The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-05-31
TIE OCCASION OF ELOQUENCE.
Speeches by Governor Atkinson and
Mr Nesbitt, Former at Pen
insular Cemetery.
TEHNATlONAL GUARD COMPANY
Took Part in the Parade and Fired
the salutes-Details Visit the
Several Cemeteries.

Decoration Day was the occasion OF
ideal weather conditions, notwithstana-
ing the adverse predictions given out by
the weather bureau. Although the sky
was overcast in the morning. the sun
came out brightly early in the after
noon, and with moderate temperature
the weather was all that could b. de-
sired.
The decoration OF the graves OF the
q Union dead in cemeteries north OF the
creek was in the hands OF details from
Holiday Pos, No. Il, G. A. Il. Early in
the morning the members Of the post,
Sons of Veterans, Woman's Relief
Corps, and other patriotic orEaniza-
lions gathered at 1. o. o. F. hall, where
the ladies spent several hours in ar
ranging the tons Of flowers that had
been contributed for use in decorating
the graves. shortly after o'clock the
details assigned to Stone Church, Mt.
Wood. Mt. Calvary and Greenwood
cemeteries. left the hall and proceeded
10 their respective assignments. At the
head OF each grave Of a soldier little
nag had been placed, and over thess
graves the details scattered Mays
sweetest flowers with protuslon.
To Peninsular Cemetery.
In the afternoon at O'Clock the mem
bers of Holiday Post. Sons Of Veterans
and other organizations assembled at
l. o. o. F. hall. preparatory to visiting
Peninsular cemetery, where the general
exercises Of the day were scheduled to
occur. The veterans were Joined by
Company A, First Infantry. National
Guard Of West Virginia, and headed by
the latter, under command OF Captain
John p. Glass, marched over the follow
Ing route to the cemetery. preceded BY
the G. A. r. drum corps: on Twelfth TO
Market, on Market to Sixteenth, on Six
tenth to Mccolloch. on Mecolioeh to
Baker, and on Baker to the cemetery,
The column arrived at the cemetery
at 9 o'clock, and owing to the fact that
Governor Atkinson desired 10 take an
afternoon train out Of the city, the pro-
gramme was changed. and the COVER
nor's address placed frst. His address
was eloquent throughout, and was
feeling tribute to the Boys in Blue. He
said:
Governor Atkinson.
SOLDIERS Of the Grand Army of the
Republic, Ladies and Gentlemen:-I as
sure you 1t Is a very great pleasure to
a.. 70 AnNF md En- m liz
to you for q few minutes here in the
metropolis Of our prosperous Mountain
State" 1t is both proper and profitable
for the old soldiers In the war Of the
Rebellion TO meet and greet one another
as they strew fresh flowers on their
dead comrades' graves. Such gatherings
OF comrades as this recall the solemn
scenes of 1861 TO 1865 like dreams Of the
almost forgotten past; and yet the eX-
periences OF that awful conflict can
never be entirely forgotten. The fangs
OF that contest have all been drawn,
and we are glad of 1t, put the scars are
with you yet. The curved splncs. the
gray hairs and the empty sleeves tell a
solemn story that cannot be depicted in
words, however eloquent they may be.
Many Of your comrades have answered
the last roll-call, but we rejoice to-day
that u goodly number Of you are with
US yet.
"On an occasion like this, one must
be pardoned for retrospecting, at least
in limited way. l am your friend. and
you know 1t, and this gives me license
TO talk as feel. Just thirty-one years
ago, more than ten thousand bugle
blasts caused q half million boys In
blue to forsake their homes and loved
ones in answer to the Nations call to
arms. When the brass bands, fifes and
drums rolled out their martial strains
Of music, how the loyal hearts were
thrilled. and the Thousands rallied to
the summons. As another has said in
substance, men kissed their wives and
their daughters, and their sweethearts.
and went forth 10 do and die They
affectIonately kissed and parted. many
OF them forever. We see them part,
wife and lover, and follow them to the
gates weeping. We see them disap-
pear down the lanes. beneath Haunting
flags. and on through towns and cities
toields OF glory to defend their country
and It's institutions In hospitals and
prisons they suffered on fields OF bat
tie they met the foe. and beneath Gods
sunshine and stars they bore aloft our
Nations starry ensign Their sacrifices
and sufIerings cannot be written. Lam
gunge is totally inadequate 10 express
even n faint description OF their sacri-
fees for mankind a republic versus
Monarchy was on trial. and It was then
IN the throes Of crucial test for eX-
istence. Their actions and sacrifices
md sufferinGs settled the test forever
Municipalities can endure. The risk they
ran for our Nation and It's flag as we
consider II more calmly, causes us to
love them more ns the years roll by.
We cherish the memories Of their sa-
cred dend, and feebly honor them by
covering their graves with May-day
flowers every 30th Of May All the
world says the records these salnted
soldiers made are ns eternal rs the
stars. All the world crowns them pa
triotS, and all thoughtful men uncover
rs the veteran professions pass, with
thelrmufTled drums and their arm-loads
OF Earlands TO scatter above the ashes
OF their silent, sleeping comrades.
Tito to Enduring Fame.
There Is no better title. my friends,
TO enduring fame than the four years
service rendered by the faithful hosts
OF the boys in blue" In honors truly
10 be envIed. there is no roli.cnll.
whether In the American Congress, the
German RelchBtaR, or the English par
lament. comparable with the roll-chil
OF our volunteer soldiers NJ Missionary
Ridge. ChickamauEn, Vlcksburg. bun
Run AntIetnm. Gettysburg and Ap-
ponmattOH. had rather my name was
chilled as a private soldier for my coun-
try in those great engagements, than In
any Legislative body or ministerial cab
inet on Gods green fOOtstool. Thus do
millions to-day look upon the services
rendered by the volunteer army Of the
republic. II is thirty-hve years since