The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-10
RELIEF CORPS NEWS,
Gleanings from National Headquar-
terS---NOtes from the Departments.
HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS,
AUXILIARY TO THE GAR,
DETROIT, MICH, April %, 1888. J

DETROIT, MICH, April %, 1881
General Orders No. s.
The beautiful and pathetic custom now attending
Memorial Day was inaugurated by the Grand Army
of the Republic 20 years ago. The consccrating Of
the 30th OF May sweet and sacred tribute so full
of halIowing influences, patriotic impulse and IN
spiration, has become day around which shines a
halo, radiant and pure, to which we bow III humble
reverence and the whole world looks upon In
wonder and admiration; day when, with the
comrades it is our holy mission to serve, we COM
memorate the deeds of our fallen, join hands IN
beautiful and touching ceremony, and together
bring our tender offerings of love and place them
above the breasts of the true and brave who are
bivOuacl1ed on the eternal camping ground
To the earnest, loving devotion of our grand or
ganization is attributed in small degree this
impressive observance, and in this, the year 1888,
let every member feel a personal responsibility IN
making this Memorial Day one that will be marked
in the annals of history. 1t should be so con-
secrated and set apart, so fraught with love and
patriotism, that every citizen viii claim 1t as
privilege to assist in way, and by some act TO
make il perfect and entire, and every child feel 1t
a duty to bring at least one sweet flower as an
Offering to liberty and freedom.
In your labor OF love, search out the spots where
lie the neglected forgotten If your father,
brother or friend rests among the alone and un-
known remember there is many another lionel y
grave i'll some quiet corner of our Northern church
yards where the sweet incense of flowers never
rises, and let not be overlooked or lett UNI
marked by miniature flag or simple garland.
Forget not the dear, brave boys whose lives went
out i'll the dreary night when alone on picket, nor
the many who fell In the Wilderness or on tlidFeu
fields of battle; whose graves are unWept because
unknown, over which eyes but the watchfui
stars keep vigil and no forms bend the cypress
and pine, while they chant their sad and solemn
requicms. Forget not these unknown, and once
year bring flowers, the purest and best TO lay sa-
credy down on the altar of their memory.
Remember our sister co-worlSers, should any have
fallen in the embrace of death and mark with be-
fitting respect and affection the spot where they
sleep.
Let the demeanor of every Corps and every mem
Der be such as to command the greatest respect OF
all. Let us rise up in the true beauty of woman
lnggrf Il F.ffF aIfNFNiA
dIgniied, quiet and proper observance OF the day,
joining with the comrades of the Grand Army
wherever we may assist them most.
To encourage and assist the comrades OF Ken
mond. Va, in the services of the coming anHlYer-
sgry, the fifth National Convention passed the fol-
lowing resolution:
Resoircd, That the National President, in her
Memorial Day Order, shall remind the Relief Corps
of the several Departments Of the pledge of National
Convention 70 contribute to the decoration OF the
Union graves of the batlefelds and cemeteries OF
Richmond, Va, and give them an opportunity OF
Joining III the same and that the National Treasurer
be instructed to forward 500 from the National
Treasury to Comrade Alien Junior Vice Com
mandcr-in-C Chief for flowers TO be used in the me
mortal ceremonies of Phil Kearny Post, GAR,
Richmond. Va
The sum appropriated has been forwarded to
ComraGc Allen; additional contributions Of money
or flowers viii be gratefully received and appre-
clated by tie comrades whose loving duty II Is TO
decorate the graves of the 600 Union soldiers In
the vast metropolis at Richmond.
These many thousands went out in the strength
and beauty of early manhood, and fell willing
sacrifices before the citadel of their am btiOn. lis
a sweet and sacred privilege TO send Offering TO
| their memory and though the grass has waved
/ fresh aud green above their breasts Tor more
/ than 20 Summers the love that deep and
/ holy and true has never grown less They fell
/ in the blessed cause of freedom and their names
shall live in song and story until the stars shall
/ sing together" and they shall have answered the
/ last roltcal in the resurrection morning.
! by command OF EMMA STARK HAMPTON, Ma
/ tiona President.
ARMILLA A. CHENEY, National Secretary.