Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1900-06-07
Day
BEAUTIFUL EXERCISES
The Veterans of Post So, G. A.
R., adOrn with Flowers the
Graves of the Blue and
the Grey.


May 80, 1900, was an exceptionally
beautiful day. The cemeteries and
burial places in the county were visited
by the members Of the Post and SYM
pathizing friends, and the soldiers
graves decorated, and in addition to
those in this county 1--WE graves at Trac-
y City were decorated, which had never
been recognized before.
Post SO held special meeting at 1890
a. m., past commander j. g. Lancaster
presiding and two new comrades were
mustered into the Post. After th Q
transaction of other business the Post
took recess for dinner.
RvassSmbling at p, m. the line was
formed and proceeding to Owen Gene
tory, the graves Of all soldiers buried
there we're decorated with tue flowers
furnished by the friends of the Post,
which were numerous and beautiful.
Then the march was continued to Shady
Grove, where in the presence Of num-
erous assembly the memorial service
was rendered. The choir under the di
roction of Miss Louise Hill, who presid-
ed at the organ, sung America. Adju-
tsnt j. e. Eankester then read the
Memorial Day Orders. The choir then
sung Zone Sweetly Solemn Thought"
very swoetly. Then after a short ad-
dress by Commander Hill calling at
tention to the deaths of Comrades Ash
ley L. Spears and A. ]. Ramsay during
the year, the Post performed the &. A.
Z. memorial ritual Rev. w. c. Wheel
or, Of Jasper, kindly officiating as Chap
lain. Then the choir sung "Ssrew
with Fresh Garlands. Miss Ava Lan-
kester was then introduced, who recit-
/ cd Memories of the War" beautifully.
Miss Fannie Brewer followed with a
stirring production, and they both clio
tied and received applause The choir
then sung Rest ye Brave" and Miss
! Thula Martin recited the Memorial
! Words of Lincoln at Gettysburg, and
so acG0ptably as to surprise even her
, friends. In response to request Miss
Brewer sung with guitar accompani-
ment "The Song of the Battle" Then
the choir rendered very beautifully
"COVer them Over" and Prof II. Z.
Tate, principal of the Sequachee school,
was introduced, who spoke as follows:
Mr.. President, Members of the Grand
Army Of the Republic and Fellow Citi-
zens.
On this, the 3Oth day Of tho beautiful
month Of May the Grand Army Of the
Republic is on duty.
We see not here display of arms in
martial array preparing for some great
| Do you here the roar OF cannon like
that which rev, liberated from Chiea-
mauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout
| Mountain? Is the whole country in
breathless anticipation to learn the
news Of some great battle betwsen two
great armies in which fearful losses are
expected? No. The storm and seige
OF tho battle line have b cen replaced by
the ministratiohs of peace and Affection
ate regard for fallen comrades.
The service OF this day is far more to
you thar to those in whose memory 1t
is'performed. 1t car do nothing for the
dead but it means much to the living.
! 1t teaches US the awful cost Of liberty
and speaks to US in tones OF thunder ad-
monishing us to vigilantly guard the
great and immortal work which they
have wrought.
BY this service to day you are carried
backward to the days of '6l and fresh in
your memory are the brave and noble
hearted comrades who, while fighting
by your side, fell bleeding to the ground
pierced by the bloody weapon OF war,
Among the fatally wounded may have
been the companion of your childhood
whose every heartthrob was in unison
with yours, a. friend that sticketh al
close as a brother. He beekons you to
him aud dictates to you message in
tones scarcely above a whisper. Oh
how sad must have been the awfuI
scenes presented on the bloody battle
grounds in that terrible conflict
None but those who have been eye
witnesses to the sacrifices, to the suf
fering and the heart-rcnding scenes o
the civil war are able to draw a tru'
picture Of this conflict
For this reason, my friends, feel m,
Inability to do justice to this occasion
| know that am talking to few mel
representing part of those who in il
year 1891 we're the safe guards OF ia
honor and integrity Of the Unitei
States OF America.
WGeu toe clouds Of war lowered owe
our country, wnen the nation was 81
verely threatened, when IL began