The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-05-20

Gov. Cullom has issued his proclaim alton
designating Saturday May Goth as the
day to be observed for decorating the sol.
diers' graves. in place of Sunday, the day
set apart by Congress for the regular
observance of Decoration Day. When the
Congress by law enacted that the 30th
day of May Of each year should be
observed as Decoration Day. that body
must have been aware that in soma years
the date named would occur on Sunday,
and had it been the purpose to avoid tne
observance of the ceremony on the SAD
bath, proviso would no doubt have been
incorporated to that effect. No sucn
proviso occurs, however, and the tact
remains that Congress intended that the
day should be one of tributs-of reverence
and honor to the departed dead.
This being the intention. there
can be no valid objection raised
TO the observance of Decoration Day on
the Sabbath as we'll as on any other day.
Gov. Gear, of Iowa. has named the goth.
but the people of Dubuque propose to
conduct the exercises on the 30th, the day
named by law. In Wisconsin, the COVER
nor desisna.es Monday. the 3lst. but the
d.v will be as generally observed ON Sun
dav as on Monday. The great trouble
seems to be that. if held on Sunday, the
usual number of stump speeches will have
to be avoided. there will be no display
less fuss and feathers. The ceremony of
decorating the soldiers grs yes is. or ought
to be. of the most solemn nature. As
conducted during the past few years. it
partakes more of . sort Of holiday affair
The intention OF congress when
the law was enacted was to
throw solemnity around the
proceedings, which would educate the living
to proper remembrance of the deeds of,
and reverence for the departed dead-the
brave soldiers who died for thsir country.
Another point which is local one, and
that is the tendency to almost ignore our
county dead. Year after year there are
some who decorate our monument, but the
are short. On the other hand,
however. the graves on the lei
and are profuseiy decorated, whereas
there are scarcely any illinois,
ans buried there. Why not give more ct
tention TO our county monument
The custom has has been for several
years for Moline to call q meeting about
month ahead of all others. organize
appoint the appropriate
fact constitute themselves the
party to take charge of the decorating
and then quietly invite the other towns to
hitch on to the Moline kite and help make
the programme q success. 1t is good
enough scheme for Moline. but did any
one ever know of Moline. in any consider
able number, assisting in the Decoration
Day exercises at the Rock Island moun.
neutp Let US observe Decoration Day in
the spirit which was intended when the
day was set apart for the purpose. and
dispense with the stump speeches. etc.
therefor, addresses by the
ministers of the several churches, and by
such other means as are best beft-
ling the occasion. Let the floral offerings
rest on the graves of our departed dead. as
5okens of remembrance of brave deeds
and brave men, and around the exercises
brow that solemnity, that reverence and
.egard for the intent of the law. as will
how our patriotism to be of that higher
,rder which is born of patriotic hearts.
f this be done, there is nor can be no
objection to quiet observance Of Decors-
ion Day on Sunday. May 30th, the day
rdained by law for it's observance.