The National tribune., 1888-05-24
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
GleaningS from National Headquar-
terS---NOteS from the Departments.
HEADQ'Fs WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS,
AUXILIARY TO THE GAR,
DETROIT, Mich, May 9, 1883

HEADQRs WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS,
AUXILIARY TO THE GAR,
DETROIT MICH, May 9, 1SS9.J
MEMORIAL DAY AND THE W.R.C.
The veterans will 20 forth laden with Springs
brightest blossoms. to strew them in memory OF
their fallen comrades. May we who are auxiliary
60 the soldjer living do part to keep the mem
DRY of the fallen fresh and green. The beautiful
aud appropriate custom of preparing a memorial
for the unknown dead we hone will be continued;
let 81 mound or urn be filed with flowers in memory
OF the hail million men above whose graves no
mothers tears shall ever fall uTsisters hand tender
lydecorate Death has also entered the ranks OF the
Relief Corps; may we kindly remember those. Let
tender hands strcw the flowers that speak of 10y
atty and love. Let it be holy day, kept sacred
aud haiowcd by all.-Inzetta a. Small, Depart
meut President of Maine.
just before the battle of the Pyramids Napoleon
sOIcmnly said 10 his soldiers Forty centuries are
looking down upon you from the tops OF the Fyra-
mlds." Sisters, a thousand bathehcdS are looking
down upon the Grand Army oi the Republic and
the Woman's Relief Corps to-day and every can
mons mouth, ami the CLINT Of every sword and
saber, aud the thousands of graves IN mute but
electrIying language say TO US: " This day snail
be unto you for memorial" The grave is always
and everywhere sad, he il n monument shaft or
slab that marks the resting-pIace; but what mel,
aUcholy and gloom envelopes the unknown
tombs. 70 portray it in adequate lines would re-
qHlrc The deep, wild wall OF David over ms loved
Absalcm. To the women OF the Noman's Keller
Corps Is this trust cousecrated forget IL not Every
one Of these mounds contains martyrCd hero,
mothers son. Entwine the monument " un-
known with your choicest and rarest flowers, and
drop tear of sympathy for those that know not
where their loved ones are resting.-Ela Powell,
Department President of Kansas.
In memory, then, of their noble deeds let US cover
their graves with sweetest flowers. whose fragrance
snail be as sweet incense to our Nation, whose life
was preserved by their offering themselves sacri-
flee for her. And may educate children
that Mgmoria! Dnv will be to them the dearest and
most loved OF all our National holidays, the one
that shall longest occupy their thoughts, because
the little they can do is so little, compared with
what the " Boys in Blue" did for them ere their
eyes had opened 10 the sunlight IN this land re-
deemed aud hailOwed by their blood.
While Opportunity Is given US TO strew their
graves with flowers let as not forget those
" Who were killed and laid unburied in a thiclzet
dark and far.
They may rest beside a comrade in little nook
OF green
On a hill their skulls may wIliten and their bones
IN Il raviue"
These too, died for their country, and in every
cemetery let u 4 monument of flowers to the
unknown, or prepare some floral tribute that will
show that they arc not forgotten, though their
buTlai-piace be unIlnown.-Sarah NJ. Bradford,
Department President Of Illinois.
Let the women Uf-Michgan's WomRn's Relief
Corps assist IN the performance Of the sacred duties
Of Memorial Day. Let no one forget this sacred
trust, and while saddenng memories OF the cost OF
liberty and a united country IN all hearts, let
there rise a swelling anthem that e Our Christian
slain shall be forgotten, 7IeUer Weave the gar
lands and arrange the crosses and bouquets to be
placed on the graves Of loyalty. Teach the chill
drcn to reverence the memory Of the patriot dead.
Arrange memorial in memory of the Unknown
Dead
a. Where the wild flower blooms
Are their banucr-wrapped tOmbs."
Friends should be invited to place beside this me-
mortal their tributes IN memory of their dead on
Southern soil.-LOuise A. Robbins, Department.
President Of Michigan.
The sands Of Southern batGlefelds absorbed no
richer blood than flowed from the veins of New
HGmp5hire's sons. Their graves dot every GENE
terry, and the little memorial flag uueTs and waves
like a beckoniug hand in every town and hamlet
OF gH gHp of
looked nor let us forget those who fell on battle
heIi, Ia prlson-pen, or meath the ocean wave"
Prepare memorial for these unknown dead.
In THIS and other ways the Relief Corps can assist
In the sacred observance OF Memorial Day, and by
so doing help 70 maintain the standard Of loyalty
aud patriotism earned by our mothers for New
lamps during the war. 1t is fitting that as
they led should follow il the grand procession.
Their Aeroism Is proud chapter in the history OF
the war, and all loyal women permitted to re-
cord thelf nobility aud patriotism by their work IN
the Order Of the W.R.C.-Naucy w. Moore Depart
lnent President Of New Ham pshiEe.
In compliance with Rules and Regulations and
IN conformity with orders from National Head
quarters, the members Of the ". re, Department
Of Wisconsin, will observe Memorial Day, May 30,
bcTs of Order are hereby eu0ned to render all
possible aid and assistance to the comrades Of the
Grand Army ia the proper observance and services
/ Of the day. Where soldiers lie, let 10
Low green tent
Whose curtain never outward swings"
/ DC uniformed with flowers and 10 the unknown
dead who sleep II prison yard or rest on iar-ofi
/ shores,
Let flowers swing their floral bells
And toll their perfume on the passing air"
Charity Rusk Craig Department President Of
/ Wisconsin
/ Again We viii richly garland the last bivouac o
oar lameHted but immortal heroes, nor overlook
one solitary last resting-placc Of departed vic
/ tors. They have fallen, but the glory j. theirs
theirs the roll Of eternal honor. Each Corps should
accept the invitation Of their respective Posts to Mt
tend Divine service Sabbath, May q, 1888 II j.
/ especially recommended, 10 inculcate patriotism
and loyalty that not only the children Of comrades
! but ali IN your community be invited TO assist IN
&c Grating the silent tents OF the eternal camping
/ ground with nature chOiccst floral nementOcs.-
/ Agnes Hin, Department President OF Indiana
Dear sisters Of the Relief Corps be it yours e
Irvine sweet garlauds Of myrtle, evergreen auC
bright flowers offerings of our i'm peTshable love
for these fallen heroes who offered the service anC
sacrifice Of their lives for their country. Let "
I rcvereniy give one day in loyal devotion to theiI
memory let there be 10 needless expense dis
play, but IN q solemn and holy spirit let rs unite ii
keeping this day sacred and hailowed by decking
the grassy mounds above their last resting place
with offerings woven from natures choicest Jewels
Let the unknown dead bc fittiugly remembered
let some token Of love be prepared to place upoI
I mound or Shaft IN memory OF those vino fell upon
I the fields Of battle or died in hospitals or prison
pens, OF lie beneath the oceans waves and OF
whose graves no mothers tears can fall, daugh
tors hand plant sweet forgetmc- uots.-Emmi
Manchester, Department President Of Nebraska.