The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-05-29
THE NATIONAL ORDER.
HEADQUARTERS


MINNEAPOLIS, MINI, April 10, 1883. }
GENERAL ORDERS, Mol
May3O, 1888, will mark the twentieth
annual recurrence OF Memorial Day; {
day set apart by the people OF u renewed
and perpetuated Union in remembrance
OF those who, in life, offered all in dc
fence OF the national integrity and
honor. Although originally instituted
by the Grand Army OF the Republic, rs
means OF Strengthening and preserv'
ing the fraternal ties incident to oul
union of purpose and effort in noble
cause, the beautiful ceremonial born Of
our .comradeship has been SO widely
adopted by the loyal hearts OF the land
that Memorial Day has become great
national festival in which tender mem.
cries and patriotic purposes rule the
hour.
The spirit and customs of our order
impose upon all comrades the duty Of
participating in the public recognition
OF the day. So far as practicable the
usual vocations will be suspended and
the occasion marked by some appropri-
ate observance. Though legally holt
day in many Departments it is to be
jealously guarded from all appearance Of
merry making, and from all forms OF
frivolous or undigniiied behavior, Let
it not be forgotten that our comrades
dead were earnest, manly men, who
voluntarily faced death for cause
worthy OF the sacrifice.
Wherever practicable, posts are di-
rected to attend divine worship in bodies
on the Sabbath preceding Memorial Day.
The clergy are invited to facilitate such
attendance and to so order the services
OF the day as to promote general public
interest in the coming anniversary. Let
all known graves of the men who fought
for the Union, on land or sea, be marked
by the pure blossoms offspring, which in
MI tongues speak the language Of graft
tude and love. Let the people be assem-
bled for special memorial services where
eloquence and song shall unite to teach
and exemplify the duties and rewards OF
patriotism; and so pay "the better
angels OF our nature" touching 1.-THE
tender chords OF memory which stretch
from every battlefield and patriot grave
to every living heart and hearthstone all
over this broad land, so swell the chorus
OF the Union that no discord shall ever
again mar its glorious harmonies.
By command OF JOHN 7. REA,
Commander.in-Chief.
DANIEL FISH, Adiutant General.
WEST VIRGINIA STATE ORDER.
HEADQUARTERS 1
DEPARTMENT OF WEsT'VIRaISIA,
GRAND Army OF TIE REPUBLIC,
FAIRMoST, May 4, 1888.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. ..
Enclosed herewith will be found Gem
eral Orders, No. Z, from National Head
quarters relative to Memorial Day, May
S0th.
1t is earnestly desired that all Posts
OF this Department observe this day as
is BETTING the occasion. This isnot the
day for "sham battles" and frivolous
amusements; rather, in the solemn
words OF our Service Book, it is "the
festival OF our dead" Let no grave OF a
Union soldier be neglected, but strew
each one with natures choicest offerings
beautiful flowers.
As fur as possible, each Post should
hold u memorial service at some conye-
nient place on Sunday, May "a, Ar
can always be made with
the clergy and other patriotic citizens TO
assist in these exercises.
Post Chaplains will make report OF all
memorial exercises and services at ceme-