The San Francisco call., 1905-05-31

old Soldiers Home Is
Scene of 1mbressfUe
SerUfces.
Aged Defenders Of tile
Starry Flag Visit
Cemetery.
Stree FZo7gers Ger tbe
GruUes of Heroes
in Blue.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

YOUNTVILLE, May 3o.-Memorial day
was fittingly observed with appropriate
exercises at the Veterans Home to-day.
At l o'clock Unity Post No. III, Grand
Army of the Republic, Mexican Veterans.
/ ladies of Unity Circle. G. A. r., the
school children from near by towns and
members of the home formed in line and
marched to the cemetery. funeral
march was feelingly played by the Vet
erans' Home Band. At the grave the
Grand Army ritual was read, the band
played a dirge, taps were sounded and a
salute fired.
The graves were decorated with flags
and flowers by the members of the home,
assisted by the ladies of Unity Circle.
At o'clock all assembled in Social Hall
at the home. where the literary exercises
of the day were held. A salute to the
dead was given by Unity Post, after
which short address of welcome was
delivered by Charles NJ. Ross, commander
of the post, who also read Lincoln's Get
tysburg address. The splendid singing Of
Mrs. Grace Davis Northrup thrilled the
audience. At intervals throughout the
exercises the Veterans Home Band dis
coursed appropriate music. Hugh NJ.
Burke, a director of the home, acted as
chairman.
Thomas B. Dozier was orator of the
day. He touched the hearts of the vet
Grams and their friends with his stirring
address. He spoke at length of the feel
ing of harmony which now exists between
the North and the South His eulogy of
President Mckinley was superb and deep
ly affected the audience. Dozier said, in
part:
I come into beautiful Napa Valley and find
this magnificent home erected, not as a char
fty for the survivors Of the wars, but as a
fitting recognition of their well-earned rights.
q n he
beautiful spot on the face Of the earth. In
looking upon this audience I long for the
tongue of eloquence and wish that the divine
affiatus had descended upon me so that by
my speech l might demonstrate how much
more firmly united are the people OF this
country than they were before the Civil War
with all its dire consequences. It is better
for the people of this republic Nthat the war
was fought. 1t is better for the success of our
civilization. 1t Is better for the teachings
that are to be instlled in children that the
conflict came. How much more do we know
mire. to reverence, aye to worship. How
much have We to look upon that is sacred
aye divine How much has been sacrificed upon
those affairs Of blood
We to-day meet to celebrate this great ma
tfonal day of mourning. 1t is a day of res
direction; It is day Of silent communion: 1t
is day of extreme satisfaction to feel that
out of that great conflict there came a re-
generating and revivifying of loyalty. In the
city of New York to-day the Confederate vet
Grams are marching side by side elbow to ell
bow with the Union veterans. and they deco
rate the graves OF their departed comrades to-
gether. We to-day the same generation of
men, the men who forty years ago were fight
ing each other, side by side. laying garlands
OF love upon the tombs OF those who have
gone before. making no distinction nor differ
ence but laying the wreaths equally upon the
graves of Union and Confederate soldiers, a
tribute OF love from the living to the dead
Oh. think of it my friends, and let there
spring up In your mind a sense OF the grand
ness of the institutions and the people for
which and for whom you fought.
The exercises closed with the singing
of America" by the audience.