Smyrna times., 1871-05-24
Memorial Day.
CIRCULAR FROM THE COMMANDER OF THE O. A. \. IN
DELAWARE.
HEAD QUARTERS G. A. R.
nRPL IN.

CIRCULAR FROM THE COMMANDER THE O. A. q. IN
DELAWARE.
| HEAD QUARTERS G. Ar
! DEPARTMENT OF DELAWARE
| WILMINGTON, MAY I8, 1871.
CIRCULAR NO. J.
Al tho annual meeting of the National Enca mn.
meDt OF the Grand Army OF the Republic, held in
! Washington CITY. May IIIh, 1870 the 3Oth dAv nf
nay was established as Memorial Day. TO be observ
eu annually by the Grand Army OF the Repu bic IN
COMMUNICATION of the deeds Of our fallen Comrades
len years have transpred since the great struggle
WIN armed rebellion began. and nearly Fix wears
nave elapsed since. by the vaOr and patriotism of The
soldiers OF the Union the great was letmina
led anu mat rebellion completely and fDaly crush.
co. Inc Nation Is now al peace il is iFae; no
smOauehng spirit OF rebellion can hope to destroy its
peace OF freedom; the men Who sIoOd shoulder 10
shoulder during four years Of iraTicIdal STRIFE and
poured out their blood like water, that our Nation
mig 1--we and be Tree indeed however they differ
IN lhelr political opinions, will ever remain the Ma
ton Jealous and waIchful guardians We all know
no" cheeriuiiy they responds the call arms ten
years ago, and offered their lives through a pure
sense of duty and patriotism that our country might
IOt be dsunIied and we know alas, that munv freely
gave their lives sacrifice in that fearful struggle
and is IN order that their heroic deeds nav not be
forgotten. but that the memory OF them may ever be
KEPT bright and green IN our hearts that their survIv
ing comrades annually on the Both day OF MAY gath
er with fearful hearts around their last resting pace
and pay their s"lders tributes Of respect while fair
hands decorate with beautiful flowers the humble
graves where sleep the bravest and best of the Ma.
tons defenders
In gathering, we will, around the graves Of our
iailen dead, aud while we think of them struck down
ny me arm OF Treason IN their young and beautiful
manhood and OF their heart broken wives sisters
Droihers, parentB and faiherless little ones; and
while our hearts are moved with anguish while
we Teh.ct upOG the causes Of these great Sorrows
and OF the men. who, blinded by macions or mis-
Iaken hate raised their hsnds reekng with the blood
oi Ihese brave men, against 5e ed land vet we
oeslfe TO come together with malice toward none
ana with charity towards all" and while over the
graves OF our comrades will strew flowers and
ahe" pledge our lives and energies for the vndica.
oh and perPetuiiy OF the great principles Of national
uhty and liberty. for which they gave their lives
suu' we would extend the hand OF forgiveness to
NOSE misguided but brave men, to whom owe all
these great Affections
Is earnestly requested that all the surviving sol.
oefs and sailors Of the Union, and the ctzeus gen.
orally throughout The State, will hold meet.
hgs and make arrangements for decorating, with ap.
Proprate ceremonies. the graves OF soldiers and
sailors who iel IN defence OF the Union, on Tuesday,
the 5Oth day OF the present month. In Wilmington |
one OF the most interesting features of the day will be
the unveIlIng OF The monument erected on Delaware
Avenue by the Soldiers and SaiIers' Monument As
sOciatiOn
The Commander Of the Department hopes that ss
far a. practicable business will be suspended on that
day so that all may take some part in doing honor
TO The memory Of the nations dead
In order that record Of the ceremonies may be
preserved reports Of all such ceremonies, whe FEVER
they may ne observed throughout the State should be
sent 10 Comrade S A. Macallister, Assistant Adju
tanl General, at Wilmington.
BY order of
DANIEL WooDALL,
A. ha- nfn nj n