The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-05-31
HONORING PATRIOT DEAD
WITH FRAGRANT FLOWERS
Memorial Day Fifty Observed By
Geo. w. De Long Post and
Citizens in. General.
Annual Procession to Nuuanu Cemetery by
Veterans and Military Escort for Decor
alton of Graves--The Military Escort
---oration by Col. Thomas Fitch.

set with chairs and a reading table,
the latter covered with the Star
Spangled Banner Two rows Of chairs
in front OF the plot were for the yete-
rams. who numbered about twenty
FIVE. Colonel Fitch. Rev. G. L. Pear
son and Miss Cartwright were seated
in the front OF the area mentioned.
Behind them sat the Territorial off,
cials. viz: Henry z. Cooper. Secre-
tary and Acting Governor, and Majors
l.. T. Kenake and A. G.. Hawes. Jr.,
Of the executives personal staff in
full uniform; Jas. H. Boyd, Superia-
tendent OF Public Works; w. H.
Wright. Treasurer; z. P. Dole, Attor-
ney General; E. S. Boyd, Commission
er OF Lands. The remaining one or
two score of chairs were mostly occu-
pied by ladies. F. NJ Hatch was
about the only representative of the
elder line of Honolulu's citizenship
seated among the guests of honor.
The general public. with women and
children predominating, was ranged
around the plot in hollow square
fashion At the rear. inside the plot,
was lined up the firing party in spick
and span dress parade uniform of
khaki. Beyond them the band was
stationed
A patriotic overture by the band
opened the exercises. The first part
OF the ritual was then rendered in
clear tones by Post Commander W.
l. Eaton, the responses being led by
Adjutant John W. Francis and the
invocation impressively spoken by r.
]. Greene. p. c.. Chaplain. An inter-
lude of music by the band was fol-
lowed by Miss Cartwright's reading
OF President Linooln's Gettysburg
speech Then came the oration by
Colonel Fitch In the latter part OF
the ritoal Adjutant Francis solemnly
called the roll of the dead of Geo. w.
De Long Post, bringing up memories
of some who. in the earlier days of
the local organization. marched ro-
bustly to the same spot and assisted
in similar kindly remembranees OF
comrades who had preceded even
them to the last bourne. The cere-
mony was scarcely needed to bring
back to fondest memory those who,
one by one. have passed away since
the change from foot to carriage upon
the solemn route has been welcome.
nay a necessary, shift for a majority
of the surviving heroes of the Union s
life and death struggle in the early
sixties.
Judge Lyle A. Dickey, Captain, led
the part of the ritual given to the
Sons of Veterans. Fred. Terrill. Off
Ger of the Day. performed the kindly
rite of strewing flowers on the
graves He had to his hand a great
variety of floral tributes sent to the
Post by its families and friends.
~Saluting the dead" with three vol
leys over the graves. was done in
military precision by the men of the
Sixth Artillery. Rev. G. L. Pearson
pronounced the benediction.
Miss Cartwright's elocution in the
Gettysburg speech was very good.
She thoroughly gauged the necessities
OF open-air utterance, throwing her
voice easily to the outer confines OF
the listening coneourse. There was
no apparent straining to do this.
Miss Cartwright's enunciation was
without flaw and her expression with
out fault
The Grafton.
Colonel Thomas Fitch's Grafton was
a succession of flowing periods. cousti
tuting diction of ornate style. II was
an extempore effort. the orator EN-
ploying but scanty notes Il wish
might address these old soldiers who
| have honored me with their audience,
he said at the outset. sin the literal
as well as the broader definition oi
1 s.a,~ fA- fha
right to wear q Grand Army badge is
a franchise OF nobility grander than
that created by the accolade of a
king.
This badge was not gained by birth
or wealth or learning-by brush oi
artist or pen OF author--by suppliancs
TO kings. Only those who have faced
the hail of bullets, and invited wounds
on the field of battle. for pure love o.
country are privileged TO wear thi:
insignia of honor and to claim com
radeship with those who fell in tbs
same cause. and as comrades to dec
crate the sois that cover their silen
forms Whether that certificate O
distinction were worn under gener
ais stars or decorated the breast o
the poorest soldier. white or black. i
everywhere entitled the wearer TO oul
gratitude and honor.
Custom had decreed that this daE
honored above all days in springtime
should be set apart for honoring III.
memory OF the Nations patriot dead
II was 3 day when we should forge
cur petty Qnarrels and our petty trou
bles, 20 remember those who fort,
years ago followed the call of the bu