The National tribune., 1882-05-20
mander. Post No. 81, New Brunswick; H. d,
3. Lelferts, Commander.
MEMORIAL DAY IN PENNSYLVANIA


MEMORIAL DAY IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Special Correspondence National Tribune.
PHILADELPHIA, May 15.-Col. J. NJ. Wander
slice, Commander of the Department OF Penn
sylvania. has issued the following order in refer
ence to the Observance of Memorial Day;
COMRADES: Tuesday, May Both, will be OBJ
served as our annual Memorial Day, when we
will go out to the graves of our forty thousand
follow-soldiers, who silently bivouac within the
borders of Pennsylvania, and decorate them
with the fresh flowers Of the spring time. In
more than 4 thousand burial grounds in our
State-in the crowded cemetery OF the city, in
the quiet graveyard of the village, in the shade
Of the valley, in the sunshine on the hillside
rest our soldier dead, brought from the fields Of
their glory, where they fell in the battles
storm, or who, stricken with wounds or wasted
with disease, came back from their campaigns
to be mustered OUT and to sleep their last
sleep amidst the scenes Of their childhood,
among kindred and friends Remit entirely
the cares and labors of life for the day, and de-
vote it to our beautiful and impressive COM
memorative ceremonies. Diligently seek cut
every comrades grave in our State, however
humble, however secluded; lay upon it the
laurel and rose; plant above it the flag for
whose honor he died, now the standard Of Il
Nation, united and prosperous 1t is but a
simple act, but the spirit that prompts it is
significant. No elaborate monument, TO bronze
tablet records the heroic deeds, the patriotic
services, the unselfsh sacrifices of those at
whose graves we pay Our' floral tribute. But,
Il l. I. d! l.
mounds, there will arise vivid memories of the
ardent, brave, courageous, genial, and generous
ones who lie beneath them. To them life was
dear, the ties Of home sacred, the hopes Of the
future bright, but moved by the purest patri-
otisn they voluntarily Tolinqujshcd all for their
cOuntry's cansc, realizing we'll the hardshiPs
TO be endured the pcriIs to be encountered, the
prospects Of life that would be blasted. and
yet these whose graves we shall decorate are
but few of tho mighty hosts of the fallen.
Legions rest upon the war-felds Of the South,
in the glades Of the forest, by the streams along
which they fought, on the hills on which they
blcd; and the sun of our Memorial Day viii
set upon their graves, unmatched and UndecOr-
ated, save by the wildwood flower and the un-
trained vine In a million des0Iate homes,
North and South, there are grief and mourning
for the volunteer who came not back from the
battle with the tattered flag under whose folds
he marched away in the pride and strength of
vigorous and hopeful youth. The services of
Decoration Day are not then for vain display,
but have higher and Dobler purpose in re-
minding US of the priceless ransom paid for the
integrity of our Republic and its institutions.
May all our people participate in the beautiful
ceremonies. May the young, especially, be
impressed with their meaning and significance.
Nay we, moved by the .ad memories awakened,
return to our homes st the close of the day
thrilled with a purer patriotism, melted to a
truer devotion to our country, and with o
tirmer determination that OUTS shall be the
most perfect Government of the people, by
the people, for the people" and that our var
rior dead shall not have died in vain.