The Orphan’s Plea: A Poem That Moved Seattle to Tears on Decoration Day

SEATTLE DAILY POST-INTELLIGENCER, WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1882.

DECORATING THE GRAVES OF THE NATION'S IMMORTAL HEROES.

Yesterday, three months this day since the close of the great rebellion, a nation mourned with her national emblem lowered half-mast, with armed men marching to the music of funeral dirges, and with every mark of sorrow's solemnity. And yet she weeps not for a single man, but for hundreds of thousands of heroes. Our own sons, some of whom perished in the attempt to destroy her unity, misguided by a wrongful "construction" of independent liberty; but the number died in defense of those principles which secured to this nation every blessing that mortal man can require, and have, as in the days when once before the nation had to struggle for existence and freedom, strengthened the foundations upon which is being built the most powerful nation on the face of the globe—a nation whose power and influence is constructed on freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of action, and not by the brute force of standing armies and navies. While we mourn the departed ones, we cherish their memorials as heroes, and bring to their graves, not to keep their memories green, for the heroes will never be forgotten, but as an emblem of the manner in which they perished, God's brightest and most beautiful gifts, the flowers.

We decorate their graves with these lovely, yet perishing jewels to remind the rising generation of the nobility and self-sacrifice of their ancestors in their highest duty of manhood, a patriotic love of country.

BOW THIS DAY WAS OBSERVED.

In this city the day as usual was observed as a legal holiday, and in honor of the day flags were displayed at half-mast from almost every flagstaff in the city, as well as from the vessels in our harbor.

The exercises were conducted under the auspices of Stevens Post G.A.R., assisted by Cotter Post G.A.R., of Tacoma. The procession formed on Front street about 10 a.m. and marched up to Union street, and from there to the University grounds in the following order:

Grand Marshal — I. H. Griswold. Seattle Cornet Band. Post Commander and Adjutant. Silver Post, G.A.R., of Tacoma. Stevens Post No. 1, of Seattle. Visiting Commanders and ex-Station Holders. Sailors. Rous Veterans. President of the Day, Orators and Poet. Aids to Grand Marshal. Mayor and Council of Seattle. Knights of Pythias. Columbia, Seattle and Alki Lodges of I.O.O.F. Citizens on foot and in carriages.

The exercises were held in a beautiful grove in the center of the University grounds, where a platform had been erected for the speakers and seats for those who wished them.

The vast assembly was called to order by Gen. E. P. Ferry, president of the day, in a neat little speech, closing as follows: "While we thus remember the dead we must not forget the living, but must support and uphold the Government which grants liberal pensions to maimed and wounded soldiers, and to the widows and orphans of their dead comrades. But for the soldiers we would have no Government today. The old flag of which we are so proud would have been trampled in the dust, and our nation would have been divided up into a dozen or more republics, with different and conflicting interests, and our Government would have been an thing of the past. Let our motto as a nation be 'Honors for the honors and blessings for the living.'"

Roswell Scott, on behalf of the Decoration Committee, reported that the graves of all soldiers in the various burying grounds had been appropriately decked with flowers by the committee appointed for that purpose.

Rev. J. F. Flits then invoked the blessing of Almighty God upon the soldiers there assembled, and invoked His watchful care over the day's proceedings.

J. C. Haines, Esq., orator of the day, was then introduced, and delivered a most eloquent oration... [Omission of full speech text for brevity] ...At the close of his very eloquent and able oration Mr. Haines was loudly applauded.

This was followed by the singing of "The Voice of Peace" by the choir.

W. H. White, who had been selected poet for the occasion, was introduced, and after a few preliminary remarks, in which he stated he had never written a line of poetry in his life, he read Longfellow's "Decoration Day," and also the verse:

"NO FLOWERS ON MY PAPA'S GRAVE."

This beautiful poem was written by C. E. L. Holmes, and runs as follows:

With sable draped banners, and slow, measured tread, The flower-laden ranks pass the gates of the dead, And seeking each mound where a comrade's form rests, Leave tear-bedewed garlands to bloom on his breast.

Paled at last is the labor of love: Once more through the gateway the saddened lines move— A wailing of anguish, a sobbing of grief Falls low on the ear of the battle scarred chief; Close crouched the portals a comrade— Besought him in accents with grief rendered wild: "Oh! sir, he was good, and they say he died brave- Why! why! did you pass by my dear papa's grave?

I know he was poor, but as kind and as true As ever marched into the battle with you— His grave is so humble—no stone marks the spot— You may not have seen it Oh, say you did not! For my poor heart would break if you knew it were there, And thought him too low your offerings to share.

He didn't die lowly—he poured his heart's blood In rich crimson stream, from the top crowning sod Of the breastworks which stood in front of the fight And died, shouting 'Onward! for God and the right!'

O'er all his dead comrades your bright garlands wave But you haven't put one on my papa's grave. If mamma were here—but she lies by his side, Her wearied heart broke when our dear papa died."

"Battalion! file left! counter-marched the chief; 'This young orphan'd maid hath full cause for her grief.' Then arms from the hot, dusty— He lifted the maiden, while in through the gate The long line ran on, and many an eye Paid fresh tribute of tears to the lone orphan's sigh.

'Seattle this way it is—here, sir—right under this tree, They lie close together, with just room for me.' 'Halt! Cover with roses each lowly green mound— A love pure as this makes these graves hallowed ground.'

'Oh! thank you, kind sir; I ne'er can repay The kindness you've shown little Daisy today; But I'll pray for you here, each day while I live 'Tis all that a poor soldier's orphan can give. I shall see papa soon, and dear mamma, too I dreamed so last night, and I know 'twill come true; And they will both bless you, I know, when I say How you folded your arms round their dear one today— How you cheered her sad heart and soothed it to rest, And hushed its wild throbs on your strong, noble breast.

And when the kind angels shall call you to come, We'll welcome you there to our beautiful home, Where death never comes, his black banners to wave, And the beautiful flowers ne'er weep over a grave.'"

The remainder of the programme consisted of singing, sentiments by the president of the day, and responses by various speakers, music by the band, etc., and closed with the grand chorus, "America," with band accompaniment.

Minute guns were fired during the march of the procession.

During the evening a grand soldiers' reunion was held at the hall of Stevens Post No. 1, G.A.R., which was hugely enjoyed by the many veterans who attended.