The San Francisco call., 1899-05-31

the memory of their departed comrades.
No fairer spot could have been chosen
for the last sleep of those who had so
we'll earned a rest. 1t is on the slope
that ends with the cross on Lone Noun
tain and begins with the sands of the
beach In the center of the plat rises
the single shaft fashioned to resemble
a cannon and dedicated to the hero
dead. and around this are the gray
stones that mark where the veterans
lie.
Among the monuments the speakers
stand was erected, and the veterans
and their friends grouped themselves
between that and the tall stone cannon.
This had been hung with wreaths and
flowers and against it the veterans had
leaned their Weatherbeaten old flag.
Behind il was the flagstaff, with the
flag half hoisted, swinging lazily in
the wind.
Below the plat and almost at the foot
of the hill were stationed two guns from
the Naval Militia's battery, and every
minute until taps had been sounded
their sharp report broke in on the
speakers wOrds-a voice of war while
all else was preaching peace.
Charles Edelman, president of the
day, opened the programme with some
remarks upon the nature of the cele-
bration. He referred to the occasion as
being one of special significance; not a
day to mourn for the dead, but one to
do honor to their memory. The glory
they had achieved in the struggle for
principle and liberty, he said, was far
greater than any fame they could have
won in the ordinary course of life. They
had done their duty we'll and uncom-
plainingly, he said and a nation s graft
tude was their only recompense.
Rev. Charles Edward Locke delivered
the invocation. 1t was an eloquent plea
for the peaceful rest of the men who
had given all for their country. He re-
feTred to the principles upon which the
war of the rebellion had been fought,
Of the tremendous changes which 1t
had wrought in history and of the
peace and prosperity which had fol-
lowed in its wake That such a con-
hict could have torn the country and
then that it could have settled into al
most absolute peace and prosperity inn
mediately afterWard, said the speaker
was due to the character OF the men
who fought and the patriotism which
actuated them. They fought not for
revenge nor for personal ambition; they
fought not in bitterness nor in anger:
they fought for a principle, and having
established that principle they returned
to their homes and took up their neg
lected occupations just where they had
laid them down. The courage of the
soldiers of the American armies was
bred from the pilgrims, and it had been
handed down through all the wars for
freedom and for unity until it had be-
come part of the American man.
The immortal words of Lincoln on the
field at Gettysburg were recited by G.
n. Harris and then the Burnett School
Choral Band sang an ode to the Ma
tons Dead
The memorial poem by w. w. Stone,
poet of the day, was then read. It's
closing stanZas are:
Thy wrath, God. tornadoes call,
And in the blast is death;
For sinful man must PROSTATE fall
Before thine angry breath.
Eternal God, remove our fears;
Be stilled the whirlwind's rack;
Let love descend these floral stairs,
To bear our tribute back.
Thy ancient temple ruined lies,