The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-27
NATURES OFFERINGS
TO DEAD HEROES
Flowers Strewn on the Graves of
Yank and Reb.
EXERCISES AT AUDITORIUM
Hon. Daniel Coleman Orator of the Oc-
casion-Recalled Memories of the
Past, and Spoke of a Clio
rious Reunited Country

Decoration Day was fittingly observed
yesterday by the Confederate Veterans of
Birmingham and vicinity with appropriate
exercises at the auditorium.
Glad nature smiled approval on the scene
made brighter by the presence of many
hundred happy children who lifted their
voices in singing songs of patriotic praise.
Memories of the lost cause" and of the
men who fell beneath the stars and bars
were recalled from the deep since of the
past, where they lay slumberng in the
peaceful glow of a reunited country.
Exercises at Auditorium
At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the veterans
began to gather at Camp Hardee headquar-
tiers in Nineteenth street. and at 2:SO o'clock
marched to the auditorium, swhere a large
crowd had already gathered, and took their
place on the stage.
The pupils of the pubic school began to
pour in, each class in charge of the teacher,
and soon the big auditorium was almost
filled. Many of the bright faced children
brought flowers, which were deposited on
the stage.
The exercises were opened with prayer ly
Rev. L. S. Eandey of the Central Presby-
terian church, after which the audience
Joined in singing the Star Spangled Ban
ner"
The orator of the occasion, Hon. Daniel
Coleman, of Huntsville, was then intro
duced by Commander Steele of Camp Har-
dee, who on behalf of the veterans, thank
ed the children for their presence and ad-
monished them to ever hold sacred the
memory of the confederacy and its historic
events.
Tribute to the Heroes
Mr.. Coleman expressed his appreciation
of the honor conferred upon him by the
Birmingham camps in selecting him to de-
liver the memorial address, and eloquently
did he recall the memories of the valiant
heroes who fought as none had ever fought
before. He referred feelingly to the few
remaining veterans who soon will join
their comrades on the other Shore and
thanked God that they had lived to see the
north and south shake hands across the
bloody chasm.
After another song, Mrs. e. L. Saxton
was introduced and spoke upon '"rhe Wo-
men In the Confederacy." The part that
the northern wives, sisters and sweethearts
played in the great historic tragedy, the
sacrifices that they made and the courage
they displayed were pointed out by the
speaker.
After another song and the benediction
had been pronounced, the veterans formed
in line in front of the auditorium and took
up the line of march to Oak Hill ceme-
terry, where the graves of the confederate
and federal dead were strewn with the
fragrant emblems of spring.
At Woodlawn
The veterans of Woodlawn, East Lake
and Avondale had appropriate exercises at
Woodlawn yesterday morning in Beggs'
hall, where large audience had gathered
The exercises were opened with prayer
by Rev. w. H. Blackwelder The following
programme was then carried out:
Patriotic song by the Woodawn and
Avondale public school children.
Reading, by Miss Josie Oxford, sponsor
of Camp jeff Davis, 1.-THE Gathering of the
Camps
Short address, fought Memorial Day Re-
ceive the Special Attention of Our Peo-
ple?"-Rev e. w. Jones'
Song, Nearer, My God, to Thee
Memorial Address-Colonel Robert CHS |
ohm, of Birmingham.
Benediction-Rey Fl. G. Davis.
After the exercises at the hall the vet |
Grams marched to Woodlawn cemetery and |
decorated the graves of their fallen COM
rades with beautiful flowers.