Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-30
FLOWERS OVER ALL.
Interesting Exercises at Congressional
Cemetery-Address by T. 81. McKee


Cemetery-Address by T. n. Mckee.
At one side of the road leading from the
street entrance of the Congressional
cemetery to the new chapel which is near
ing completion the members of the Grand
Army of the Republic had erected a plat
form 1t was canopied today with the ma
tlonal colors and the posts supporting the
framework of the roof We're twined with
the American flag. Placed as 1t was amidst
the stretch of green lawn which abounds in
this beautiful resting place of the dead
and screened by the direct rays of the sun
by the spreading branches of the old trees
the surroundings seemed appropriate to the
sentiment of the hour. All about were the
graves of the dead many of them not the
last resting place of those who died In the
service of their country, but all covered
with the bright flowers of the season and
showing that none of those who had gone
had been forgotten.
In the group of people who stood about
the platform and listened with appreciative
attention to the services that were held I'M
der the auspices of the Grand Army In OBJ
servance of Memorial day, were those who
had come prepared to decorate the graves
OF the departed They bore in their arms
and in baskets blooms and fresh greenery,
and, pausing for while at the stand, they
heard the music and listened to the pa
triotic utterances which the day suggests.
w IN lileIIl, 100. were HUE cNlfOFeN VINO
bore their share of the floral tributes and
In this way paid tribute to the memories
of those who had lived and died long before
they were born and through whose sacri-
fees they had come to the heritage of a
united nation.
In keeping with the quiet beauty
of the place and with the songs of
the birds which continued undis-
turbed to carol In the branches of the
trees, the exercises were simple and un-
pretending. There was music by Horizons
East Washington Band. and singing by the
choir. under the direction of Gilbert A.
Clark. Hiram Buckingham. jr.. the chair
man of the committee. having the ar
rangements in charge. presided. and prayer
was offered by Rev. w. NJ Nevens and
Duncan c. Haywood read Lincoln's Gettys-
burg address. A poem entitled Mustered
OUT was read by D. ]. Evans. which
was tender and beautiful tribute to the
qualities of those who gave their serv-
ices to their country in the civil war
The Grafton of the occasion was by
Thomas H Mckee, veteran of the war,
who pointed out that the two great results
of the civil contest. the preservation of the
union and the abolition of slavery-had
been accomplished at great expense of
life and treasure. The men who had given
their services and those who sacrificed
their lives. he said, were to a large extent
young men, just entering upon business
careers. What these men wrought Is pre-
served precious legacy.
The program of the day was brought to
a close with music and the benediction, the
latter pronounced by Rev. Mr. Nevens.
The members Of the committee of ar
rangements were Hiram Buckingham,
chairman: Richard Emmons. A. F. Dins-
more. James Wood. George R. Cook Far
ragut Post, No. 10. and WOmanS Relief
Corps were also present.
The choir was composed of the follow
ing: Gilbert A. Clark. director: Elizabeth
Lamson. organist: sopranos, Mrs. William
X Miller. Mrs. Gilbert A. Clark Miss Mag
gle Hawkins; Mrs. Susie Hoofnagle; Miss
Florence Morrill,, Miss Gertrude 'GonZen-
BACH altos, Miss Laura V. French. Miss
Sue Lamson. Miss Lucina McGroarty: ten
ors. DIR. w. B. Hoofnagle. Mr.. r. E. File
harty Mr.. Charles l.. McGroarty, Mr.. VIM.
o. Lyon: bassos. Mr.. Gilbert A. Clark Mr..
Ernest A. Ferris. Mr.. Harry Burlingame,
Mr.. John Bethune. Mr.. William X. Miller