Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-05-10
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 10.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 10.
1. In compliance with the Rules and
Regulations of the Grand Army of the
Republic, Wednesday, May 30th, will be
observed as Memorial Day.
The National Encampment adopted a
resolution at its session at Baltimore
declaring that this holy day should be
called Memorial and not Decoration
Day.
2. l earnestly request all ministers
and priests of every denomination to de-
liver appropriate sermons or lectures,
calling attention to the duties of the
day-the sacrifices made and the lessons
taught-on Sunday, May 9th. l hereby
command Posts of the Grand Army OF
the Republic to attend said services, in
uniform. In cities and villages where
it will be practicable, l recommend
union services.
8. l recommend that the Grand Army
take especial steps to secure the pres
ence and aid of the children and youth
of the country in the ceremony OF
strewing flowers, and otherwise honor
ing the dead, and to that end hope that
all public and private schools, colleges
anu Will Uc ClDcOu
4. Let the hand of Fraternity and
Charity be extended TO the widows and
orphans of our dead heroes. Seek them
out; distinguish them from all others,
aud teach them that OH this day the
Grand Army mourns with them the
loss of the precious ones whom they
gave to save the nation.
). | recommend that the loyal women
of the nation be invited to aid In thl
work. They will toll with willing hands
and grateful hearts. Though Others
may have forgotten the dead, the wo'
men have never ceased to remember
them and treasure in their pure hearts
their heroic services.
&. The marvellous growth of the order
throughout the country will be new
incentive to US to see that no grave is
neglected. l trust every spot where a
soldier lies buried will be strewn with
the sweet howers of Spring time. and
urge the Posts of the Grand Army to
take immediate steps to remove every
soldiers remains from the Potter's field
or paupers' burying ground and renter
them in Grand Army grounds. We can
not perform this ceremony in the proper
manner unless We have done our duty
to the living and the dead.
s. with Malice toward none and
Charity for all," let US unite in this Sd
cred duty. Let the choicest, falrest and
most fragrant flowers be culled, and the
soft white hands of the loyal women of
| the land entwine the wreathe and FASH
ion the cross and crown, dropping here
and there, like the dew, tear for the
dead. Let the choicest gardens be desc,
lated that the memory of the Union sol
dier may not wither. We will lift once
more the curtain that hides the dark
past, and see our fallen martyrs die for
| liberty. They gave their lives a cheer
full sacrifice. They died in the hospital
beds of pain before the flag was torn
with shot and shell: on the battle field
in the fierce maddening charge; on the
picket line under the leafy trees close to
the babbling brook; in the prison-pen
where no plying voice was heard, and
no hand reached out to save; in the
swamps, fleeing from fate worse than
death, and some went down in the
mighty deep where the wild waves lash
ceaselessly over their bones Many sleep
in graves marked unknown. but the
iOflnS hooi so duu odSci udhuS Vi 3 sisIo
full people will cast flowers upon the
soft green sward that covers their dust.
Let the gates of all the cemeteries in the
land open wide and their guardians rem
der all the aid In their power in this noble
work.
Comrades. a few short years feeting
kswiftly by, and our children will be call
ed upon to perform this duty. Let US so
live, that the lessons Of memorial day