A Beautiful Memorial Day

Tliis d:iy ncvcr BkOUld bc Called "Decor.iton Day." The word deeoration in.'iy bc correci in a sense, bat it doe.s Kt sound appropriate, and lts use comveys to the mimi a wrong inipreeslon. The day is mie scl apart by tlic nation as a Memorial Hay, to strew with flowers the last resting placea f tlic dead héroes who imperiled their Hvea t li.it tlic nation ïiiiilit live ; to revive in Our hearts the love we bore tliein ; to teach our children whnt that love i.s ; to recall i.n our minds the decds oí heroína nul siuTificc they pcríormed ; and to instill into the minde of the risimg generatlon a feeling of patriotten and love of country, Impresaing apon tlü-in the necessity of belng ready, at any and all linies to go to the defense of the grand nation of which they are the proud children. The usual cxcrcises attendant upon the decoration oï the graves paased off without any lialts accordlng to the programma prlmted last week. Flowers wcre fiirnislicd in nbundnncc and eacli soldier's grave at the three cemeteiies was eovcred with these beautiful rays of God'fi suiishinc. glven us in Bucii varled fonns to deltght the eyc and tcach us kindly thonghts. At the 5th ward cemetery the ceremonies were very lmpreesive. Tlie regular services of the G. A. R. were performed ; tWO young ladies recited a piece, In an excellent marnier, and ('apt. Manly made a speech, Whlch was one of the best efforts of bis tttg. The cemetery was wcll Ulied with peopte, and the singing oi one hundred school children of the ward was ciitertaiiiin.tr. ïlie children marched (rom the cemetery to the electric cars and were taken to Forest HUI Oemetery to take part in the exercises tiu'iv The presence of children in the procession with their briglrt faces and sweet songs, was a pleasing feature. Tlie Ann Arbo-r Rifles, the Sons of Veterans and Welcb Post (. A. R., constituted the niarching column, and the children were conveyed in carrtages, as were also the city officials and other.s. At I'orest Hill feinetery a grand (in -s of flowers to the memory of the absent graves, was erected by voluntary giits of boquets trom friends and relativos of the soldicrs WhÓ sleep in outhern noil, or whose graves are elscwhere or unknown. At the grave of Col. Norval AVelch, whose name the local post bears, the prooeaelon halted, and Miss Nellle Mingay recited a poem, "Tliey Strcwed no Flowers on ily Fathr's Crave," In a nianner that betókened a thorough appredatlon of the piece itaell and in keeping with the scène and the occasion. The children also sang a eongthat was nppropriate. and well rendered. During these a (ctail from the l'ost took Flowers and went to each soldier's grave, which had been deofgoated with littic Union flags. This ended the afternoon exerctsea. In the evening Iniversity Hall was lillcd with people who camc to listen to the concluding exerclaes oí the day. Oommander J. . A. Seeslona preaidèd, and besidee the usual complement of officials and dignitaries, upon the Ktage wcre gronped one lmndred schooi children, ander the leadership oi Miss Lncy ('ole, assisted by Miss Annie liobinson. The 'Ncnis s of the evening wcre opelü'd by Commandcr Sessions in a few ïcmarks, which were followed with a song by the children, "Tent ing on the Old Camp Ground," whlch they sang in .1 nianner that" ndicated that the famou.s Choral Vnion of this city, uould have to look well to their laurels in the DOt distant future. Theee young folks know how to sing, that's certa in, and in arising and resuming their Beate again, they can already ghe the Clioral Union valuable iointers. Tliese little slngera gave cvidence of having been well trained, and honored thcinsclvcs and their teacher, Miss ('ole. by their excellent work. Scripture was read and prayer offered by Kcv. J. W. l'.radshaw, and "Cover Them Over with Beautiful Flowers," sanii by the choir. A reettation by Miss Nellie Mlngay, "The Itoll Oall," was glven in a manir r tiiat the audleaee appreclal (d, m 1 diil that yonni; lady much credit. TIiíh was (ollowed iiy another recitatiiin, by Miss r.ianciif Anspaeh, ent.itled "Saarching for the Dead," Into wliieli she threw all of lier dramatic powers. Possessimí a good volee and a pleasin.íí marnier Miss Anspach made a rery favorable Impreasion. oratiou of he evenlng was delivcrcd by Kcv. Washington Gardner. He reviewed the hbrtory oí our country, froin its bii-th, and cnili-avored to ilústrate to tlve yposger people present the value of the Uberty they cnjoy, and its cost in human life and hard earoed treaaure. Be adjured th-in to apprectete the gtba thelr iathci-s and forefathcrs had sacrificed so inuch to secure. The oratlon was an excellent one, Ulied with patriotism. loyalty to country, and ent.linsiasni lor the fnture of this great repubMc. Aft anot.her song by the children, ■Speed Ou Republta," the exerclaee closed with a beaedlctlon by Eev. .1. M. (ielsrtoii. Iu this eonnection it is tlghly proper to Bfeak of a thteg that is very annoyinu' at these meetings, viz : the habit some people have of getting up and Koio'S out durin.ü' the exerciaea. At one tjlme it was difficult to listen to the oratiön- especially in the gallelies- by reason of the tramp of people_and they were not all children. cither - who were to impolite as to dAturb othei'K thai carne to listen, by nettini; tip and Iravintc the hall. This thlng is a nuisance tliat good breedbog and good sense otight to put a stop to. If people eau not afford to remáis and listen to all oí these exercises wbieh last only a little over an liour, they ought to stay away entireiy. lt la Jnéulttngio speakers, annoying to others, and a mark of illbreedung for any one to leave a meetjng of this kind while the exereises are in progresa.