The daily sentinel., 1899-05-31
PUBLIC OBSERVANCE
Merchants Close their stores in
Honor of the Day-Cro,Ods OF
People on the Streets to Watch
the Parade-City Troop Makes
ats First appearance.

Memorial day, 1899 will long be re-
membed for the reason that it is the
fret celebration Of the day, since 1863
when fret instituted by the late General
John A Logan, that the dead OF two
wars we're remembered with fitting trib-
ute by grateful nation.
There was moro general celebration
OF the day in this city than ever before.
There was a general suspension OF
business. by the merchants Of the sity,
from eight o'clock in the morning until
four in the afternoon. which was to say
the least, very fitting and shows that the
race for mere pelf is not so great, or at
least is not exhibited with so much
eagerness, as in the years that have
passed and gone in the settlement OF
the west.
The city was astir very early yesterday
especially the veterans, who make OF the
day the most hallowed to them OF the
whole year. No labor Of love is 30 gen-
erously performed as the one Of placing
their tribute of love and affection on the
graves OF the soldier brother and COM
rade.
Quite an elaborate program had been
prepared by the Grand Army OF the Re-
public Of this city to celebrate the event
and it was carried out in every particu-
lar to the honor and glory Of those who
had the work in charge.
Every year the scene OF the old sol
diers gathering together, their hair be-
coming more whitened as each year goes
by, is one OF the saddest and yet one OF
the most glorious spectacles that can be
presented to the youth Of America.
Down in the right hand corner of the
opera house, where the veterans sat, one
could not see one head that was not
covered with silvery gray. To look at
these and not have engendered within
your souls a spirit of regard for the few
who are left, paints you as devoid OF
little or no patriotism.
The parade was quite feature this
year. The new cavalry company march
cd ae an escort to the Grand Army. The
marshal of tho day was Col. A. G. Grout
assisted by Walter A. Abbey, a member
OF the Sons OF Veterans. The Indian
school band led tho parade and marched
in order and over the line Of march ar
published in this paper Monday.
The grafton Of tho day was delivered
by Rev. e. F. Boggess.
The opera house was filled to over
flowing with an immense audience
Several numbers Of tho program which
had been prepared had to be ommitted
on account Of sickness and absence, but
it was sufficiently long.
Charles w. Rumble, post commander,
acted as Master Of Ceremonies and he
performed the service with credit to him
self and the veterans whom he com
manded.
Rev. Boggess was in a peculiarly sym
pathetic mood, in the recital Of the ora
tiop. His language was chaste and aP-
propriate and his auditors were frequent
ly moved to tears by his references and
his tales Of the soldier dead. Very few
times, in the history of the celebration
OF the day has there beer 40 GRAFTON de-
livered to equal the ono Of yesterday
Rev. Boggess seemed to convoy the
spirit OF the day to bis auditors and was
moved himself frequently to tears in
contemplation Of the memories suggest
Of all tho soldier dead buri.d in this
vicinity were properly decorated with
flowers yesterday. 1t seems worth the
thought Of death TO know that at least
once each year. all tho thought OF the
country is with you in the silent sleep
that knows NO awakening. 1t 10 not
material compensation for having brav-