Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1906-04-27
ALL HONOR IS PAID
A CAUSE We LOVE,
Garlands for Soldier Dead
Here.
BEAUTIFUL THE TRIBUTE GIVEN
Exercises at Oaksrove Cemetery are
Elaborate and lmpre CHARACTERIZATION
by Hon. Clifford WaIker-Graves
are Covered With Flowers.

by Hon. Clifford WaIker-Graves
are Covered With Flowers.
Bearing wreaths and garlands of the
sweetest flowers of spring, the people OF
Americus went forth again on yester-
day to pay annual tribute to the memo
ry of the heroes in gray who sleep in
Oakgrove Cemetery and hear again
their valiant deeds retold in words of
eloquence and pathos-a story ever dear
to every heart in the Southland.
There was an entire suspension OF
business, and the public generally as
sembled by thousands to take part in
the beautiful and impressive exercises.
For this is ever true of Memorial Day
In Americas.
The years may roll on, but the Sonlh
will ever revere the memory OF her
dead heroes in gray.
The Confederate Veterans Camp,
the Americus Light Infantry, Ladies
Memorial Association, Daughters OF
the Confederacy, pupils of the public
schools AID also great concourse OF
citizens formed the procession to the
cemetery, where nearly 500 Confeder-
ate heroes are sleeping.
The pageant was formed at the
Public Library at 3 O'Clock. Mr.. j. l.
Page of Camp Sumter was marshal,
with Messrs J. E. Mathis, @. P. DAVIS
and D. K. Crimson as aides. Lieut.. D,
G. N. Burkhalter commanded the
veterans, and Capt W. @ Page the
military.
AS the company marched past the
Confederate monument, decorated in
wreathes and flags of the Oonfederacy,
the usual salute was given.
Already vast multitude had assem-
bled about the spec ker's stand at the
cemetery, where the exercises were be-
gun with fefvent invocation by Rev.
0. P. Gilbert. The Americas Choral
Society rendered effectively the beau
tiful anthem Lay Them Low"
The speaker of the occasion, Hon.
Clifford Walker OF Monroe, was grace.
fully introduced by Hon W. W.
Dykes.
A very graceful speaker always, Mr..
Walker surpassed himself upon this
occasion IN the merited and very beau
tiful tribute accorded the Confederate
soldier and the cause that impelIed
him to lay his life upon the altar of
his country. It was theme giving
full play to his eloquence and choice
diction.
The cause for which our heroes
fought was again retold; their heroic
bravery and devotion to duty, the
trials suffered and hardships endured
for a cause they knew was just, was
elcquentlY told by the gifted young
speaker, who for more than half hour
held the wrapt attention of the vast as
semblage.
Mr.. Walkers Grafton throughout
was one of historic fact, and beautiful
and touching withal. 1t was one of
the finest memorial addresses ever de-
livered IN Amerlcus, and he was the
recipient of many congratulations
thereupon.
Upon the conclusion of the address
Mre, J. e. Mathis, president of the U.
d. G. conferred crosses of honor upon
veterans entitled to receive them. The
ladies and children then decorated
with garlands the hundreds of graves,
the salute of honor was fred by the
military, and thus ended another me-
mortal day here.
Upon conclusion of the exercises
Camp Sumter adopted the following
resolution:
Resolved, That the thanks of Camp
Sumter are rendered hon. Clifford
Walker for his mastery defense of the
South and cause for which her sons
commended; and we further thank him
for the views expressed upon the me-
Cessity of teaching our children that
their fathers were patriots true, and
not traitors"
The resolution was adopted unani-
mously and amid enthusiasm.