The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-05-30
MEMORIAL DAY.
ITS DESIGN, SIGNIFICANCE, AND
HISTORY.
The Observance in Deer Lodge.

Inc observance In Deer Louke.
This day, May Goth, Is Memorial Day-the
Sacred Festival Of the Dead. In every land
and among almost all peoples there is rever-
ence, respect and affection for the last rest
ing-places Of the dead. In tho more civilized
nations this feeling reaches its higher devel-
opment, and the cemeteries Of tho more en-
lightened lands are cities Of beauty where
are reared the shrines Of sorrow. Tho mar
BILE cenotaph and the grassy grave arc alike
there 10 the portal where we bade the last
good bye to loved ones, and whether 1t IL the
humble mound or the splendid shaft that
marks the spot, matters not at all to the
heart when It seeks communion with memo.
ries of the one whose spirit has passed into
the unknown, aud whose mortal body has
there been laid away. Affection beauties
the spot as 1t may, and ii Is virtue that
as the purse may afford, there are reared i'm
perishable stones to mark the place.
But aside from this, there is the natural in
stinct to visit the graves Of the dead, and by
some act attest love for the departed 1t 10
not enough to designate the place-it Is the
Mecca of the heart where pilgrimage is often
grave or nurtured there in growth is . tssti-
monial and tribute. That which has so
long been individually done has developed
into . public custom, and its history and
marvellous growth into universal Memo
rial Day Is one Of the most remarkable events
in history. 1t was in 1868, we believe, that
1t had its origin. General John A. Logan
was then Chief Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, and by general or
der issued May 9th, designated May Both Of
that year as a day on which the different
Posts should-in their own way and by such
appropriate services as each might deter
mine-strsw flowers upon or otherwise deco.
rate the graves of their comrades who fell in
the War for the Union. Succeeding COM
manders perpetuated the custom Citizens
became interested; churches, Sunday schools
aud civic societies participated. The graves
of Union and Confederate soldiers alike were
strswn with flowers; then 1t became custo
mary to on that day decorate all graves, and
in nearly every city, town and village OF the
land Memorial Day il now observed rs the
great National Day, the Sublime Festival OF
the Dead 1t has been formally declared
legal Holiday by the United States, and
nearly, If not all, of the several States, and
its formal observance is more universal now
than that of any other Holiday. The Grand
Army of the Republic initiated the observ-
ance, and by its organizations, including
hundreds of thousands, and Its distinctive
and impressive ceremonies, is yet recognized
as the leading organization in celebrating
the day. but all societies and citizens gener-
ally are now participating. 1t has become
an established Holiday, and from Its peculiar
character, appealing to all people, embracing
in its beautiful observances the services Of
men, women and children, it will continue
in perpetuity long after the veterans Of the
Grand Army shall have answered to roll-call
on the other shore, and fallen into line with
the comrades gone before. For, notwith-
standing the immensely Of the present organ
ization, its duration as great body is limited
to but few years. Nearly every veteran
has crossed or is nearing the meridian line
Of life, and they will fall thicker and faster
now until thronged Posts will diminish to
handfuls, the lesser will yield back their
charters for lack of members, and the Old
Guard will muster no more under the starry
banner. But they, too, will be remembered,
and in the observance OF Memorial Day other
organizations will eventually lead.
1t wa, designed by George II. Thomas
Post, of Deer Lodge, although but recently
organised, to commemorate this day in full
form, establishing the precedent for ever re-
earring anniversaries, and to have public ex-
ercises in the Post Room. Circumstances
have prevented the full observance contem-
plated. Among the obstacles to the proposed
programme comrade ID. j. Mcmillan, Chap
lain Of the Post, and comrade VIM. j. Gal
bralth, who had consented to deliver the adj
dress, each believed at q late day that they
would unavoidaby be absent, and their
places could not we'll be supplied from the
limited membership. 1t was therefore reluc-
family concluded to omit the formal csremo-
NAL, and the Post will hold its memorial
services in the Post Room this evening.
The following has been determined upon
In lieu of the formal Ritual services: At
mid. day n National salute will be fired and
flags will be displayed at half mast during
the day. Comrades will assemble at the Post
Room, In uniform, at go p. m, and at p.
m march to the cemetery, where ranks will
be broken and the graves Of such soldiers as
are known will be strewn with flowers. A
cenotaph to the Unknown will be erected
and a short address delivered by Judge Gal
braith, who returned last evening. Citizens
are respectfully invited to be present, and
such ~ are disposed TO on the same occasion
decorate graves of their friends. The Post
will again assemble at p. IN. for the Ritual
services at the Post Room.
By another year the location Of graves of
all comrades in the cemetery will have been
definitely ascertained, and it is hoped there
will be an observance Of the day in all Its
features, in which the entire community will
participate.
As appropriate to the occasion we publish
below these beautiful poems OF the day: