The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1897-05-31

worth, to strengthen among ourselves
the bond OF fraternity by recalling the
memory of experiences common to us
all, to encourage a more generous char
ity for our comrades who are sick or
in distress, and for the destitute wards
of the G.. A. r. to renew our pledge of
loyalty to our country and our flag
and to emphasize in the minds of all
who unite with us the privilege and
duty of patriotism
The prayer by Chaplain William Nc
CandIess was followed by the ritual by
Post Commander r. J. Greene and
Capt. Louis McGrew, S. of V, as fol-
lows:
Post Commander Greene:
Sons of Veterans, what brings you
here?"
Capt. Louis McGrew (saluting):
Comrades of the Grand Army of the
Republic: meet with you today to
join you in paying homage to the Ma
tion's dead. We have come not only
mindful of our obligations as Sons of
Veterans, but in response to the die
tates of our own hearts, to do our
duty as citizens and as sons OF SOL
diers and sailors, to give to the loyal
men who followed the flag from the
shadow of Sumpter and to the sunlight
of Appomattox, a manifestation of our
appreciation and an assurance that we
shall ever hold in grateful remem-
brance their loyal hearts, their daring
deeds and their unfiinching fidelity to
principle, to flag and to country"
Post Commander Greene:
Sons of Veterans:-We give you
welcome. May you ever be true to
our comrades gone, and when we have
pitched our tents in the silent bivouac
of the dead to you shall we commit
these loving memories and know that
you will not be recreant to the trust"
Captain Louis McGrew:
Commander: We appreciate your
words of courtesy and confidence, and
we would assure you that in paying
reverent honors to the dead, we would
also render just homage to the living.
Comrades of the Grand Army, we sa-
lutte your dead
Post Commander Greene:
''Sons of Veterans:-We thank you,
and we shall feel as we go to our
homes, as never before, that when the
last comrade of the G.. A. r. is mus
tered out, the integrity of the Nation,
the honor of the flag and the memory
Sons of Veterans against every stain.
And now, as in this silent camping
ground of our dead, with soldierly ten
derness and love, we garland these
paSSiOnleSS mounds. let us recall the
memory of our comrades who made
their breasts a barricade between our
country and it's foes; let us recall their
tolls and sufferings, their heroism,
their supreme fidelity in camp, in pris-
on pen. on the battlefield and in hos
pital, that the flag, for which they
fought, and from the shadow of whose
folds they were promoted, might never
be dishonored; that our country, for
whose union and supremacy they sur
rendered their lives may ever have the
fervent and enthusiastic support of ev-
cry citizen, and as we stand before
every grave as before an altar, we
pledge our selves that, so help us God, |
the memory of our dead shall strength |
en- in us a more loyal patriotism
The ceremony of the decoration of |
the graves was performed by Comrade |
William F. Williams, officer of the |
Day. who strewed the various graves |
with flowers. at the same time repeat |
ing in solemn tones the words:
cover IneH over, yes, cover lneIn |
over
Parent and husband. brother and |
lover;
roes of ours.
Cover them over with beautiful flow |
ers."
This finished. the comrades of the Post |
placed their little floral tributes on
the graves, and then came the ritual |
by the chaplain. Following music by
the L. S. S. Philadelphia band came the |
address of Comrade G.. F. Little, of
Hilo. speaker of the day:
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:
In this beautiful sunny southland.
far away from the scenes and incidents
which this day and it's ceremonies CO.
memmorate. we have assembled-as
comrades and friends first-to thank
the venerable Chief Magistrate of this
nation for his generous assent to
and participation in the ceremo
uies of this day. And, secondly, to
commune with each other on the
prowess of the American Army and
Navy of the United States and the
work achieved by each arm of the
service which is the common heritage
of all true Americans. Our feelings,
therefore, are rooted today in some
cherished grave which stretches from
earth toward heaven. and catches the
dews of Him who watcheth the lilies.
So that away from the turbulent
streets of the living, with shadow of
a great mystery, making thoughtful
their eyes and grave their faces. come
today millions of people, from every
town and hamlet. from the palace Of
the rich, from the chasened pathetic
homes of the poor; from across the
broad expanse of our great common
wealth turns the tide of human souls
toward that one small plat-God's
acre-the Silent City of the Dead-and
the least earthly home Of those who