Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-06-12
Confederate Memorial Day.

LaS Saturday was observed as Con-
federate memorial day in our town,
and an unusually large crowd gathered
tn participate in the exercises and
honor the memory Of the men who
wore the grew. The first event of the
dav was the serving of. a delicious
lunch in the town hall by the local
chapter of the United Daughters OF the
Confederacy. This was 4 most pleas
ant affair, and was enjoyed by the
Nrt~i4ns the Sons of Veterans, the re-
turned soldiers and other interested
rersons. At ? O'Clock the procession
was formed. and, headed by the
Rohrersyille Band, marched TO the
cemetery There were about thirty
uniformed soldiers in lipc and they
made 4 fine appearance. Following
them in automobiles were the Veterans
and invited guests. Captain John hya
Peckenbaugh was chief marshal.
A large crowd was assembled al tire
cemetery, in spite of the threatening
weather. The exercises 1T the mcnu-
merit were fnsne1 hut before the ad-
dress began a gathering storm broke
and the people had to return 20 own.
They went to the town nal. where ne
address was delivered b. Rev. Dr.
Carlton D. Harris, tie popular ana
talented editor of the Baltimore South
ern Methodist. He is n eloquent ana
interesting speaker, and the large
audience greatly enjoyed his a-1feSS.
We regret that we do not have pace
TO publish his speech IN tuli as we
have been requested 10 do by a num-
Der of persons. DR.. Harris said, when
he starred his subject: No people can
be truly great who do not honor the
memory Of their heroic dead. But II
NAV be said that this is a sentiment,
It is. but it is a lofty sentiment that
| lifts men above Grass materla!lSm, the
| lure OF the dol.af, the mere getting and
HANDLING of money. !; brings out ard
develops the noblest qualities OF man.
Hu. FIR this sentiment and others Ct 4
| Cod-given character, life would not be
worth living. When find a country
graveyard oyergrOwnwithWeeds, oriats
and brambleS, whose stones are nall
hidden by underground, surrounded by
fertile and productive fields, feel that
the people, though they may be pros
porous materially, are lacking in re-
spcct for the dead and in the finer SEN
sibiltics of life. But when ! find
little country cemetery with well-kePt
walks and sodded mounds and blooming
flowers dcnotinP loving care, though
in the midst of poor and sterile sur
roundings, feel that here dwell a
people possessed Of the true clements
of greatness, who are a priceless aSSel
to the community and to the nation,
among whom | would gladly live and
bring up my family-forman's life con-
sisteth not in the abundance of the
things which he possesses.
In concluding his address, he paid
this tribute to the old soldiers who had
been so deeply interested in his re-
marks: To YOU veterans, whose ranks
are thinning, whose heads are whiten-
ing, who are lettering toward the sun
set, we take of our hats. May your
last days be your best days and the
dawning of a new day triumphant with
out a cloud, without a tear. And when
you are gathered to your fathers and
sleep besides your comrades, we will
cover your last resting places with
beautiful flowers and thank God for
the inspiration of your lives, for you
have helped to make this nation what
it is and what it will be in all the COM
ing ages.