Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-05-06
MEMORIAL DAY.
HEADQUARTERS
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
WASHINGTON. d. C..


The following is the General Order
(No. 16) alluded to in last weeks issue:
The season is approaching when in
clination and duty call the Grand Army
of the Republic to prepare for the due
observance of Memorial Day. By our
Rules and Regulations the Both day of
May is fixed as the time for these OBJ
servances. but by the same Regulation
it is provided that, when such day oc-
ours 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
Since the Both day of May next falls
on Sunday, it will be the duty of De
partment Commanders to ascertain
whether, within their several jurisdic-
tions, the preceding day has by legal
enactment been made holiday, and if
such is found to be the fact tC advise
their comrades accordingly; where no
such law has been enacted, Monday, the
31st day of May, is the time appointed
by our own law.
The Grand Army of the Republicans
born of the desire to do honor to the
dead who fell in the service of their
country's flag, and of the purposes of
the strong in heart and hand to them
selves become the servants of their less
fortunate comrades, and of the widows
and orphans of the departed. AT first
our memorial service had in view those
only that fell. during the period of actu-
81 l,,1 thn
by our association and the growing con-
sciousness of the importance for our
country of the work done by the hum
blest 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 noblest aims.
In this the MONDAY of the prosperity
of the Grand Army as an organization,
and whilst there vet remains to us as
individuals strength of body and of pur
pose, let the memorial ceremonies of the
year be observed with greater unanimi
ty and heartiness than ever before
There are more than 100000 comrades
now properly borne on our 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 come to US as Nation and as
people because OF the sacrifices OF
these our comrades. 1t has been our Gus
tom to gather in the churches of the
land on the Sunday preceding Memo
rial Day for such reverent worship and
instruction as BELTS the occasion. We
shall honor ourselves by continuance
of this custom. and, inasmuch as the
Sabbath is this year the bringer in of
our own chosen day. it will be appropri-
ate for Posts and comrades te-i invite all
who worship God and love their country
as well to lend their services to the in
culcation of lessons of patriotism.
No duty is laid upon the Commander
in-Chief to direct or advise as to the
manner in which the observances i'm
posed by our Rules and Regulations
shall be performed. He ventures, how
ever, the suggestion that the distin
gushing characteristic Of the Grand
Army of the Republic is that it knows
no distinction based on former rank,
but makes faithful service and honora
BILE discharge the sole badge of merit;
that its only name OF. honor is that of
Comrade, and that there is therefore no
place in the observances of Memorial
Day for the bestowal of special honors
the miniature flag and the simple gar
land is the tribute due, and the crown
fit for all.
By command of S. S. BURDETT, Com
mander-in- Chief
JOHN CAMERON, Adjutant General.