The Washington herald., 1909-05-31

When Abraham Lincoln stood OF the
battlefield Of Gettysburg. among the
graves Of soldiers. and said. The world
viii little note. nor long remember. what
we say here, but IL can never forget what
they did here his look into tbs future
undoubtedly included some general evi-
dence OF gratitude similar 70 the ne
mortal services which. continued from
yesterday. viii be held in the National
Capital to-day
The Emancipator's use Of the words
~haIlow' and ~consecrate" were not idle
choices, not the fruit Of a mere desire 20
suit the occasion with expressions q
deep sentiment and reverentiaI purpose
He vas wise in his generation, and knew
his people
With the loan Of nearly half a century
thiekening on the graves. with the ranks
Of the survivors thinning rapidly with
each succeeding year. and the stories OF
the struggle growing dim in the mist OF
time, the men and women Of to-day make
their annual pilgrimage 10 the thousands
OF grass-grown mounds with as humble a
spirit and as deep sense OF the gran
deur Of the sacrifice as did the widows
and orphans when the mantle OF sod had
not yet concealed the freshly turned clay.
Raiment cf Black.
In the ranks Of the mouTners to-day
viii be many in the raiment Of black
Many tears VIII be shed for a personal
I loss But TIE real significance Of the rits
/ is not with them II IS with those 10
whom the anguish Of the strife IS but
+ tfadltios., aa6 yet whc MAKE the pilgrim
age. and whose sons and daughters VIII
make the pilgrimage. 10 the end Of tine.
The weather. which uipped the flowers
/ Of Easter. has been good to them since
then. and Q profUsion Of blossoms has
grown TO be placed on the graves to-day.
/ At the headquarters of the @. A. r. n
+ Feunsvlvauiz avenue near Fourteenth
sire ct the aoral committee has been busy
receiving tributes from the schools. pa
triotic organizations. and private individ-
usIs and arranging them IN clusters fo-
the services to-day.
/ The rooms OF the survivors O. The Union
iarrny is e garden OF color and fragrance.
Which. after its vigil Of last night vii
7 be borne 10 the cemeteries this morning
and this afternoon The floral commit
tee. headed by Mrs. Mary r Dow. presi-
dent % the Women's Relief Corps. 3
chosen from the women Of the G. A. R..
Women's Relief Corps Legion OF Loyal
Women. and Spanish War Veterans Aux
iiiary. Arrangements were completed
last night in all matters pertaining 20 ths
exercises to-day By committees chosen
I from the patriotic societies OF the city
The fact that yesterday was Decoration
Day and Whitsunday was made Use %
IN many OF the churches. in which the
services combined the sentiments OF both
occasions. Members OF the patriotic Or
carnations gathered at the places OF
worship N thousands. and the streets OF
the city and the street cars and con-
! vevances were given over 70 the spirit OF
] the day. but most Of all N the old
gentlemen of the black stock vhOss
heads are crowned with white and on
whose Iapels are the little red. white. and
blue emblens Of the Grand Army
The G. a. r. and the W0man's RELIEF
Corus and Daughters OF Veterans attend
ed 2 memorial service last night IN he
Eastern Presbyterian Church The pulpit
was draped with American flags and
clusters Of laurel and syringa filed the
auditorium with a heavy fragrance On
the platform with Rev. DT. Charles l.
NeibeI. pastor Of the church sat Col
E H Holbrook. department commander
] D BIoOdEOOd. chaplain Of the Depart
nlent OF the Potomac. 9. a. R. and Dr..
Thomas CaIver. medical director
Significance of Day.
d.. NsibeTs sermon was devoted 20 tire
significance OF Memorial Day He chose
as his text. Z stir up your sincere minds
by putting you IN remembrance" and
dwelt al length on the heritage left IN
the nations book Of remembrance" by
the men OF the civil war. He said. in
} part:
j The nation like the person, partakes
q the attributes Of divinity when It re-
members ana reveres the things that cost.
= that are vrcrth while, and that have been
done IN 4 Saorfficial spirit nation has
a. book OF remembrance. 5ust as God has
/ 4. book. OF remembrance What glorious
thing it is that this country can turn
hack IN It's history TO the pages. getting
misty nov. where are written down the
deeds Of those who fought and bled ana
died that IL might live,
The nations that have proved 20 Be
most abiding. possessed OF the most Vi
taIity. are those that have stood for
some good. definite thing They have
leone through stress and struggle. through
baptism of blood II that respect the
United States looms large and hright
among the nations OF the world How
often has her blood been let for prin-
ciple, AT what price has this nation
fought firm and true FOR honor, human
ity. and unity
Speaking af the immense loss OF life
on the Union side il the war. Dr.. Neibel
Continued on Page ?, Column g.