Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1911-06-08
Memorial Day.

The little green tents where the soldiers
sleep,
And the sunbeams play and the women
weep,
Are covered with flowers today;
And between the tents walk the weary
foe
Who were young and stalwart in six
ty-two,
When they went to the war away.
The little green tents are made of sod,
And they are long, and they are not
broad,
But the soldiers have lots of room;
And the sod is part of the land they
saved
When the flag of the enemy darkly
waved,
The signal of dole and doom.
The little green tent is thing divine;
Inc httie green tent is a country's
shrine,
Where patriots kneel and pray;
And the brave men left, so old, SO few.
Were young and stalwart in 'sixty-two.
When they went to the war away.
WALT MASON.
Last Saturday was Memorial Day,
and loving hands brought lovely flowers
to deck 1.-THE little green tents" of our
honored dead. Fifty years ago began
the war from which, among other good
things, sprung this pretty custom.
Fifty years is longer than the aver
age span of life, and so, of the many
who marched away but few are march
ing still, and these. alas, with haggard
steps and slow. Gone for them is the
springy step of youth and the firm tread
of life in its prime. Hence the rever-
ence that youth and strength now ac-
cord the few "Old Boys" who are still
alive. How straight and bravely they
marched away in 81, those who are
still living and few of those who faith
fully awaited their return remember;
the rest of US take it from history and
story and knowledge of life. In q few
years most of the eye-witnesses to the
bloody struggle will be lacking, but still
the rest of the world will know and re-
member.
To have fought and died for a nation
such as ours. or to have fought and
lived, is honor enough. With garlands
of flowers from lawn, field or wood,
with marble shaft or gifted pen or sill
yer tongue, one cannot add to the honor
that Is theirs. We can but commenor-
ate it and show the reverence that is
their due.
The exercises on Saturday began at
the tent theater, where the children
met and sung patriotic songs, and then,
laden with garlands of flowers, they
headed the line of old veterans to the
Jeffersonville cemetery and performed
the loving tribute to the "brave boys in
gray" who have answered the last roll
call. After decorating the graves of
the veterans, the few survivors placed
on the newly made grave of the late
president of the United Daughters of
the Confederacy, Mrs. S. c. Graham, a
boquet, in loving remembrance of their
friend, and down each furrowed, griz-
they performed this beautiful cere-
mony.
From the cemetery they marched
back to the courthouse where Judge S.
G. Graham, in feeling speech, intro
duced the orator of the day, Colonel ].
ID. Johnston. of Roanoke, who spoke
eloquently to the old soldiers of the
glories of the past and their duty in the
present and future
From the courthouse the veterans
went to the old Harrison residence on
west Main street. where a bountiful re-
past was spread, and from there to the
tent theater where an entertainment
was given to the soldiers. To some of
them the moving pictures was a new
thing, and their boyish wonder and glee
as the wonderful action pictures unroll-
ed on the screen was enjoyable to see
1t was a day that will live long in the
memory of all. Ideal weather prevail
ed and the planning and execution of
the program was well nigh perfect
Much credit is due the u. d. C. and
their acting president. Mrs. G. w.
Doak, for the perfection of the pro-
gram.
nhanro a..