The Washington herald., 1907-05-31

This is the day when a loyal people.
grateful for service rendered 10 their
country, unite TO honor their patriot dead
TO enrich and ennoble their own lives by
recalling a public valor and a private
worth that are immortal
In these words, Col Newton Ferree.
department commander, G.. A. r. at Ar
hngtOn Cemetery, yesterday. sounded the
Keynote Of the tribute which the nation
annually pays to its soldier dead. Crowd
ing the vast amphiJheater, with thou
sands thronging outside who could not en-
ter. the assembly of men in official sta
ton, people occupying the simple birth
righJ Of citizens Of this republic, the griz-
zled and halting remnant OF the war of
the '6Js. veterans of the Spanish-Amer-
lean struggle. and soldiers and seamen Of
the governments forces. applauded the
sentiment and accepted it as the express
sion Of all minds as TO the meaning Of the
national memorial
Perfect Day for Event.
Arlington. with its grassy slopes and
shading oaks, beneath which a greater
number of the nations warriors sleep
than in any other spot. typides similar ex-
ercises in eight other cemeteries in the
Capital. and other great gatherings at
Gettysburg al Indianapolis. and in every
city, town, and hamlet where soldiers
who gave their lives foy the Union lie at
rest.
Nature smiled upon Memorial Day. The
skies were clOudless, and the south winds
seemed TO whisper a requiem among the
glorious green Of the overhanging trees.
The swarded mounds throughout the Gem
eteries were dressed IN the brilliant hue Of
.ringtime. and where they were marked
Wit tiny flags and covered with the daisy
and the rose. placed there by reverent
hands, the colors blended and served to
spur the memory as II recalled the trOu-
bled days Of yore, when the hills reverber-
ated with the crash Of strife and carnage
stained the Slopes Of the valleys between. |
Beauty of the late spring was every
where The cold winds Of recent days
were tempered by the glow Of the sum I
meTs sun. leaving the air balmy as a day I
in June. The foot tread upon a carpet /
of yerdure never surpassed. while flowers /
peeped above the grass and lent their /
briiliance and perfume 70 a perfect land |
scape. Birds crept among the branches
Of the trees. and seemingly tuned their
voices in low and plaiutiye melody in
keeping with the occasion. The voice of
mirth was hushed IN the rapidly gather
ing thrOug. every mind and heart appar- /
entity in tune with the pathetic and tender /
ministrat0ns Of the memorial % the sol |
dier dead
Programme as Perfect as the Day.
At noon the signal for the exercises /
thundered in shots from a field gun from /
Fort Myer. Shortly afterward the bugle /
sounded assembly" from The amphi- I
theater, and there followed in music, song. /
and eloquent speech the tribute which the 1
Department Of the Potomac. G. A. r, !
had prepared in celebration Of the day
and It's solemn occasion. Later the usual !
exercises Of Memorial Day were varied /
by the dedication of two beautiful monu- /
ments TO eminent warriors Of the nation /
Throughout the programme was perfect /
as the day. and in the afternoon the great |
thrOng came Cityward thrilled. content !
thoughtful of the scene Witnessed and /
participated in on the wooded heights Of |
the national cemetery.
Surrounded by the green mounds Of /
thousands of the soldiers Of the nation !
those who have led the armies and those /
who have fought in the Tanks-Comrade /
James Tanner formerly commander-in-
chief Of the q. a. r.. made the address
of the day. ghe Society Of the Army Of
FraF4vtaee.a a.TTrT 4, rs-A & - l
II has erected 70 its leaders by unveiHng
a monument 20 the memory Of Mai. Gen.
Joseph. Anthony Mower, l.. s. A. The
grave OF this warrior is at the right Of
the old Lee mansion Senator Warner,
Of Missouri had charge Of the cere-
monies while addresses were delivered
by Mai. Gen. Grenville NJ. Dodge. Col.
George c. Ross Col B. p. Entrekin.
Col. William Hemstreet. and Col Lucius
j. Alden. The United States Marine
Band and the Thirteenth Cavalry Band
were both present.
Maine Anchor Remembered.
The Society Of the Army Of West vir-
ginia unveiled a monument 10 the memory
Of Maj. Gen. BENJAMIN Kelly. Gen. Van
II. Bukey presided. while short addresses
were delivered by Capt Thomas II. Nc
Keen, a member Of Gen. KeIlev's old
the First West Virginia Yolun-
-eer Infantry.
The anchor Of the Maine came in for
touching remembrance Members Of Ad-
niral Schley Naval Command. Spanish
War Veterans, placed a wreath of flowers
Upon the relic which stands as a monu-
nent At Arlington TO those who lost their
ives when that vessel was blown up in
Havana Harbor
Fresh flowers were seen on the graves
n Capt Allyn Capron. First L. :. Ar
illery. and Of his son. Capt. AIlvn x.
apron. placed there by Post No II.
American Veterans Of Foreign Service. J
who came from Philadelphia for the pur-
nose The veterans were ACCOMPANIED n
he graves BY Mrs Allyn X. Capron. who !
vas presented with badge OF the So
.ietv.
All government and general business
vas suspended for the day. FLAGS flew
Il half mast on the public buildings. and ]
III the statues OF civil war heroes about ]
own were tastefully decorated with the {
lational colors and wreaths Of flowers. :
N Cemetery Near Soldiers Home. :
No less impressive than those at Ar
ington were the exercises at the Ma c
ional Cemetery. near the Soldiers Home. S
Continued on Page 2, Column ).