The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-30
Memorial Day So'emnly
Observed in the Ma
tional Capital.
Gen. John c. Black De-
liverS Eloquent Grafton
at Arlington.
Graves of the Dead
StreWn With Flowers.
Many Addresses.

With sweet-scented blossoms and
sarlands Of green, with words Of eulogy
and songs Of praise. and yet sorrow
withaL the living today paid homage
to the dead-to the nations nIustrious
! dead-to those who fought that the
] Union might survive even long after
they have answered the last earthly
bugle call.
While the sod beneath which sleeps
the body of gallant soldier or sailor
who bore the arms OF his country is
ever hanowed ground. the SPOT where
| he lies is even more sacred this dav.
oonsecrated as it is by the flowers Of
love and the tears of anguish
Day Solemnly Observed.
ington and by the citizens Of the Capt.
J tai city at the great National Cemetery
| across the Potomac, with all a. solemn
ceremonies beftting and appropriate to
the cOmmemOration of the lives and
deeds OF those in whose honor it was
set apart for such service. Perhaps it
was not particularly unlike any other
Memorial Day save IN one respect. and
that one respect the more marks the i'm
| portance and the duties Of the day.
Today there were more than ever be-
fore Of those who received rather than
bestowed homage; today there were
fewer than ever before of the old com.
rades 10 scatter flowers and plant fiass
upon the graves Of those who in years
gone by marched with them.
stiu. there was no decrease in the
ranks OF the mourners. for the places
Of those who in bygone years did service
like the service performed today. and
have now gone over to the vast ma
jority. were filed by others not fortu-
nate enough perhaps 20 have worn the
uniform OF their country and fought Its
battles. but whose hearts and sympa-
thies are with those who did, and IN
whose memories there will ever abide a
reverence and regard for the defenders
of the nation.
The Mourners Increase.
Thus it was today that as the ranks
of the dead have augmented. so. too,
has the column of mourners Increased,
and so it will ever increase IS time
goes on and the memory of deeds OF
valor takes deeper root in the minds Of
those who survive.
Unlike all other holidays Of the year
today was a day for sorrow rather than
OF joy, yet II was a sorrow mingled with
gratitude-gratitude that there were in
dime Of need men. thousands. and even
hundreds Of thousands Of them, who
were not afraid to face death in the
cause Of patriotism.
Many Places Closed.
: Appropriately. the houses Of business
| and the maTts OF trade were closed tC-
day. the busy centers o. commerce, the
hives of industry, and the places where
men congregate TO transact the routine
/ affairs OF life were today deserted, and
even the machinery Of government to-
day stood still while the Capital Of the
: Nation. in keeping with tie remainder
OF the country. paused TO let fall a tear
upon the bier Of the heroic defenders OF
T The flag.
Today that starry banner behind
. winch many a gallant lad in blue
marched TO the inspiring strains OF
martial music. hoated at half mast,
| waving its mute tribute 10 those VINO
gave up their lives that it might not be
trampled IN the dust.
From the windows OF n thousand
r. homes In Washington the Rag was
e swung TO the breezes. a token OF the
TACT that patriotism sul lives though
I its brave warriors have one BY one
{ fallen nj The approach of the great de
70 Strover. Upon public buildings ana
business houses the flag was Stl' lhere
though its gallant defenders lie buried
forever from its view
Weather Most Favorable.
Conditions OF weather favorei the
Dopular observance OF the day. Sullen
clouds dropping low greeted the dawn OF
tha dav as II in keeping with the sor-
row everywhere felt the elements were
themselves in mourning. During the
morning. however. the sun burst
Through the vapors and at times shone
brightly as If 10 emblazon in glory the
, deeds Of those whom the living sought
TO perpetuate in memory.
The choicest blossoms Of the garden.
the greenhouse, the forest. and the held
were gathered by loving hands, cluster
. ed into bouquets. and garlanded into
ureaths. and moistened with tears were
placed upon the graves OF the soldier
b dead and consecrated with prayers and
bencdiction-
Orators with high-sounding words. all
too inadequate 70 n@y full homage;
: bands of music with their tuneful mel
: odies; singers with their hymns OF
ff-tta ird pare