The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-04
REQUIEM MASS YESTERDAY.
FOR THE SOULS OF VICTIMS OF
THE MAINE DISASTER.
Father Walsh Speaks Of the Debt
Of Gratitude We Owe to De-
tenders of Our Country.

al ~ . CLOCK y SStefUdS l1loEiiiLS ~ iA1
TO the solemn requiem mass for the re-
pose of the souls of the victims OF tue
Maine disaster.
The members of Sumner and warren
Posts, Grand Army of the Republic, at
tended in a body, marshaled by Colohei
Kellogg. and the ladies composing sum
ner and Fair Oaks Relief Corps ana
Edward Robe Circle No. ,, G. A. r.,
We're also in line, having marched from
their headquarters at Foresters' Hall.
The flags of the veterans were draped
in mourning and the procession pre-
scented a solemn appearance
Marching with the veterans was Com
rade Burke. the only ex-United States
seaman belonging TO the G. A. 3. posts
in this city He, during the war. served
on the United States ship Marcidita.
Delegations We're present from the
Catholic Ladies' Aid Society, Young
Ladies Institute. Children of Mary,
Sacramento Council No. -, and Capital
Council No. II, Young Mems Institute,
and from st. Joseph's Academy and the
Brothers College.
A beautiful casket on which rested
two swords, draped with national col
ors and suromunted by a seaman's cap,
souls the prayers We're offered. Two
stacks of arms thanked the casket.
Throughout the vast Cathedral hall
every respect was manifested for the
memory of the men for the repose of
whose souls the service was held and the
audience hung upon the words Of Father
Walsh as the powerful sermon was de-
livered
The catafalque on which the casket
rested was an elaborate piece of work
in black and white. On either end We're
the words in old Roman characters
''Requscat in Pace While the cross of
the true faith was worked in white silk
on the sides.
The pall-bearers We're Daniel Healy
and j. W. O'Meara, representing the
Ancient Order of Hibernians and
Michael Hughes, Henry Fuchs, John
Sexton and Paul Van Haitian, represent
ing the Catholic Knights of America
One of the important features of the
service was the music, which was of
high order. The choir was composed OF
twenty voices. and was aided by full
orchestra. Delceo Months celebrated
Requiem was sung.
The sermon delivered by Father Walsh
was in full as follows:
FATHER WALSH'S SERMON.
The ceremonies "a which your have
now piously and periodically assisted.
being rather long, brevity shall charac-
terize my remarks on this solemn but
sad occasion.
Ger great, our strong, our powerful
country, my dearly beloved brethren,
calls upon her citizens. from ocean to
x-fci- Of
pathy and gratitude to the graves of her
fallen heroes. In obedience TO that, our
beloved country's call. each recurring
Decoration Day witnesses the loyal, APP
preciative and patriotic sons and daugh-
ters of America marching shoulder TO
shoulder with the Grand Army of the
Republic to the cities of the silent dead.
there to shed a tear over the sterling
worth of her departed soldiers and sail
ors, and there to place fragrant flower
Oh their honored and gallant graves.
Right, just and worthy of all praise is
this pious and patriotic custom of
grateful nation; for it is meet and just
that in return for the services rendered
she should never allow them to depart
from her memory. And why shou q it lie
otherwise? Noble sons of a noble mother
were they. and unstintedly did they pour
forth their love for her. With intense
admiration they gazed on the beauty
OF her queenly countenance, and fondly
fancied themselves TO be the children of
the most matchless being under the
arched vault of the skies.
And who could have found fault with
the intensity of their love. devotion and
admiration; for. among all the countries
that sprang into existence at the AL
mighty fiat did not and does not proud
Columbia stand pre-eminently the fair
est, the freest and the most glorious?
What wonder, then. that their hearts
were reused TO the highest pitch Of in
Gignation and burned with martial fer
Vor when they heard that her enemies
had conspired against her and were
about TO hurl the javelin Of death against
her mighty heart She was a precious
as we'll as a fair and beautiful mother(
and enormous was the price paid for her,
from that memorable incident in the
harbor of Boston TO the browning. i'm
mortal and imperishable victory at
Yorktown. Therefore the report of that
first gun that sent cannon-ball crashing
through the walls of Fort Sumter reused
their inmost soul.
THEY RUSHED To ARMS.
Quick as a flash of lightning their
duty became apparent; action-immedi-
ate aetion-was the watchword and the
password now; and at the call of the
mighty Lincoln. from every walk of life
they rushed in solid phalanxes TO the
scene OF battle, and, best OF all. never
left that scene until victory was won.
Plowshares We're turned into swords.
saltpeter changed into powder, and
Hicked-looking crafts of war material
lied as If by magic.
To WELD that sword. to fire that DOW
der, and to man the battlsships. the me-
chanic left his bench, the merchant for
eot the profits of his commerce. the
student flung aside his book. while
others threw off the clerical attire to don
the soldiers uniform. And. my dearly
beloved brethren-grander than all-ali.
all were animated by the same undying
principle: all, all We're moved by the enc
ambition-the maintenance the preser-
walton, the perpetuity OF old glory: and
never for q moment did they leave the
field Of strife until they saw the broken
sword of the enemy lying at the feet
OF General Grant and the stars and
stripes floating proudly and triumphant
j. in the breeze.
What wonder ther--what wonder
then--that we comply with the require
ments of an annual proclamation Of
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