The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24
Origin and Growth of the Custom Of
Decorating the Graves OF Amer
lean Soldiers.
LINCoLN's FAMOUS EULoGY
CLASSIC GETTYSBURG SPEECH NOW
READ EVERYWHERE ON MAY 80.
Arlington National Cemetery Where
Twenty Thousand Heroes Are
Buried-6en. Lawton's Grave.

Four score and seven years ago our IA
theirs brought forth on this continent new
Nation, conceived in liberty and oeoicateo
to the proposition that all men are created
equal Now we are engaged In great civil
war, testing whether that Nation, or any
nation so conceived and dedicated, can long
endure. We are met on great oattleneio
of that war. We have come TO dedicate a
portion OF that field as a final resting place
for those who here gave their lives that the
Nation might live. 1t is altogether hitting
and proper that we should do this. But, IN
a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we can
not conservative cannot hall0W THIS
ground. The brave men. living and dead.
who struggled here, have consecrated II Tar
above our poor power 10 add or detract
The world will little note or long remem-
Der what we say here, but IL can never for
get what they did here II is for us, the Nv
ing rather to be dedicated here TO the un-
finished work which they who fought here
have thus far so nobly advanced. IL Is
rather for us TO be here dedicated TO the
great task remaining before us-that from
these honored dead we take Increased devo-
ton to that cause TO which they gave the
last full measure Of devotion-that we here
highly resolve that these dead shall not
have died in vain; that this Nation. under
God, shall have new birth or freedoms
and that the government OF the people. by
the people for the people, shall not perish
from the earth.-Iincoln's address at the
dedication of the Gettysburg National Gem
etery, Nov. 49, 1863.
In every national cemetery over which
floats the American flag will there be read
on Memorial day the eulogy OF Abraham
Lincoln, delivered by him on Nov. 10. 1868,
on the occasion of the ceremonies incident
to the dedication of Gettysburg National
Cemetery. The country then was in the
throes of a mighty conflict that imperiled
the existence of free government. The in
Il at inn
when hope had been suppiapted in the
hearts of many with a dread fear that the
Union was to be divided. struck responsive
chord in the North. and instiled a new
spirit in the people.
Lincoln's Gettysburg address is "A classic.
1t was a sunbeam in a clouded sky at mo-
mentous period in our history. 1t is an in
spiration now. 1t is read at every national
cemetery on Memorial day, and wherever a
post of the Grand Army of the Republics
established. In distant Hawaii, in the city
of old Mexico. in the far-away Philip
pines. and in Cuba, this address will be
repeated on Memorial day over the graves
OF the Nations dead
Throughout the United States on Memorial
day will honors once again be paid to the
memory of the brave men who gave their
lives for the preservation OF the Union.
From Maine to California, from the great
lakes to the gulf, in every place of the
dead. memorial services will be held; floral
tributes will be laid upon the graves by low
ing and reverent hands.
The year just passed has seen the ranks
of the boys i'm blue thinned as perhaps In
no other year since the civil war was ended.
as many newly-made mounds testify.
Memorial day is ole day of the whole year
which appeals strongly to the loyalty and
patriotism OF the American people. To the
survivors of that terrible internecine con-
fict which marked the sixties the day
brings tender recolections. To the genera
ton that has come into being since the war
it brings a stronger feeling. for love OF
country and the continuance and preserva-
ton Of the rights and privileges made sa-
cred by that conflict.
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
In no other place in the United States.
perhaps, is interest In perpetuating the
memory of the heroic dead so great as in
the national capital. where so many are
buried. Here IL was that the victorious
army passed in grand review at the conclu-
sion of the most sanguinary conflict in his
tory; here are erected monuments commem-
Grating the achievements of military heroes
| of all our wars. and close by on the hills OF
| Virginia. slumber peacefully an army Of
men who wore the uniform Of the Republic.
1t is fitting that the exercises in Wash
| ington Memorial day should be on a more
elaborate scale than elsewhere throughout
the United States. and 1T is a matter worthy
| OF note that interest in the occasion has
| steadily increased, and the ceremonies have
| now assumed a national significance. For
many years it has been the custom Of the
| President Of the United States to visit Ar
| lington. and there. in the presence Of the
| multitude, offer tribute TO the sons of the
| Republic who laid down their lives in de-
| Tense Of the flag. This year will be an ex-
ception, for the reason that the President Is
away from the capital and will not return
| in time to participate. This fact will not
| lessen interest in the ceremonies as the
preparations for them are being made on the
same scale as heretofore.
| At Arlington are buried 10000 soldiers who
| died in the for the Union, and that
with Spain. It is consecrated ground. and is
| a pilgrimage which attracts thousands who
come to honor those who gave their lives
| that the country might live" Arlington Ma
| tional Cemetery has an interesting history.
| The old mansion, now standing. was built
early in the last century by George WASH
| ington Parke Custis, foster son of WASH
| ington. Custis was followed by Robert +.
Lee, who left Arlington on April 80 1861 TO
cast his lot with Virginia. The property
came into possession OF the government in
1864. and was converted into a national
cemetery. 1t is probably the most beautiful
| burial ground in the world. The location Is
| ideal. II Is situated on high hill overlook
| ing the national capital. and the view from
| IL has been famed for a century. There are
| twenty thousand soldiers buried In Airing
| ton, and there is room for $1,000 more. The
most impressive sight In the cemetery Is the
| fields of the dead. on the level plateau.
where the headstones stretch away as far
as the eye can reach. The stones are set In
regular rows. uniform In distance one from
the other, arrayed in order and masshaled
as battalions for reviews.
| GENERAL LAWTON'S GRAVE
Although the simple headstone marks the
grave of the private soldier intermingied
among the lofty monuments in the officers
section may be found occasionally small.
| plain stone. or a white board. at the head
Of the grave OF some neglected commander.