The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-05-25
Memorial Services at the Proyi-
dence Cemetery.

! Confederate Qeau WcTe mdIheo NY
simplicity and genuine sentiment.
The graves OF the Confederate heroes
had been cleaned and above each one
waved the white flag of truce, typify-
ing, peace after warfare; rest after
toll, and the slumber of death after
the fever of life.
The ceremonies were singularly
devoid of affectation. Just as the
afternoon sunlight was flooding the
earth, the procession started from
the public school house. First were
the carriages containing the sponsor,
the maids OF honor and their escorts,
The other containing the minister's
and the orator OF the day. Then
followed the Confederate Veterans
with their flag, the conquered banner,
borne by Mr.. Geo. Gnier; afterwards
the Edward Sparrow Chapter of the
Daughters of the COME deracy, car
rying wreathes of flowers: then the
young ladies and little children of
Lake Providence, dressed in white,
with garlands Of flowers in their
hands. A number of persons at
tended the ceremonies.
The procession marched into the
cemetery grounds, past the white
memorial cross, until it reached an
open space on the western side OF
the cemetery. There was no music,
save the thrilling notes of the song
birds and the murmuring of the
leaves of the trees. The place SEEM
ed still as Sabbath morning; still
and peaceful as becomes the resting
place of the dead. DIR. i. r. Ber-
nard as master of ceremonies, stated
the purpose for which the crowd had
assembled and the services opened
with a prayer by Rev. c, Maize.
Father Mahe's prayer was first, one
of benediction, and afterwards, one
of thanksgiving. He said as the
people of Jerusalem had hung their
harps on the trees and wept by the
waters of Babylon for the City
of Zion, so the people of the
South cherished tenderly the men,
ory of the lost cause. Patriotism
ranked next to religion, and after the
martyrs who died for their God, come
the heroes who died for their country.
No disaster, sorrow or dlsappoint-
meat could uproot the love of .coun-
try. 1t stood mid the storms of
strong and immutable-some-
thing to which to cling to. Men
grasped.it and anchored their souls
to it, as a sea-wrecked sailor clings
to rock in the ocean, when the
storm RACES and the winds and the
waves are high. He prayed Gods
blessing upon the Southland, and
blessed the fame of patriotism that
had been kindled in the hearts
of women, whose efforts would help
to keep alive the ideals of the South. /
He thanked God that although
the war gave rise to much that
was great and noble in character and
deed, that at last the dread tumult |
was hushed and that God blessed |
this land with peace. The awful
chasm caused by the war Of secession
had been bridged over and the men
that fought for the bars and stripes |
were now ready to fight for the stars
and stripes of the Union. He ended |
by reciting the Lords prayer, and
the voices of many join ed him. They
uttered slowly the sacred words of
that prayer which now for over
nineteen hundred years has woven
itself into every Joy and sorrow of
every christian life; the first prayer
pronounced after baptism; the last
prayer sobbed above the grave.
Dr. F. r. Bernard then intro
duced Judge j. NJ. Kennedy as the
orator of the day.
Judge Kennedy disclaimed the
title of orator; saying he wished he
had the eloquence of Ciscero or a
Demosthenes, to do justice to the
occasion. The purpose for which
we bad gathered was sad, and yet
there was solace in the sadness.
The recalling of the memories of the
dead of whom we are proud, has in
it something pleasing, if melan-
choly. The Confederate veterans
stand alone in history, not being
considered rebels-in every other
instance, when two nations fought,
the one defeated was known as a re-
bellious nation. If the American
Colonies had not been yictori.
Gus instead of being considered
patriots, they would be brand
ed as rebels. Not so with the