The Washington times., 1910-05-30
GRAVES DECORATED
At SOLDIERS HOME
Principal Address of Day
Made BY Senator
Depew.

DepeW.
Impressive ceremonies marked the
decoration Of the graves this morning
in the National Cemetery at the United
States Soldiers Home, under the di-
rection of George Ross, senior vice
department commander. The order Of
exercises began when the parade
formed in front of the Scott building
at 9.3O o'clock and marched to the
cemetery.
In the line of march was the Sol
diers' Home band. the committee and
officers of the Soldiers Home, Sena-
tor Depew, the Rev. Edward II. South
gate, chaplain Of the Soldiers Home;
DR.. Thomas Calver. Samuel B. DON
ely, Henry Wilson Post, C. A. r.;
Young Ladies' Memorial Choir, J. J.
Astor Command, Spanish War Vet
Grams, residents Of the home, guests
and visitors.
Tho assembly was sounded at 9:34 by
q Soldiers Home bugler. followed by
the invocation by the Rev. Southgate,
chaplain OF the home. There was a
solo by Miss Noble n. Potts. In the in
troductory address. George c. Ross,
senior vice department commander,
lauded the soldiers for their defense Of
the Union ana showed that reverence
should be paid those who saved the
Union. Mrs. Nellie B. Kelser sang the
Soldiers Home Memorial Song" An
original poem, The Veterans Dream"
was read by Dr. Thomas CalveT. There
was singing by the Young Ladies Me-
mortal Choir. A solo by Mrs Ralph 3.
Barnard, Barbara Fretchie Post, was
followed by a recitation by Miss Mary
Ford. Public Printer Samuel B. Don
nelly read Lincoln's Gettysburg address.
The principal address was by Senator
Depew OF New York He said:
Depew's Speech.
Senator Depew, IN his address at
the Soldiers Home. spoke in part, as
follows:
Upon this day, from the lives and
the deeds OF the men who fell in the
great civil var, from the causes for
which they died and the results which
they achieved, we take our step and
learn our lesson Of how to preserve
and perpetuate the union OF these
States.
We are one Of the most fortunate
of the z neraiOns Of men. While
others have passed their peaceful and
eventlesS lives without incident and
without history, IL has been our lot
to witness some of the mightiesI
events Of all time; to participate in
the discussion Of the grandesJ QueS-
lions which have ever agitated a peO-
pie. and 10 take part in the conflict
and decide the issue which settled the
destiny Of humanity and liberty upon
this continent
We look back upon the scenes which
transpired at the time Of the beginning
Of the struggle with wonder and amaze
ment. When its story is read a hundred
years hence. it will be impossible to
credit all its details.
Distinctive Feature.
The distinction Of the volunteer
army (the graves of whose dead we
strew today with fioWers) over all other
armies Of all times was It's intelligence I
Behind every musket was a thinking |
man On the march, around the camp
fire, in the hospital, and the prison. and
in letters TO friends at home, these men
discussed the issues at stake, and the
results which would follow defeat or
victory, with as much craftsmanship
and prophetic force as the representa-
tives in Congress. OF the million VOlun-
teer soldiers. thousands were fitted by
culture. ability. and character 10 be
Presidents of the United States.
These men gave way their lives and
took with them immortal glory. and the
gratitude Of endless generations They
may repOse in unknown graves south Of
the Potomac. or sleep beneath the sea-
and yet theirs is deathless fame
Poetry and eloquence will embalm their
memories and keep ever bright the
recollection Of their heroic deeds They
belong TO the Grand Army of the elect,
who. though they died before the cause
had trium phed, yet their blood and
sacrifice inspired those following to VIC
tory.
RooseveIt's Tnp Abroad.
1--WE, as a PEOPLE, have been profound
y stirred during the past few months
by the wonderful receptions which have
been accorded in other lands to our fell
low citizen and former President, Theo-
dore Roosevelt No such greeting has
ever been given to a visitor however high
his position as a ruler among his own
people and none such ever been dreamed
OF for one who, having retired from Of |
Hce. Is in private station in his own |
country The cordially extended TO |
Colonel Roosevelt by emperors and kinss
and queens has been excelIed in the |
enthusiasm and affection of their peo-
pies.
Every journal in every country is
asking: Why this demonstrations II
think II is because there was an awak- I
ening Of the world 10 the United States
and TO the possibilities OF American /
liberty from the triumph of the Union I
conception and the success Of the ex- 1
ecution OF the plan and purpose Of /
Roosevelt while President IN bringing /
about peace between Russia and japan /
captured the imagination Of all nations - |
His remarkable personality became q /
FAMILIAR figure in every household 3
When he appeared among them. he enl- I
bodied and represented, as no one ever 4
had before, the aspirations OF the com
mon people for that participation in /
their own government which is the dis
tinction and glory Of the people OF the /
United States.
Washington and Lincoln.
The revolution OF Il76 and the move /
ment to repress the rebellion Of 1861 I
IN their spirit and purpose stand to- I
gether today, and with choicest gar
lands we wreathe the forms and en- 4
shrine the monuments Of George Wash |
ington and Abraham Lincoln The one /
with a majesty Of character UneQualed I
in the annals Of the race, was father /
OF his country. and left to il the wisest
uttera noes which ever came from an /
uninspired pen-his farewell address
for its guidance and its preservation.
The other, In his administration, in /
his spirit, and in his death, fitly exhibits /
the devotion and sacrifices which pre- |
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