The Portland daily press., 1881-04-26
HEADQUARTERS

HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MAINE, G. A. r.
Assistant Adjutant Generals Office,
Lewiston, Me-, April Is, 1881.
1. The Rules and Regulations of the Grand
Army of the Republic, Chap. V, Art. XIV,
provide that 1.-THE National Encampment
hereby establishes Memorial Day, to be OBJ
served by the members of the Grand Army of
the Republic, on the thirtieth day of May, an
nually, in commemoration of the deeds of our
fellow comrades"
2. i, In accordance Herewith, Monday, May
80, 1881, will be observed by the Posts in this
Department in manner befitting the day. Let
the graves of our soldiers be decorated with
flowers, if this be possible, and let the flag
they fought for mark every such grave.
3. Although the establishment of the OBJ
servance of this day is due to our Order, let us
not forget the meaning of the day, nor the SER
vice it may render in impressing lessons Of
patriotism and loyalty, especially upon the
young. To this end, it is earnestly recon-
mended that all civic organizations, which
owe their perpetuity and safety to the men
public schools and Sunday schools, who need
to learn the lesson of the day, be invited to
join in the exercises, the professions and the
commemorative services. If it be objected
that on former occasions, invitations of this
nature have been declined, let that go for
nothing. Our duty is plain to invite them
for not we alone, but they, have reaped the
benefits purchased by the blood of our fallen
comrades. If they shall decline to lend us
their aid in making note of that sacrifice, so
let it be. Above all, let the organizations of
militia, the citizen soldiers of our State, be
urged to unite with us in this observance. Our
first martyrs were they who as militiamen, re-
sponded to the first call for troops to defend
our imperiled flag. It is taken for granted
that the parents widows and orphans of de-
ceased soldiers will be, on this day, in an es-
pecial sense, the peculiar charge of the Posts
of the Grand Army.
4. Let US enter our solemn protest against
any dissertation of the day, by organizations or
by citizens. For one or two years past, it has
been noticed that by reason of the days being
made holiday, advantage has been taken Of
the fact to arrange base ball matches, predes-
trian and rowing trials and the like. And
this, sometimes, in quarters where it would
least be expected. The day is Holy Day; not
play-day. Let comrades everywhere unite to
condemn the attempt to convert it into day
OF diversion.
s. 1t is recommend that each Post endeavor
to secure the observance of memorial service
on the Sunday preceding the 9Oth of May,
with sermon from resident or other clergy
man, and that the Post attend such religious
service as q body.
6. Whenever and wherever practicable, it
is advised that an Grafton be delivered on Me-
mortal Day under the auspices of the Post
Z. AT the first meeting of the Post after
May 3Oth, the Commanders will have prepar-
ed, and at once submit to these headquarters
for reference to the Department Chaplain, the
report required by resolution adopted at De.
partment Encampment, Bangor, Jan. 90, 1879,
and promulgated in G. o. No. 2, series 1879.
The resolution is as follows:
RESOLVED, That the Department Chaplain be in
struced to collect information respecting the OBJ
servance of memorial Day. and report the same
to the next and each succeeding Department Con-
vention, viz:-NIanner of observance orations par
authorities, societies. military and other organfza-
tions; amount money expended, amount of money
collected from municipal authorities, citizens COM
| other information as may be Of value.