The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1907-05-02
CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY.

worthy tribute was paid to the Confed-
crate dead who sleep in the cemetery
here.
The stores were all closed at nine
O'Clock a. m. until p. m. and the PEG
pie entered heartily into the exercises.
At nine O'Clock the Gem City Band,
under the leadership of Mr.. G. E. Hen
derson, discoursed excellent music, and
the procession headed by the band was
followed by Marietta Rifles, Capt Nor
ris commanding, carriage with orator
Of the day and committee, mounted es-
cort of young men, Mayor and council,
Confederate veterans, officers and men,
bers of memorial association, Children
of Confederacy, officers and members
Of the Kennesaw Chapter U. D. c., a
long line of the children and.teachers of
public school, Odd Fellows, K. P's, Ma
sods, citizens and carriages
The procession was a very long one
and the 500 school children with tiny
Confederate flags, garlands of flowers,
marching in twos, made beautiful. and
captivating spectacle. 1t was as pretty
sight as mortals need to want to see
outside of the pearly gates. These
sweet and lovely children, girls and
boys, were enthusiastic and caught the
spirit of the occasion.
Among the caravan were four or five
pony turnouts, decorated with red,
white and blue, and Tiny Confederate
flags, occupied, one by Eugene Jean
Wallace and Sarah Patton, one by Cora
Brown and Laura Marguerite Hoppe
one by Anna FIELDS and Alice Wellons,
one by Flora Black and Miss Matte
Black. Mr. B H Bostain's pony turnout
was also in the procession.
At the Confederate cemetery, the
Marietta Rifles fired three salutes over
the graves of the sleeping heroes.
Col. E. H. Clay, marshal of the day,
had charge of the exercises, who ac-
quilted himself creditably.
DR.. .. E. w. Dobbs opened the exer-
clses with prayer, followed by the chill
dren singing, "Tenting on the old
Campground,"
Mrs. R. 7. Nesbitt delivered the
crosses Of honor to number Of Confed-
crate veterans, in a patriotic and ten
der address, as follows -
II would like for every child here to
see this little cross, and realize it's full
meaning, and I don't doubt there are
grown people in this audience, who
could learn from it something of value.
l is not costly. it is not snowy, as you
can see, but it bears SO much of love and
sympathy, and carries with it always,
the gratitude of the women Of the
South. 1t is their tribute to the men
who wore the grey, to their bravery, 20
their courage, to their fidelity through
four long years of desperate struggle :;
and when that four years of pain and
privation was ended and they returned
to ruined homes, they wasted no time
In needless repining, but taking Up the
weapons of peace, they, with their bat
tie Scared hands carved for the south
the place which she occupies to-day, on
an equal plane with the first and the
best of the world. And now in pres
ence of this goodly company and these
long lines of "silent heroes" 1 ask
these Daughters of the Confedercy to
pin on your breasts these Southern
crosses of Honor, and let it be remem-
bered that wherever seen they are the
tribute of Southern womanhood to
valor."
One of the most pleasing and admir-
able features of the occasion was the
eloquent and beautiful recitation by
Miss Maud Foster, the gifted and tai
ented daughter of Col. j. q. Foster.
The poem rendered was entitled SIN
Woman's Keeping"
Col. @. D. Phillips introduced the
orator of the occasion, Col. A. H. Cox.
OF Cornelia, Ga, who delivered mag
niticent address, eloquent in thought,
beautiful in diction and patriotic in
sentiment Col. Cox's tribute to the
Confederate dead and the principles for
which they died, was grand in concep-
ton and mastery in presentation.
After music the benediction was pro-
nounced by Rev. w. L. Pierce, and the
crowd scattered over the cemetery and
bestrewed with springs sweetest flow
ers the graves of the Confederate dead
Imperishable be their memory!
The beautiful idea of Memorial dav
for the Confederate dead was conceived
by Mrs. Mary Ann Williams, of Column
bus, widow of Col. G. J. Williams, the
gallant commander of the First Geor-
lgia Regulars in the Confederate army.
He died in the early part OF 1882 from
disease incurred while bravely serving
his country in Virginia. Colonel Will
liams was very prominapt in nol;t;o.1