Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-30

| The exercises were begun promptly at 10
o'clock, upon the arrival of the parade
| which was headed by the band of the
home, the committees In charge officers of
the home, those who took part in the eX-
| ercses, Henry Wilson Post, No. II. c. A
| r., a garrison of the Army and Navy
| Union and veterans.
| The Opening Address.
A musical selection was rendered by the
band and then the senior vice commander
of the G. A. r., G. H. slaybaugh. chair
| man of the committee in charge of the ser
| vices and the presiding officer of the day
| called the assembly to order. In doing SO
| he spoke as follows:
I'VE are gathered here to pay tribute to
| the memory and lay our offerings of flowers
| upon the graves of the brave men who
| sleep in the shade of yonder trees. Living
| they were the countrys defenders; dead
| their ashes are its heritage. Next to those
| who gave the nation its birth in the affec-
! tons and grateful remembrance Of its peo-
| pie are those who preserved its life, who
made it in fact as in word the land of the
| free.
They were the victors in civil strife
| which eliminated from the minds of all the
| idea of a confederacy of states and cement
| ed the Union with their blood into COM
! pact, indestrucuble whole. Their success in
| arms inaugurated period Of development
and prosperity is unparalleled in the history
! of nations, and gave us a place among the
| greatest nations Of the earth. And when
wars alarm sounded in the so recent past
| 1t was possible. because of what the men
| who wore the blue in 81 to 10 did that
| their younger brethren in arms were able
| to vangush a powerful foe without a re-
verse and by series Of victories which
| commanded the applause and admira ton of
! the world And which opened up doors of
! opportunity to carry out civilization and to
! give our free institutions to other and less
| favored peoples.
| How pre-eminently fitting. therefore
| that one day in the year should be set aside
| all over this broad land that all its people
! may join in paying tribute to the memory
| of the preservers of our united country
| and how fitting also that this day should
| be in ;he early springtime. when the swell
| ing bud and blossom and fruit give promise
| of a rich harvest. emblematiC it were of
| the results of their deeds upon the field of
| battle md as the years come and pass, and
| the generations which follow shall enter in
| to the yet larger fruitage of their achieve
meDts in the cause of freedom and stable
government. the day will assume a more
| tender SacredneSS and teach a lesson of
patriotism and devotion far beyond what it
now inspires
Rev. Hamma's Theme.
Prayer was offered by Rev. II. Allen
Griffith, the chaplain of the home. A SOLO
The Rest of the Brave" was sung by Miss
Emma Houchen, and Lincolns Gettysburg
address was read by ]. c. S. Burger, fol-
lowed by Schuberts serenade, played by
the band. THE Voices of the Flowers
poem was read by the author, DIR. Thomas
Calver, and then a quartet of st. Peters
choir sang.
The Grafton of the day was delivered by
Rev. n. w. HANNA, d. D., and his elo-
quent and patriotic words evoked many
| evidences of approval and appreciation
from his hearers.
His theme was the day and its meaning,
and in lofty language he pointed out the
significance Of The memorial observance as
typifying the love of country and the ad-
miration for patriotism. AS appropriate Tor
the occasion he described the greatness and
glory of this country, and referred to the
extension of its domain the result of
the recent war. He thought the fears that
this expansion threatened the perpetuity of
the republic were groundleSS. He added
that both reason and experience were OPP
posed to the theory that contraction is the
law of life. The speaker dwelt on the great
ness of heroic citizenship and paid a glow
ing tribute to the enterprise and energy of
American citizens.
In closing he spoke of the magnificent
heroism eXemplifed in the deeds of the SOL
diers in the civil war. He spoke of the
achievements of the Rough Riders, of
Schley and of Dewey, in the war with
Spain, and the mention of these names
elected rounds of applause.
The speaker pointed out the evidences az
forded by the day and of these surround
ings of the nations remembrance of the
dead and of the living. In referring to the
future of the nation, he said that only the
foundations and the outer walls of the ma
tional structure had been completed, and
that in the future the temple of republican
government would stand forth in all its |
beauty.
Gen RugGIes ExtOIs Bravery.
A solo was sung by Mr.. Lucius F. Ran
dolph, jr., conductor of st. Peters choir, |
and then Gen. George D. Ruggles, the gov |
ernor of the home, delivered an address.
He spoke as follows:
"Once more We gather at this spot, con-
secrated by the nation as a resting place |
of our departed companions in arms, to |
place upon their graves not only the tribute |
of respect of their patriotic countrymen, |
but also the garlands of our own affection. |
Since last we assembled here for like low
ing service the clash of arms has added |
many a name to the list of American |
heroes, and many an American martyr has |
gone to his grave carrying the American |
flag forward to victory and TO greater |
repute among all the nations of the earth.
Wherever these dead heroes may lie today
whether still uncovered by our beneficent |
government from foreign parts. whether in
Arlington our other cemeteries at home,
or slumberiug, as some do, in oceans |
depths beneath the waters Of the gulf or |
the more distant Pacific, we now place in
spirit upon their graves the blooming flow
ers and green leaves of this bright May
orning, grateful for their brilliant exam |
pies, overlooking with gratitude for their |
sacrificing service for and for our coun- |
try.
Recurring to the green sward around US, |