Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1901-06-06
MEMORIAL DAY.


auspicious, but the sun broke forth
about 8 o'clock and the balance OF The
forenoon was very pleasant At noon
clouds threatened rain which. was hap
PLY dispelled, and the afternoon wat
very pleasant except for a strong south
west wind.
Following the annual custom the
early morning was devoted to the dec
Grafton Of graves in the various GENE.
teries.
At 10 am. the Post held a special
meeting at which reports we're made
and omitting Inman, from which no re-
port was made, SO graves were reported
decorated. TwOnty-nine members Of
the Post were present, and the meeting
was enthusiastic.
After recess for dinner at 1:15 the
Post re-assembled, and line being form
ed, marched to the Owen cemetery
where decoration of graves was made,
Rev. J. D. Dame officiating as chaplain
of the day. Then proceeding to Shady
Grove the regular order Of exercises
we're carried out as previously announc-
ed. The singing by the choir was ex-
cellent, Mr.. w, c. Hill presiding at the
organ. The recitation by Miss Ava
Lancaster, Flags" was superb and
and eclipsed all her former efforts.
Miss Thula Martin gave the words OF
Lincoln at Gettsburg" carefully and
intelligently, A number not included
on the program was then introduced.
Mr.. Albert Hyde Of Chattanooga, bo-
ing present volunteered the recital OF
the pathetic. little poem "Banty Tim"
by John Hay, and those present heard
something they will remember. Mr..
Hyde's realistic exposition of the in
dignat!on of the rugged Westenrer in
defence Of the negro boy who had stood
between him and death when left to die
on the battlefield, was grand and blend.
cd into the service very effectively.
The Grafton by Mr.. John E. Patton,
of Nashville, was an excellent and time
ly production He spoke as follows:
Mr.. Commander, Members of Spears
Post So, Grand Army of the Republic,
Ladies and Gentlemen
1t has been my privilege and pleas
ure on almost every recurring Memorial
Day for number Of years past to par.
ticipate, in my feeble way, in these your
impressive exercises. A year ago to-
day it was my privilege to speak from
the rostrum of the third largest Gene
terry in the Nation to the people there
assembled. With the honor bestowed
by these privileges have been deeply
and gratefully impressed, but the thrill
of saddened pleasure and gratitude with
which greet you today is peculiar. II
is peculiar to this occasion because !
stand upon the soil of my native county,
soil which your grand-sires and mine
wrung from the primeval forest and
cane-braks, at the cost OF Drawn, sweat
and blood.
They tell you that a prophet is not
without honor save in his own country,
think the proverb is true; doubtless
too true, and perhaps the fact that il
is SO true may have added something
to my appreciation of the privilege
which today enjoy, the privilege Of
mingling and communing with my own
people in our common desire to do hon.
or to the courage, the prowess, the un'
selfish sacrifice, the unparalleled devo.
tion to duty and to country of American
Eoldiery.
We are here in particular, gentle
men Of the Grand Army, to do honor to
the memory of your departed comrades.
To whom in this broad liberty-loving
and liberty land of tours is honor
more justly due than to the true soldier
who hearkens to his country's call and
pours out his lite-blood upon his coun'
try's altar. In honoring the memory ot
such we do honor to ourselves! A word
first as to TO the origin of the custom
which brings US together today and ther
something of my conception of the spirit
in which we should participate in these
exercises, and the good which we should
confidentially expect to flow from 9
proper observance of the custom.
Like many another thing which ha:
eKerted potent influence in the uplift
ing OF the human race, the custom o.
placing flowers npon the graves Of sold
iers originated with the good women o
the South. How fitting the beginning
of so beautiful and sacred q custom
The worthy Commander Of your Pos
tells me that the credit is PARTICULAR
due to Mrs. Chas. J. Williams, of Co
lumbus, Georgia. She was a soldier
widow and a southern woman and whel
she died, in 1874, was buried with mil
itary honors, Her memory will b
cherished long after many a genera
and statesman Of hor time shall haV
been forgotten.
Memorial Day proper, as known an'
observed by the Grand Army, was In
augsrated by Gen. John A. Logan, a
the time Commander in Chief Of tn
Grand Army Of the Republic, issued a.
order directing that the 3Oth day 0
May Of that year be generally observes
bH the members Of the Grand Army =