The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1888-04-28
THE ORIGIN OF DECORATION DAY.
II Belonged to the South. but has been
Accredited TO the North.


A private letter from an old
Mississippi friend at Arbuclsle,
California, gives many pleasing
and sad "reminiscences of jackson
in the time that tried men souls,
in the long ago.
Among these are some facts re-
garding the origin of Decoration
Dsy--Aprll 26th-that day on
which we pay affectionate tribute
TO our dead soldiers, by wreath.
ing their graves with flowers and
enshrining their memories In our
hearts. Over s.these tents OF
green" the fragrant flowers are
strewn, the custom observed now
both by the North and the South.
With US it is day of sweet,
sad memories, of such as Father
Ryan wrote, echoing through our
lives a soft, sweet melody.
Now that we are working for
monument to perpetuate these
memories, and to honor our dead
soldiery, to bring them into his
tory, we pause to drop tear over
fallen greatness. OF our soldier
dead all is gone, but these loving
memories and the heritage of
honor, that is ours forever.
Legendary love is uncertain and
inaccurate, unsatisfactory and
doubtful.
A little while, aud poster,ty will
look hack for lis ancestral worth.
The monumental record should be
here upon which to base The teach
ines of tho future.
Longfellow, from cold north
ern cline, closes his poem feel
ingly:
Yours has the suffering been.
The memory shall be ours"
Our Memorial Day should be
observed; our monuments built
and our histories written. Already
much is lost beyond recovery.
The origin of Memorial Day
has been claimed by the North.
although it originated right here
on the banks Of the Pearl; April
26th, 1865, Sue Landon Vaughan,
the now California writer, being
the originator,
1t is published universally that
General Logan instituted the day,
and to him they lnscribe the
honor. As he has gone beyond
the s'hazes,' they make 1t his
monument. But to the South, to
Mississippi and 10 Sue Landon
this honor is due. Even South
crn papers have accorded it to the
North, where it is claimed as an
inspiration of patriotism. This
version remains uncontralicted,
as the origin has been forgotten
by many, and was nevcr known
to others. 1t was followed by
the dreadful defeat and narrowing
scenes OF the Hind of that dark
period.
Hence it has gone into history
that Gen. Logan instituted the
ceremonies OF Decoration Day
nineteen years ago; and the G,
A. r. approved and applauded
his action.
Notwithstanding this, there are
facts, memories re-echoIng Ii
memories chasms, of a lovely
spring-time, Of rich crimson anc
golden and creamy roses bloom
ing meath the clouds of battle
and strife, and whitening on this
soldiers mound.
Ceremonies of Decoration Day
the first observed IN the Unites
States, took place at jackson
just after the surrender of Lee
and johnson, 1865. 1t was IN /
small way, as all great things have
small beginnings. Yet, it is re
corded in the minds of many. /
mas just as the mists of the wa
were clearing away in the De
partments of Mississippi and Eas
Louisiana, just after the date O
the Taylor-Canby armistice.
Troops we're coming in iron
different points to jackson, to sur
render. The eva before the sur
render, two young soldiers, i
tattered gray with mourHful voice
approached Miss Landon and said
Hope has grown grey; every
thing must be given up to-moI
row. The Federals are comm
to receive the surrender of th
post OF the Pearl.
Their faces were deadly. Thei
expression was unutteraDle woe
As they startad for headquarter,
one butterfly exclaimed: "We CIV
up Southla1d--everythiug br
honor"
And the graves Of our patr
otto dead,' replied the autholesl
Ne have moufnful dur I