Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1912-06-03
FALLEN HEROES
ARE HONORED
GRAVES OF EIGHTY COMRADES
DECKED ANEW.
FITTING EXERCISES MARK DAY
Prof. Briscoe Delivers Stirring Ad-
dress in Honor of the Boys in Blue
Services.

AS if in hearty endorsement of the
self-sacrifice and past achievements
of the old soldiers, both dead and
living, Memorial day was one of
bright sunshine. heaven smiling
down upon the living members of the
Grand Army of the Republic as they
decked the graves of their fallen
comrades, four score in number.
Since the last march, the number has
materially decreased, some of the
boys who walked steadily upright
last year being now numbered with
those whose graves received the low
ing ministratiOns of those who re-
main.
The line of march in the morning
started from the Plaza and proceeded
to Ashland cemetery, where the rit-
ual exercises of the G. A. X. were
conducted by Post Commander Mat
tingley. Mrs. Mattingley, president
of the w. r. c., read the w. K. c..
service. The ceremonies were i'm
pressive and brought many a lump
into the throat Loving hands
dropped flowers and placed colors
upon the graves of the heroes, the
old soldiers, Relief Corps, national
guard and school children participat-
ing in the services.
From the cemetery the line pro-
ceeded slowly to the Chautauqua
building for the exercises of the day
Here a large crowd was gathered.
about 1000 people having come out
to hear the words of praise for the
COnnfrV'c 6pfnn6nrc prnf orfc
well-trained chorus. of thirty voices
rendered several appropriate num-
bers, True to the Flag" being given
by the choir and "Suwanee River
by six little girls and chorus. The
latter of these numbers was especial
ly enjoyed, the girls singing the stan
"a and the choir and congregation
joining in heartily on the chorus. A
mixed quartet sang Brave Heart,
Sleep On" with pleasing effect. Mrs.
Perozzi delighted the audience with
her reading and Comrade Hicks
stirred the hearts of all with his rec
itation of Lincoln's Gettysburg
speech.
Prof George A. Briscoe, as orator
of the day, spoke on the cost of
peace, giving convincing facts and
statistics to show the great advan-
tage of the peace policy over the war
policy The old soldiers and the
large audience were charmed by the
patriotic utterances of Prof Briscoe,
who held them steadily from first to
last. Prof. Briscoe spoke of the
enormous sacrifice entailed in the
wars of the past, in other nations as
well as our own, pointing with pride
to the spirit that prompted the boys
of 81 to take up the cause of their
country, and praising the fortitude
of the women who stayed at home
waiting in anxiety for the news of
loved ones who often did not return
The speaker touched many a respon-
sive chord during his address, the
full text of which is printed upon an
other page. The exercises were fit
tingly closed with the singing of
America" by the chorus and audi
ence, the thousand voices joining
heartily in the national song.
Beautiful in it's simplicity and as
impressive as it was beautiful was
the marine service of the Relief
Corps, which was held directly after
the exercises in Chautauqua build
ing. With beautiful roses the ladies
of the Relief Corps honored the
memory of those who go down at
sea-" and as the flowers were borne
down Ashland creek the service was
completed in a tribute to the un-
known dead.
The basket dinner in the G. A. R.
hall at noon was attended by $50,
who matched stories of the past and
INDUCED in "reminiscences as if the
events of the eos were only yester-
day. The afternoon was given over
to decoration of the graves in Harga-
dine and Mountain View cemeteries,
the old soldiers going informally to
these places and paying their tribute
of love and respect to the dead.
Members of the G. A. r. and w.
r. C. are loud in expressions of graf
itude for the kindnesses and favors
bestowed by all who participated, the
Ashland band, Prof Isaac and his
splendid chorus, Prof. Briscoe for
his stirring address, Mrs. Perozzi,
and all other citizens who lent their
efforts to make the celebration of the
national day a success. The old SOL
diers were we'll pleased with the SER
vices rendered, as were all those who
attended
(The address Of Prof. Briscoe is in
type but is crowded out of this issue
appear in Thursdays issue.)