Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-06-03
g. A. r. Pest Exercises.

y
common consent we turn aside from
the routine of life and pluck the fresh
flowers OF spring to strew them upon
the graves of our patriot dead. This is
a sacred day to us, for paying tribute
OF praise to the memory of those who
fell IN the hour of their country's peril
lighting for her liberties; and for offer
ing prayer of thanksgiving to the God
OF battles. who. through dangers un-
paralleled, brought us to glorious VIC
tory and still more glorious peace.
There are to-day more soldiers graves
to decorate than ever before, and the
veterans OF the war are ever growing
fewer in number. Attention, Tom Cox
Post. No. 1872, Department of Wiscon-
sin Grand Armyof the Republic! The
Adjutant will read Memorial Orders
from headquarters.
Adjatant (reads) = HEADQUARTERS
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, WASH
INGToN, ID. c., April 9, 1885, General
Orders, No. I6.-MEMoRIAL DAY.
The season is approaching when inclin-
alton and duty call the Grand Army of
the Republic to prepare for the due OBJ
servance of Memorial Day. BY our
Rules and Regulations the thirtieth day
OF May is fixed as the time for these OBJ
servances, but by the same Regulation
it is provided that, "When such day
occurs on Sunday, the succeeding day
shall be observed. except where, by
legal enactment, the preceding day is
made legal holiday, when such day
shall be Observed The Grand Army
OF the Republic was born of the desire
TO do honor to the dead who fell in the
service of their country's flag, and of
the purpose OF the strong in heart and
hand to themselves become the servants
OF their less fortunate Comrades, and of
the widows and orphans of the departed.
AT hrst our Memorial Service had in
view those only that fell during the
period of actual war, but the fraternity
engendered by Our association and the
growing consciousness of the import
ance for our country of the work done
by the humblest of our Comrades has
led us TO add to our roll of honor the
name OF each as he passes along. Me-
mortal Day is the fit occasion for the
renewal OF our most sacred pledges and
for the refreshment of our noblest aims.
In this the MONDAY of the prosperity of
the Grand Army as an organization, and
while there yet remains to us as indi-
viduals strength of body and of purpose,
let the Memorial ceremonies of the wear
be observed with greater unanimity and
heartiness than ever before. There are
more than three hundred thousand
Comrades now properly borne on our
rolls; let their search begin for the
graves of our dead that none NAV be
omitted in the ministrations of the an
pointed day. Great and manifold are
the blessings that have come to us as a
nation and as people because of the
sacrlilces OF these our Comrades. It
has been our custom to gather in the
churches of the land on the Sunday p1e-
ceding Memorial Day for such reyerent
worship and instruction as BELTS the
occasion. We shall honor ourselves by
continuance OF this custom, and, mas
much as the Sabbath is this year the
brlnger in of ourrown chosen day. it
will be appropriate for Posts and Com
rades to invite all who worship God
and love their country as we'll to lend
their services to the incubation of les
sons OF patriotism. No duty is laid
upon the Commander-in-C Chief to direct
or advise as to the manner in which the
obseryances imposed by our Rules and
Regulations shall be performed. He
ventures, however. the suggestion that
the distinguishing characteristic of the
Grand Army of the Republic is that it
knows no distinction based on former
rank, but makes faithful service and
honorable discharge the solo badge of
merit; that its only name of honor is
that OF Comrade, and that there is
therefore no place IN the obseryances
of Memorial Day. for the bestowal of
special honors-the miniature flag and
the simple garland is the tribute due.
and the crown fit for all.
BY command of S. S. BURDETT, Com
mander-in-C Chief.
JOHN CAMERON, Adjutant Gen.
Appended to the order is the follow
ing Action of Nineteenth Annual En-
Memorial Day is the
choicest in the calendar of the Grand
Army-a day of sweet remembrances
dear to every loyal heart. and any vio-
lation of its sacredness by making it the
occasion for frivolity and amusement.
such as characterize the Fourth of july.
should be treated as an indignity to the
Comrades who died that this country
might live
Co'nnadnder-Obedi is a soldiers
duty. 1t is not, however, merely in
obedience to the orders read that we
assemble here. The most generous in
stlncts OF our hearts prompt us to do
what the orders. from headquarters
command. This day commentaries a
valor on sea and ON land that is illustri-
trious. This day is eloquent with
patriotism which did not speak only
from the lips. This day is sacred with
the almost visible presence of those who,
out OF prison pens and hospitals, from
camp and Battlefields, have Joined the
company of those who
muster to-day upon the parade ground
OF Heaven. s Attention, Comrades! Sa-
lutte the dead. Post salutes and is re-
seated.) Friends. as Commander of
this Post, welcome you TO this public
service. To-day is the festival of our
dead. We unite to honor the memory
OF our brave and beloved, to enrich and
ennoble our lives by recalling a public
heroism and private worth that are
those who made their breasts a bara-
cade between our country and its foes.
Let us recall their trials, their suffer-
ings, their heroism, their supreme
fidelity in camp, in prison pen, on the
battlefield and in hospital, that the flag
under which they fought and from the
of whose folds they were pro-
NOTED, may never be dishonored; that
the country for whose union and SUI
premacy they surrendered life may
have the fervent and enthusiastic de-
votion of every citizen; that as we stand
by every grave, as before an altar, we
may pledge our manhood that, so help
'ts, God! the memory of our dead shall
encourage and strengthen in us all
more loyal patriotism.
SING "AMERICA.
Commander The significance of this
day is not without the Endorsement of
Holy Scripture. Hear what may well
apply to our Grand Army of the Repub-
lie and the flag.
to encourage by our solemn
service more Jealous and stalwart
patriotism. Festival of the dead! Yes,
though many eyes are clouded with
tears; though many hearts are heavy
with regret; though many lives are still
desolate because of the father or BROTH
er, the husband or lover, who did not
come back; though every grave, which
a tender reverence or love adorns with
flowers. is the shrine of sorrow whose
influence is still potent. though its first
keen nOipnancv hos bean dnlled-da-