The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-05-31
EXERCISES AT HOLY
ROOD CEMETERY
Justice Anderson's Patriotic
Address.
Growth of Republic Found in Reign Of
Common People-Eternal Debt
of Gratitude.

great and patriotic assemblage
gathered at Holy Rood Cemetery to pay
tribute to the heroes of the union who
lie buried in that sacred ground. Long
before 10 a. m, the hour appointed for
the exercises to begin. men, women. and
children laden with flowers to be laid
upon the graves of the nations dead
began to assemble.
The exercises were under the d.
rection of George U. Morris Post.
No. 10. The ladies of the auxiliary
society. the Morris Relief Corps. had
been at work for several hours be-
fore the exercises commence. and the
grave OF every Union soldier in the sa-
cred plot was strewn with beautiful
flowers by loving hands. impelled by a
spirit of true patriotism.
TIL exercises were begun with music.
the band playing Nearer, Ny God, to
Thee" which was also sung by all
present. Prayer was then offered by the
Rev. Father McAtee, formerly chaplain
of the Thirty-frst Regiment, Voiun-
teers, during the civil war. This was
followed By the singing of the hymn,
Lead, Kindly Light" sung by Mrs.
Armand Gumprecht. Mrs. Fernely White.
Mr.. John Wiedman and Mr.. Joseph MUIR
ray. Later the same quartet sang
"Tenting On the Old Camp Ground"
Justice Anderson's Address.
The feature of the exercises was
patriotic address by Justice Thomas II.
Anderson, of the Supreme Court of the
District. who spoke in part as follows:
IF asked why these flowers and the
homage we here pay at the sepulchers
of our dead. 1t is sufficient. even to the
strangers within our gates. to make re-
ply that the men whose memories we
thus delight to honor were our own
countrymen who died that liberty AMI
equality of human rights as guaranteed
by our Federal Constitution should not
perish from the earth. Therefore it is
that on each recurring Decoration Day
the patriotic citizens of our great Re-
public stand with uncovered heads and
unsandled feet, strewing the graves OF
our fallen heroes with the blooming
flowers OF May. The mecca of our pill
grimage today is not to the stately and
sacred temple at Jerusalem, the proud
and opulent capital OF the Orient, but
the silent and humble sepulchers of
.nose who died for home and native
land.
We come. not as came the ancient
Jews to celebrate the great memorial
feast of the Passover with our sacri-
fees of blood and burnt offerings. but
rather to commemorate the might of
blood already offered. that our country
might live.
My fellow-citizens, tine silent elo-
Iuence of the dead soldiers at whose
graves we stand today should not only
quicken our impulses and lead us to
contemplate what it cost to
those great ideas. but it should
prompt us to again recall their mighty
deeds and noble sacrifices, not that we
AN thereby add aught to their imperish-
BILE glory, but rather that we should
-atch the inspiration of their mighty
aith and heroism, and renew once more
our fealty to the old flag they loved sd
we'll. But. while we today honor the
memory OF these dead soldiers. we dc.
.ract nothing from the glory in doins |
honor to the living heroes of the war
Is we'll. for living or dead. they are |
Hike the soldiers of the Republic. and |
mperiled their lives in its defense.
TO have been an actual participant |
n the great conflict OF arms which saved |
he Union, that struck down human sla- |
'ery. and that made this Union forever
.onoT OF an American citizen.
Growth of the Republic.
You ask what has been the secret
pr!ng of the marvellous growth and
he exalted civilization of this Republic.
answer that it is TO be found in the
act that with the rise OF this Republic
egan the reign OF the common people.