The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1902-05-31
MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES.
8.sutiful Custom of Decorating the Graves of
the Dead Observed.


Memorial Day was observed in the usual
manner in Winnemucca yesterday. The
exercises were held in Armory hall under
the auspices of the @. A. r. The program
comprised singing by the choir, prayer by
Rev. Geo c. King, the reading Of Lin.
coins Address at Gettysberg'' by Oscar
Reinhart and was concluded with an ora.
ton by Edward A. Ducker. Afterward the
procession formed In front of the hall
and proceeded to the cemeteries, where
the beautiful custom of decorating the
graves Of loved ones was observed
Mr.. Ducker's oration was one of the fin
est ever heard here. 1t was a finished ad
dress and deserves reproduction in full
II time and space would permit. He said
In part:
In commemoration of a custom annually
observed by the people of this country, we
} are met today to decorate the graves with
blowers. We are assembled TO perform
that ceremony with impartial care and to
engraye again upon our minds and in our
hearts the solemn resolutions, we have
made from year to year TO preserve and
perpetuate the memory of our sacred
| dead.
This day is embiazoned upon the calen-
dar as one OF the most beautiful days of the
year a day which wakens in the breast of
every man and woman sweet though sad
/ memories of old: a day which animates
every American boy and girl with living
enthusiasm for everything that concerns
the honor of their countrys past
1t is, too. day of peace: no boom OF
cannon heralds it's dawn. no streaming
rockets or marsial shouts are In its air,
4 but with the holy calm OF a Sababth morn
it steals into our midst. with all the EN-
bems of its gentier power and the soil
where rests the ashes of our dead bios
SONS beneath its touch.
OF all the customs of all the nations OF
/ the earth, there are none that appeal more
! directly to the heart or inspire 1T with
/ more perfect love than this simple one OF
! towers. The feeling OF sadness which
/ pervades 1t is frightened by the devo-
ion which attends 1t. and every feature
/ OF its observance exalts the observer in
nobility of sentiment and elegance OF
thought.
The intention Of the custom is TO honor
the dead, to soften the terrors OF the
grave and to WOO the mind from griev
ing over unreturning loved ones by link.
sg the memory of the deceased with the
4 firest and most fragrant objects that
grow in Natures bosom. .
In it's inception in this country 1t was
Intended as a tribute to those heroic men
who rallied 10 the defense of the Union
nh.
gathered round It and threatened to shat
Ter to atoms the glorious fabric of consti-
tutional liberty. 1t is still intended as .
tribute to them, but 1t is something more
at the same time.
The idea is too grand. too sublime, to
be confined to any one class. 1t does not
belong you TO you, veteran sirs, but 4
belongs TO the nation We claim IL for
ourselves. for you. for our forefathers and
our posterity. We viii place 1t high In
the arch of our country's fame where no
impious hand shall dim its Iustre, and
when generations after generations have
come and gone. 1t will still stand forth
the brightest page In human history and
the holiest day IN all the days of the year
except the day OF God
This association Of the dead with flow
ers cannot but work a beneficial influence
on the people OF our race and be price
less heritage 10 thse who shall come
after us. To my mind II is one of the
most potent enemies the grave has ever
encountered Under its benign and heal
ing influence. sorrow for the departed sun
shine OF this life is toned and soothed tc
almost pleasant memory: and what was
before a dark and gloomy recollection is
sAumined into light Death and flowers!
What delicate linking OF pregnant
thoughts What an affinity OF life and
death and love Exquisite union!
How impossible to think of one without
recalling the other and medtating with
'chastened sorrow upon this happy fellow
ship of flowers. affection and immortality |
How the grave Is cheated of its sting, |
The fieeting breath mingling on the
altar of love with the fragrant incense OF
vernal blossoms and ascending with the
blessings of Divinity. How the mind de-
lights to revert to the last sad scene-sad, !
yet so hallowed so mellowed by this sane !
tilted rite that the memory would grow
old and feeble If deprived of that holy
contemplation.
Think OF the picture, my friends, and
tell me is there anything about 1t but
what is beautiful?
The pale face OF the dead the serene
brow lighted by a supernatural glow. the
lips perhaps smiling as of yore the white
hands folded on the peaceful bosom. the
beloved form lying in the calm repose of