Evening journal., 1903-05-30
Once More Survivors of
the Great Struggle Visit
Neiehborin9 Cemeteries
and Leave Flowers on
Grassy Mounds
Delegation Was Strong
But the Fire of Patriot
ism Burned Brightly in
the Breasts of the Old
Soldiers

How many Of us will be here next
carr was the question a gray-haired
md bent veteran was heard to ask his
comrades this morning as he left the
ost room with a squad of comrades to
ecorate the graves and fire a salute
yer those members of the great Grand
-rmy of the Republic who have gone to
nswer the last roll-call above. The
uestion seemed to be one which was
n the mind of many of the brave fell
)ws who today are honoring the dead.
-ear by year the Great Reaper has been
hinning out the ranks OF this once
magnificent army until it is now al
lost gone.
Army Getting Smaller.
Last year the delegation which
marched the streets, and on Memorial
Day was small but this year it was
mailer still. Not only have a num-
ser died, but many are those who would
march, but their tottering limbs, once
O strong and supple refuse to bear their
weight over the short route of parade.
they have the desire, but the mortal
rame, like a piece of worn out ma
hinery, refuses to sustain them.
Even if they cannot get out Of the
house to hear the plaudits of the crowd,
hey should remember that the people
If this glorious Republic honors them.
That suit OF blue, neatly brushed by
4 loving wife or daughter before the
Hearer dons it, is a forcible reminder
hat he responded to the call in the
lark day of '61-65, ready to give up
ais life if necessary that the country
might be saved, and the Star Spangled
Banner. and it alone, kept floating from
very flagstaff in this broad country,
North, South, East and West
Veterans in Tears.
Many tear was brushed aside, and
a sob swallowed today as the annual
visit was paid to the various ceme-
teries. They were not so much for
those who were gone and laid under the
green grass, but because Of the thought
that here and there there will be a gar
in the ranks that cannot be filled; here
and there in the city Of the dead there
will be new mounds under which will
sleep some of the marchers today For
this reason they were sad.
At the same time they were glad, and
sent up prayers of thanks that they
had been spared to decorate the graves
of their beloved comrades. and to SEE
the honor and praise Of the Nation be-
slowed upon them.
Got Up Early.
\ These old fellows were up bright and
early. Carrying flowers, they hur-
ried through the streets, making theil
way to the various post rooms from
which they started out with theil
token of love.
Youna Veterans Scatter carlands.
These old veterans of the Civil Wal
were not the only ones who had a mis-.
sion to perform.
The young veterans Of the SDanisi
War turned out this morning and Wis
tied the graves Of their comrades WHIT
were stricken with fever and othel
disease while lying in mobilization
camps and covered them with hora
decorations and flags, and fired a salute
over them. 1t was, indeed, a pathetic
sight to see these young men, sad
faced as they neared the graves recall
ing possibly the many kind deeds ina
had been done for them by those whos'
last battles are fought.
Emblem Of Sorrow.
The mufiied drums told Of the mis-
sion hey were on; the draped nag
were a sign of their sorrow, ana IN
bent heads spoke more plainly thal
words the grief that filled their hearu
as they strobe toward the cemetery
4 The camp life came back 10 then
how they had sat around the hres a