The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-04-29
MEMORIAL DAY.
monday, May 3 st. Designated by
Department Commander Lane.

commander Samuel W. Lane of the Department
of Maine, Grand Army Of the Republic has issued
the following orders in regard TO the observance
of Memorial Day:
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MArsE,l
AUGUSTA, April 26, 1886
The awakening of nature from its annual sleep
reminds US Of the near approach OF the time when
the beautiful and patriotic service OF decorating
the graves of the fallen defenders OF our country
should be reverently observed.
The 30th of May next, falling upon Sunday, in
conformity with the Rules and Regulations, and
the laws Ofthe State. Monday the 31st day Of May,
will be observed as Memorial Day by the Grand
Army of the Republic in this Department.
Let the grave of no comrade who served in the
army or navy in defence of the Union of the Uni
ted States rest beneath the skies of Maine at the
sunset hour of that day, above which shall not
wave the tiny flag Of our country, and have min
gled with its green mantle, spread by natures
heaven the fragrance of memory and OF love.
1t is also recommended to the Posts IN this de-
partment, to observe the 30th of May as Memo
rial Sunday, by assembling in body, when posi-
BILE, in some church and holding public services
appropriate to the day.
Let the department of all comrades be such that
all observers shall be impressed with the sense of
a sacred hour. that even the thoughtless and un-
needing, who knew not our dead, may realize how
strong are the ties which unite us with our de-
parted comrades.
the generations who will fill our places shall cease
TO remember the patriotic dead OF our country,
and to conseerate anew, year by year, the sacred
emn services; but should that dark hour ever
brood over the land, may the memory that a trail
Lor hand rendered necessary the sacrifice which
nlled these graves with the nobest sons OF any
race or age be first consigned to oblivion, and the
rebellion itself be obliterated from the pages of
history.
If the cause in which, and for which they died
was the cause Of wrong, oppression and injustice
and the annual re-consecraton of their graves an
insult TO heaven But their sacrifice was for
country, for the enduring principles of justice,
for the emancipation OF man from every yoke Of
bondage, from the darkness Of ignorance, from
the enslavement of conscience, from that CALLING
oppression which would fetter the press and the
free discussion OF human rights; they. fell that
government of the people, for the people, and by
the people might not perish from the earth" AS
you stand by their hallowed graves with uncover
ed heads and uplifted hands to render your silent
but tender tribute of memory and OF love, register
anew in the sacred chambers of the heart the
oath you took with them to defend your country
from all its enemies; and invoking the favor Of
Heaven, promise that the hours Of Memorial Day
shall be forever sacred and holy; that no holiday
revelry shall intrude; and that their erumbling
clay shall be eVermOre guarded as reverently as
in those first sad hours when tenderly you placed
them where now they lie.
SO observe the day, that the generation born
since their great sacrifice shall not enquire with
wondering eyes, why these services? but inspired
by the lesson of your devotion, and taught by
your example, shall learn that the sacrifice was
sacred duty to renew the conservation, again and
again forever, when your ashes shall for ages
have mingled with the dust of our comrades who
now rest
''In their little green tents
Whose curtains never outward swing"
Post Commanders are charged to promptly for
ward to these headquarters the usual reports in
regard to the observance of the day.
By Command of
SAMUEL W. LANE,
Department Commander.
Assistant Adiutant General.