Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-05
MEMORIAL DAY.
A Circular From the Commander lin.
Chief Of the Grand Army.

" HEADQUARTERS G. A. r., l.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 9, 1856.
arsz1 NJ s, 4HDrEs'
MEMORIAL DAY. s.
The season is approaching when inclina-
ton and duty call the Grand Army Of the
Republic to prepare for the due Observance
OF Memorial Day. By u rules and regu-
lations the thirtieth day OF May is fixed
as the time for these observances, but by
the same regulation it is provident that.
"When such day occurs on Sunday, the
succeeding day shall be observed, except
where. by legal enactment, the preceding
day is made a legal holiday, when such day
shall be observed
Siace the thirtieth day of May next falls
on Sunday it will he the duty OF Depart
ment Commanders to ascertain whether;
within their several jurisdictions, the pre-
ceding day has by legal enactment been
made - holiday, and ii such is fOundt to be
the fact to advise their comrades accord
ingly; where no such law has been enacted,
Monday, the thirty-irst-day of May, is the
time appointed by our own law.
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 de-
parted. At first 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 If the Importance
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. Memorial Day is the
fit occasion for the renewal OF our most
sacred pledges and for the refreshment OF
our nobles1 aims.
In this the MONDAY OF the prosperity OF
the Grand Army az an organization, and
whilst there yet remains to us as individ-
uals strength OF body and Of purpose, let
the memorial ceremonies of the year be OBJ
served with greater unanilnity and hearth
ness than ever before. There are more than
three hundred thousand comrades now
properly borne or rolls; let their search
begin for the graves OF our dead that none
may be omitted in the ministrations OF the
appointed day.
Great and manifold are the blessings that
have Gomez to us as a Nation n as a,peOple
because Of the sacrifices of these our COM
rades. 1t has been our custom to gather in
the cnQfCne6 OF Ine lanO on UHe Ounudy
preceding Memorial Day for such reverent
worship and instruction as BELTS the occa-
sion. We shall honor ourselves by a on
tinuance Of this custom, and, inasmuch as
the Sabbath is this year the bringer in OF
our own chosen day, it will be
appropriate for posts and comrades to
invite I'll who worship God and love their
country as we'll to lend their services to
the inculcation of lessons OF patriotism.
No duty is laid upon the Commander-in-
I Chief to direct or advise as to the manner
in which the o~bservances 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 honor
able discharge the sole badge OF merit; that
it's only name OF honor is that of Comraoe,
and that there is therefore no place in the
ovservances of Memorial Day for the be-
stowal 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,
Commander-in-Chief
JOHN CAMERON, Adjutant General.