The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-20

sion the Red. White and Blue" Dixie"
and other familiar airs. The baad WAS
ayplauded to the echo, and in an instant
Cherry street and Second avenue, for
easily block either way was a solid
mass Of patriotic and enthusiastic people.
The very opposite occurred a few days
later: Two bands of cosored musicians
representing the Georgia Ministries, par
AIDED our crowded thoroughfares. and
paaeed crowd Of quite a thousand people
who were clustering around the bulletins
OF this paper giving information as to the
progress Of the war. These two baneS
played inspiritilg marches. but not a
single patriotic air while passing this
once. although they trayersed the route
nix times In the week OF their visit TO
Seattle Their music fell on dull ears.
indeed the performers yended their way
very much Ike chain gang, the crowds
opening % let them through and glad that
they finally disappeared in the distance,
1t was the good fortune OF the writer
to be present at a musical episode which
transptred on the banks OF the historic
kappahannock river. directly opposite
fredericksburg. Virginia, in the winter
ct ls2 The gray hosts OF Lee controlled
that bank OF the river, while Burnside
held Falmouth and tho opposite bank. A
truce existed between the pickets OF the
opposing forces doing duty along the
river. Every evening q fine band con-
nected with the gray legions discoursed
excellent music. most OF IL. and that most
rapturouzly applauded was Confederate
songs and marches. One evening . sp.en-
did band attached to q regiment in Han
cocks Second army corps. possibly the
18th ConnecticuD was induced to give the
enemy touch of Yankee music. and IN
response TO tho Confederate challenge,
Maryland. My Maryland It gave the
Star Spangled Banner" and to Dixie.
the answer was Columbia. the Gem OF
the Ocean" After the two bands had
played pathetic music for over an hour.
by accident both bands in unison rem
dered Home. Sweet Home,s- and a scene
followed that has left its impress deep
on the hearts and memories OF men OF
both armies who have survived the
ravishes OF time. The enthusiasm fairly
the music. Men seemed to have
conc in an instant out OF their heads.
their actions were SO fantastic and their
expression so peculiar. Laughter, huzzas
and sobs commingled IN profusion so long
As the Cd familiar strains fell upon the
twilight For once in the history OF the
great struggle the gray and the blue as
sociated IN spirit 50 beAuteous and love-
able ~ to appear angeiic-and few days
later they INDUCED In the old scheme OF
trying to kiii one another IN battle on the
ue1k0tS or FREDERICKSBURG.
AT every gathering OF the Old Veterans
the songs that they SO often sang around
camp-f1res or on the march are repeated.
not In the strong voices OF years agone.
for the strength Of youth has been Slapped
by the infirmities OF Old age, and the old
fellow with gray locks sings In tremulous
and somewhat broken Voice; and where
can be found better marching songs than
"Shsrman's March TO the Sea- or "Johp
Browns body lies Wondering In the
grave, while his soul goes marching on?
For the purposes to which they were
dedicated these and other army songs
were wonderful creations and filled the
bin to nicely.
The music OF camp and the march, the
discordant sounds OF the partiefields, even
that most horrible sound after battle, the
cries OF the wounded begging for suceor
or death. stili ring in the Old campaigner's
ears, and from now on until he shall have
performed his sacred office on May 3oth--
Decoration day--it viii grow stronger
in memory. for this event shall be to him
again a reminder that in very short
time he VIII be gathered with the pat
riotic hosts that have pitched their tents
on the eternal camping grounds.
In the ceremonies peculiar to Decora-
ton day an entire nation can and will
for the frs. time. bend In homage and in
their brave defenders rest. for no longer
Is there division of patriotic sentiment in
the American nation What blood and
treasure failed to accomplish the threat
eninx attitude OF Spain accomplished IN
q twinkiing OF an eye. The appeal Of
President Mckinley TO the patriotism Of
the peop.e OF the nation has been its re-
sponse from every section or the coun-
try. No barrier stands now between the
III hn frN la a~tA
imaginary sectional line has ceased TO
exist. while the sons of men who fought
for or against the Union are shoulder 20
shoulder marching and battling for the
honor and integrity of the great American
republic. Only in memory or In Hsera-
ture fingers the history OF the past
Surely the prayer OF the great COM
mander, whose tomb oyerfooks the his
toric Hudson, has been answered, and
peace TO FITNESS has come 20 remain and
to bless and strengthen the nation for all
time 70 come.
The services on Decoration day, IL has
beea suggested. ought to partake Of three
principal features. Lat. Commemoratfor
OF the h.riosm OF the dead derenders, and
the cnEGa for which they fought. End.
Gratitude. that at last o common bond
OF sympathy. OF love ana mutual supper.
has drawn the two sections Together. both
imbued with single thought. the de-
velopment Of the principles that DIS
tInguish~ossr land from other nations; and
syd, renewal of feaity 70 the govern
nens while her sons are maintaining
her honor and her prestige upon q fer
elgn land and seas
If We shall gain nothing else by the
declaration OF war against the Spanish
tyrants. the attitude OF the Southern
states in support Of the government. in
her hour of peril. and the friendly utter
gnces CT the rank and ffc or the surviv-
ing soldiers who fought against Us. viii,
have amply compensated the nation for
her lavish expenditure OF money and
b.ood In support OF the proposition Of
free government In the stricken Cuban
Isle, or in the distant Philippines, COVER
ing under brave Dewey's guns. But IL
ever a doubt existed as 10 our ability TO
accomplish all that we have mapped Out.
that has been dsss.pated by the manly
action OF the Southern soldiers, whoa
Lee ard Wheeler amply represent. among
the general officers OF The national army
OF Invasion The first shot in Havana
hareoe reunited = people aad gave them
. causs n commsn.