the observance Of Memorial
day yesterday The crispy freshness of the
air was enjoyed by the people, and the climb
to the SUBMITS Of Fairview and Walnut Hill
cemeteries was made without enervating
fatigue. The services we're marked by the
absence of all forms of display and ostenta-
ton. But for the presence Of McFadden's
drum corps and Of hundreds of fut-
tering flags there would have been moth
ing but the presence Of the unusual number
Of people in the cemeteries TO make distinc-
ton between the national memorial services
and an ordinary Sabbath funeral.
The programs arranged by the Grand
Army and members of the Union Veteran
Legion were carried out fully. The Grand
Army men formed in their hall on Pearl
street and marched to Fairview, headed by
the post flags and the drum corps. The
ceremony Of strewing the graves with flow
ers was performed by the comrades Of the
post and the members Of the Womans Relief
Corps. Tiny futtering flags marked the
graves to be decorated. When the Grand
Army column bearing the loads of flowers
ana wraaths reached Tie cemetery there was
scarcely a grave to De seen that was not
covered by freshly cut blossoms. Hundreds
of people hac spent the early part OF the
day bestowing the beautiful tokens of their
love for their dead, and but few graves ex-
cept those marked by the little hags remained
unadorned when the flower committees be-
gan their work
The religious and literary exercises were
held on the soldiers burying ground. The
stone parapets upon which are mounted the
four big cannon donated by the government
formed the speakers stand. After a song
by the choir and prayer by Rev. V. c. Rocho,
Thomas Green read a poem written for the
occasion by Rev. G.. w. Crofts, the poet
preacher of Beatrice. Neb. After music by
the choir Judge Waiter l. Smith delivered
a brief, contemporaneous address Judge
Smith found his inspiration in a remark made
by an old soldier few days ago, who de-
clared that patriotism was dead and that
this country could never again muster an
other such army to defend it as responded to
the demands of the rebellion. Judge Smith
insisted that patriotism is not dead. His elo-
quence carried the veterans off their feet. 1t
had been decided that there should be no ap-
plause and no demonstration of any charac
ter but as the speakers eloquent sentences
fell from his lips the clapping of hands led
to Outbursts of applause that the Sabbath
winds carried far down toward the city. AT
the conclusion Judge Smith given a
hearty round of applause led by the veterans.
Mrs. VI. G.. Kimball's address in behalf of
the Woman's Relief corps was prepared with
evident care ana interesting. she pic
tured most vividly the great work that Is
being done by the corps in relieving the dis
tress OF the unfortunate veterans and their
families.
The address of Hon. c. VI. Harl was one
OF his best. at its conclusion benediction
was pronounced by Rev Mr.. -Recho. The
Dodge Light Guards fired a salute over the
graves, and the multitude slowly dispersed.
The exercises at Walnut Hill, the Catholic
and the Jewish cemeteries were under the
direction of members of the Union Veteran
legion. The address was delivered by Hon.
c. G. Saunders. Mayor Carson delivered the
address over the graves of the unknown dead
The attendance was large and the floral
offerings profuse and beautiful
While the sermon at Broadway church
yesterday morning was not a memorial ser
mon, 1t Will probably be memorable
to these who had the pleasure of hearing it,
The pastor, J. H. Senseny took his text
from Romans viii, 26: Likewise the Spirit
also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not
what we should pray for, as we ought; but
the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us
with groanings which cannot be uttered"
The principal theme of the sermon was
prayer assisted by the Holy Spirit. The
speaker described human nature In all its
forms, picking it apart as a mathematician
would a difficult problem and explaining each
part separately. Cut your hearts loose and
let them gain what they SEEK was the
earnest appeal to the audience. THE natural
desire of the heart Is to be free from sin.
put the animal passions OF our natures
hamper Its progress; but the Spirit also
helpeth our infirmities and maketh inter
cession for with groanings which cannot
be uttered. Christians generally fall far
short of gaining the position the Divine VIII
has made it possible for them to occupy.
The world never will be saved till we have
a higher type of Christianity in It."
There only few said DR.. Senseny
who seem to understand at all what the
Divine Will intended and on these few rest
the kingdom. The only memorial feature
OF the services was the anthem rendered by
tho choir