Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-05-30
HONOR
THE DEAD
TODAY
Salem Makes Every Grave a
Mass of Bloom and Fra
GRANGE for Memory

Il
dead today. From the various state
and public buildings "old Glory" float
ed at half-mast in respect for those
who have gone before. Decoration Day,
while originally set apart BY the old
soldiers Of the Grand Army of the
Republic to decorate the graves of
their dead comrades. is becoming more
and more a national holiday, and
the people as a whole enter its eelebra.
tion most heartily. The sight of the
old battle flags, the subdued music Of
bands and the waning columns of the
once vigorous army of youthful sol
diers teach lesson of patriotism and
devotion TO country stronger and more
inspiring than can be expressed by the
most eloquent tongue Of the greatest
orator.
The city is today paying a magnii-
cent tribute in its offering of bloom
and fragrance to the veterans Of the
stormy days Of the '6Os. With each
recurring year the ranks of the white
haired and wrinkled veterans becomes
thinner, and larger numbers are joining
the ranks of that greater army
which is marching in the realms Of
peace. The blue coats, the brass but.
tons, the Scared faces. the mangled
limbs, the halting walk Of the old vet
erans bring TO our minds the heroic
deeds which were done by these men
and their comrades in that great strug.
gle that ended more than IL years ago.
Their presence in the ranks, following
the old battle flags, brings a reeollee-
tion Of the fearful days when the ra-
tion faced the greatest issue that has
ever confronted it.
The local G. A. r. post. faithful to
its traditions, will assemble and
march 10 City View cemetery, where
the appropriate riiualistie service will
be rendered.
The cemetery has taken on almost a
festive air. and, were il rot for the
memories that surge over one as he
treads the paths OF the silent city. he
would imagine himself in some fairy
garden Early yesterday ladies and
children began vending their way 70
the streets of the dead. bearing with !
them wreathes and garlands. bunehes I
and baskets OF the fairest flowers 70 |
lay upon the last reposing places Of
their dead All day long the proees-
non Continued. and this morning in. |
creased in volume. BY O'Clock the
numbers had become so great that the J
street ear company was obliged 10 put /
on az extra ear between Willamette
Hotel and the cemetery 20 aeeommo-
late them As the volume OF traffic in.
creased. other ears were added. until by
boon the entire extra equipment OF the
company and every man that could be
spared were used TO transport people 10
south Salem. Past The Journal Office
his morning stream OF carriages
aOwed toward the cemetery. each one
oaded with beautiful floral offerings.
An inspection Of the gardens Of the
;ity about IL o'clock this morning
showed that the entire city had been
ienRoed Of bloom TO furnish appropri-
lie symbols of love for those lying in
he city on the hill Monuments and
gravestones and the well-kept graves
we're covered with flowers, and, even in
he presence Of reverent sorrow, sub
iOed gaieiy showed that the aesthetic
seauty OF the scene was appreciated.
Probably three quarters Of the people
u Salem will visi; the cemetery before
he day is over.
AZ the G. A. r. hall this morning ev.
'rybodg was busy. The ladies Of the
Relief Corps were on hand early TO
receive donations OF provisions ana
lowers. and they were lot disappointed
Z the generous response 70 their ap-
zeal The AOwsrs were arranged 10 dec
rate the hall for the @. A r. lunch.
'on win be held after the return from
he cemetery. and were placed in
'Onehes, that each veteran in the ranks
nighs drop q Pcsy on the grave Of a
e0mra6s.