The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-28
DECORATION DAY.
The Graves of Our Heroes.
A Nation 40 Gather Around Them
Tears Of Remembrance to
MOisten Them-O6erings of
Gratitude 30 Deck Them
The Programme for
This City.


A beautiful thought t was, that OF annually visit
ing and decorating the graves of the brave ones who
gave their lives to the country The clang of battle
victory won. But many, many thousands perished--
mighty holocaust TO the salvation OF nation.
Around the eloquent tombs OF this departed host
cluster the sad but proud and grateful memories OF
a rescued people. II no marble pile tops each par
ticuar mound, still over it dwels an atmosphere
made fragrant by the breath of gratitude. and moved
10y the voice Of praise. Each grassy curve, beneath
which sleeps the soldier, speaks volumes IL tells of
battles fought OF deaths dared Of wounds received
and does 1t not likewise tell of resolution unninch-
ing Of bravery undaunted, and patriotism lofty?
The preservation Of the sacredness OF these graves
is the care of the COuntry-their decoration has
fallen into the hands OF men, once comrades in
with their mOuldertng occupants The Grand Army
of the Republic has assumed the grateful task OF
once in every year, in kind remen brance making q
pilgrimage to them, and strewing them with flowers
and wreaths and garlands. The words OF the Com
mandern-Chief OF the organization, addressed TO his
brethren, when urging them to the observance OF
the occasion last year, arc still opposite and elo-
quent:-
and other hearts cold in the solemn trust ours shall
Keep well as long as the light and warmth of life
remain to us.
'Let us, then, at the time appointed. gather around
their sacred remains, and garland the passionless
monnds above them with the choicest flowers OF
spring time; let us raise above them the dear old ag
they saved from dishonor; let us, in this solemn
presence, renew our pledges to aid and assist those
upon nations gratitudethe soldiers and sailors
widow and orphan.
''Let US also remember the gallant dead who
sleep in the far-on fields, near whom is marked that
saddest of words: Unknown"
The period of this annual visitation is again at
hand Sunday next the 30th instant, is the day set
apart for the observance.
The General Orders.
The following order relative to the ceremony was
issued from the National Headquarters of the Grand
Army OF the Republic early in last MONTH
GEg z1G AGS Nn or IT TIFF
WASHINGTON, ID. o., April IL, 1859
day S @ @ day S. 4 RenaSy My
lie to m the glorious deeds OF our dspated
in such belts solemnties the OCCASION
d d tie s RSs Pys hs Of s n"Sn
6
S ws the Sn had sas no a. obs IS
lect that alone of keeping green the resting
wOq SS SSo PohS Ss Rou6 S&
thank those patriotic and who gave their
S na n i3es nS & to make
yted to unite with the comrades of the Grand Army
everywhere, through whose generous lasting record
has been made OF the observance one year ago To the
indebted for authorizing the publication in book orm
that year computation will be made Snd pubshed ed:
as national recognition of sympathy with these memorial
H. It has been determined not to prescribe any of
number of posts may arrange together such fitting
mSnders viii use every effort to perfect or
the occasion The newspaper requested give
Ill Department and Post Commanders are specially en-
copy Of the proceedings in printed form SO far as poss
O we bs 9ks 3 RaSf Of H ay aSn out this his order
are at liberty to observe either that day Saturday the
Commander in Chief
N. p. CHPMAN, Adjutant General
Official WIN. T. COLLINS A. A. G.
And the following from the Headquarters OF the
Department OF Pennsylvania
REH OF g.
GENERAL ORDERS No. sGenefaPl APrlt Orders I 1sS' No
Headquarters Grand Army of the Republic dated Wash,
MES Day Is herewith te poss
OF TINS department for their information and guidance
either Mas % or 30 left to the discretion of the posts,
services more interesting than if arbitrary form had
The Grand Commander regrets to say that there are
many places in this department where there
charged soldiers and sailors such places and the noble
army and navy during the war by their enerons nnor
OF the Christian and sanitary Commissions aud other
that grave where soldier sleeps, be unadorned
with owers passed without some token of kind
The officers of local societies. or any other persons
feeling an interest in this good work, will please
steps Tor an Immediate meeting and organization in their
the assistant adjntaHt general at PottsVe 'A'0
S. the s deSSa9n Of the graves Of the dead
our work The widow and the and the crippled
and disabled who still survive appeal to us for wamest
Let thersfore, endeavor to extend and strengthen
ster 70 their Labor zealous that honor
with us the great Snd 5enecent objects Of order By
ROBERT B. BEATH, Assistant Adiutant General.
The following order has also been issued by G. A.
Parker, A. ID. c. Of the Southern District, Depart
ment OF pennsylvania, G. A. X. -
HEADQUARTERS SOUTHERN DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT OF
PENNsYLyASIA M IA G. A. Ar r. No s09 CaEsNuT srRREr Pm
Pianee with instructions from the Grand Commander Of
gnnep Of Posts G. is made in order to- e%rS S
the provisions Of General Order No Headquarters De-