Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-30
AMID RURAL SCENES
Tribute to Dead at Soldiers
Home Cemetery.
ADDRESS BY REV. C. G. D0NEY
Flowers Strewn on Graves During the
Early Morning.
VETERANS IN ATTENDANCE
Pilgrims Laden With Floral Offerings
Form Long Procession to Grounds.
Music Selections.
VETERANS IN ATTENDANCE

Amid scenes of rural grandeur Memorial
day was celebrated at the Soldiers Home in
the presence of thousands Of people who
gathered early this morning to strew now-
ers on the graves of the veterans of the
great war of the Union and to do honor to
their memory. The massive oaks that rear
their lofty forms in the natural amphithea-
ter In which the day has been celebrated at
the home for many years were never more
picturesque. The hosts of worshipers at the
shrine of patriotism never showed more
fervor.
Early in the morning the cars leading to
the burying ground in which rest the re-
mains of so many of the veterans of the
wars of the nation were filled with pilgrims
laden with flowers. No one of the mounds
that mark the burial place of a soldier
was without a floral tribute, and each was
surmounted with a small American flag.
Veterans bowed with the weight of many
years moved about among the graves and
watched the children and grandchildren of
the men who died that the Union might
live as they spread broadcast great ham
pers of bloom, providing a floral carpet
for the broad acres devoted to the dead.
Before the ceremony was begun the vet
Grams assembled within the grounds of the
home. The gathering of those who have
survived from the hosts that once formed
the army of the Union was a sight long to
be remembered. Many of those who were
able to take their places in line noted the
absence of many who had been there on
previous occasions. They were strongly re
minded of the ravages that time is making
in the ranks of the veterans. Their march
to the pavilion within the grounds of the
cemetery was slow and measured. They
were given seats of honor and the great
assemblage stood with heads bowed as the
inspiration of the moment made itself man
ifest.
oIri11 vote of no hing
sounding the Assembly the guests Of
honor and the vast assemblage arrived at
the pavilion. The band rendered Bedix's
romantic composition, Parting. Upon
closing that musical number the choir band
and assemblage sang Nearer, My God, to
Thee"
Senior Vice Commander John S. Walker
then presented Rev. H. Allen Griffith, the
chaplain of the Home, and the invocation
was pronounced. An original poem by DR..
Thomas Calver, music by the Kelser Young
Ladies' Club Chorus and solo by Mrs
Nellie B. Kelser contributed to the at
Effectiveness of the services Mr. Fred E.
Barbour read Lincoln's Gettysburg address
with splendid effect. and Miss Mary Ford
recited "Columbias Memorial Day"
Address by Rev. G. 6. Doney.
The orator of the day was Rev. Carl c.
Doney pastor of Hamline NJ, E. Church.
The well modulated voice and clear enun-
citation of the orator made 1t possible for
every one in the assembly to hear the elo-
quent address in which the greatness of
the occasion was told.
There old themes. the speaker de-
clared that are forever new. The herald OF
the Christian faith proclaims a doctrine
that inspires holy interest today as pro-
found and as fresh on the morning when
that doctrine was first enunciated and be-
gan to make its way through the world.
AS that was true within the realm Of reli-
gion, so is it true in the realm of patriotism.
The story of the great war for the preserVa-
ton of the Union told today carries with 1t
all the freshness of the stirring scenes or
battles won and sacrifices made.
In that story the holiness of patriotic de-
votion is shown with wonderful effect Each
time these scenes are recalled as neces-
sary part of memorial services to the dead
of that war they become more and more sa-
cred. AS horrible as is war, yet, he de-
clared, submission to wrong is still more TO
be detested. The wars in which the Amer
lean nation has been engaged all nave a
background of Righteousness which justifies
them and makes them sacred. They in no
way resemble the bloody wars OF conquest
and ambition. They were not carried on Tor
personal advantage. The principles that
had inspired these struggles marked them
as different from the wars of SO many
other nations. That fact is one of which
the American people may well be proud,
and one which permits TINS naton 10 poast
Of superiority.
American Prominence.
The orator referred to the many claims
of the American republic for pre-eminence
among the nations of the world. Now its
flag floats broadcast so tha- it can be said
that the sun never sets upon it. Its broad
domains, it's commerce and all It's worldly
successes may be reasons for just pride.
But of nothing will the nation ever be SO
proud as of that citizen soldery that sus-
tanned it in its hours of need. Too much
honor cannot be shown the men who COM
posed the grand army Of the republic that
marched 10 the field of battle and IS now
slowly passing onward to that bivouac in
the realms of eternity.
The impressive and scholarly address
was accorded the Strictest attention. 1t was
followed with other numbers of the pro-
gram that had been prepared. The Flag of
Morning Stars was rendered by Miss Stella
Raymond and the choir. Rev. Eward H
Southgate closed the services with prayer
and as the assembled veterans and others