Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-31
PLEASING INCIDENTS
SOME INTERESTING FEATURES
OF DECORATION DAY.
Changes in the Program at Battle
Ground Cemetery-Other Dec
grafton Day News.

Senator Proctor and Representative Lit
tauer had been expected to participate in
the exercises at Battle Ground cemetery
yesterday but both were called away from
the city. In place of Senator Proctor. Sec
rotary of Agriculture Wilson made a brief
but stirring address, in which he referred
to the subject of pensions for survivors Of
the civil war.
Il have no patience" said Secretary Will
son. with any one-in Congress or any
where else-who will question the business,
the appropriateness and the patriotism Of
granting suitable pensions to those who
have made the greatness of the republic
possible. Too much cannot be done for the
old soldier. We are not to argue which
side in that great strife was right or
wrong: We are to decide how we can best
reward those to whom reward is due.
Gen. Frank Wheaton, who had command
of a division at Fort Stevens was on the
program for an address, but he sent a let
ter saying that his health was such that
he dare not venture out. In his stead Capt.
c. V. Petteys read a short memorial pa
per on the soldiers of the 9th Corps, which
received the careful attention of the big
concourse.
Mr. w Cox gave an interesting his
tory of Fort Stevens and a description Of
the battle that took place there in July,
1854. He made a plea for the preservation
of the old battle ground and among other
things said:
History of Fort Stevens.
There were many battles during the
civil war in which there were more troops
engaged in action and more loss of life, but
there was but one battle in sight Of the
dome of the nations Capitol, but one battle
in which a President was on the field.
Here in Battle Ground cemetery are the
remains of many of those who fell for the
cause of the Union. At w oodSide repoSe
the remains of many of those who fought
for the lost cause. At the call of duty they
made the last sacrifice in pledge Of their
sincerity. and laid down their lives. We
cannot. we must not, forget the fortitude,
the heroism and sacrifices of these soldiers
of the civil war
Those trying and unhappy days of strife
have happily passed, and now the officers
and men of the north and south, shoulder
to shoulder, under one flag, praise the valor
and virtues of the combatants.
Soldiers of the north. soldiers of the
south, whose ranks are growing thin, join
together once more and assist to save what
remains of the old red earthworks that
mark the nearest approach of the Army Of
Northern Virginia to Washington, the old
fort that saved the capital of the Union"
Before leaving the stand Captain Perham,
chairman of the executive committee,
thanked all who had participated in the ex-
ercises, making special reference to the Sol
diers Home Band and to the children of
the Brightwood, Takoma and Brookland
schools.
The ceremonies of decorating the graves
We're peculiarly effective. The graves are
laid out IN circle. Stationed at each
grave were two school children At given
signal one planted a flag over each grave
while the other, at another signal strewed
the grave with flowers.
The services closed with benediction by
the Rev. j. 7. O'Brien, pastor of St An
thongs Church, Brookland. The school
children of Brookand were taken to the
cemetery in a special car. They were in
charge of Miss Bailey, associate principal
of the Brookland schools. A feature was
their singing of the Battle Hymn of the
Republic
Government Hospital for Insane.
Ia Oh of the 1000 graves in the cemeteries
of the Government Hospital for the Insane
pore a miniature flag and a floral wreath
IN tribute to the devotion and vaIor of the
country's former soldiers and sailors rest
ing beneath, whose services with the flag
were followed by the passing of their de-
Ginning days at the national institution
Ladies designated for the duty from St
Elizabeth and from the Women's Relief
Corps of John A. Logan Post, No 49, Grand
Army of the Republic, of Anacostia as
sisted by number of pupils from the pub
lie school buildings al Anacostia performed
the work of decoration. Mrs. Sophia E.
French of st. Elizabeth and Mrs Emily
Frisbie of Anacostia acted as chairmen of
their respective committees.
The veterans We're escorted by the Cow
eminent Asylum Band, led by Mr. Jerome
Anderson. The 'old guard" of st. Eliza
beth-fO0 griZZled eX-soldiers-in open for
nation, with the colors displayed at the
head of the column, received the visitors at
the entrance to the institution, and then
the march to the place Of exercises was
taken up to the drum beat. When the line
arrived at Poplar Spring, shady retreat.
where the ceremonies were held, about bOo
persons We're on the grounds. Male and fe-
male inmates of the institution, with their
attendants, occupied rustic seats about q
stand. that, artistically draped with the
red, white and blue, served for the speak
erS.
Dr. Richardson, In the course of his re
marks, said one of the heaviest resnonsi-
bilitles Was that of seeing after the protec-
ton. nursing and treatment of the soldier
inmates of the institution. The government
could do no less, said DR.. Richardson. than
care for those who, surviving the perjls of
duty had risked their lives health and
strength for its protection. He bespoke
sympathy and gratitude for the men who
had made the country possible with its in
Huences and prestige of today. 1t was also
proper, he said, that the children should he
taught the lessons of Memorial day. DR..
Richardson was enthusiastically applauded
when he had concluded
1iorai ir1oute TO Carnegie.
The unwilling Of a floral tribute to An
drew Carnegie in Randle Park, Congress-
Heights, yesterday afternoon was an in
teresting and imposing event. A large CON-
course participated in the ceremonies.
The base of the monument which is
twenty-four feet high, was was made of
flowers handsomely draped in flags and
bunting, and at each corner were beautiful
palm plants. lent for the occasion by Mrs
Kramer. A picture of Andrew Carnegie
encircied by magnificent laurel wreath
stood out conspicuouSly from the other dec
orations.
There was appropriate music by a band
and nearly thousand school children sans
patriotic songs during the unwilling.
Col. Arthur E. Randle in his address
said:
While others are honoring the dead, we
are paying tribute to the living We know
men during life feel the tender chords OF
gratitude, touched by kind words and good
deeds. but when dead 1t is our selfish mem
DRY of them that prompts the impulse ia
applaud the great works of those who have
I