New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-11


fer day indeed in the American calendar More
,hon half the States of the Union have made It
nv law legal holiday. b common consent
thousands upon thousands of loyal people of the
land look forward to its observance with spirit
If love. tenderness and thankful appreciation
which pertains TO none other of the anniversaries
they delight to celebrate. The growing esteem IN
which il is held is constant tribute to the great
organization which instituted and perpetuates it
the Grand Army of the Republic. In no town or
city of the country is the day so warmly greeted
or so generally observed as in the city of New
York. for none is so rich in heroes, dead and
living and nowhere is this wonderful fraternity
so strong in numbers more sef-rcliant and
patriotic. In New-York and its immediate neigh
borhood more than 1000 veterans of the war,
recognized members of the Grand Army, are pre-
pairing for the ceremonial which their ritual pre-
scribes for Memorial Day of the year 1890, the
twenty third occasion of its observance
Less than a quarter of a century has passed
since this giant society sprang into existence 1t
numbers to-day within its thirty-eight depart
ments each covering State or Territory. nearly
half million of men. OF its youngest members
few have not passed the age which renders them
by law no longer eligible for military service.
while many of It's seniors had exceeded the limit
when the War of the Rebellion opened
II was fitting and most appropriate that the
Grand Army of the Republic should have its birth
place in the same city which was for many
years the home Of the Martyr President" and
that the bones of the Saviour Of His Country
and those of the founder of an organization made
up Of Lincoln's "boys in blue should repose in
hallowed places not far from the banks Of the
Sangamon.
ORIGIN OF THE GREAT ORDER
II was in Springfield, H., early in the wear
1865 that Mayor BENJAMIN Franklin Stephen
son. who had faithfully served during the war as
surgeon of the 4th Illinois Regiment. conceived
the idea Of an organization which might cement
in civil life the friendships formed amid the
hardshps and perils Of the wal. But he had
purpose beyond mere fraternity. He believed
that there was need OF such an organization 10
secure legislation for the care and education Of
the orphans Of dead comrades 10 provide for their
widows and children, 10 build homes for homeless
veterans upon whom the hand of adversely had
heavily fallen, and to aid the disabled and desti-
tute in their advancing years and increasing in
firmities. Thus did this farseeing soldier seek u
remove from the Nation the shame of permitting
men who saved its life to live. die and be buried
as paupers in the land they helped TO save. and
70 comfort and relieve the necessities Of these
dependent upon them.
On April 6, 1866, Major Stephenson. acting as
Provisional Department Commander Of Illinois,
mustered in twelve comrades as Post No / at De-
catur, in that State. The ritual was an imper-
feet one, viewed in the light OF to-day. but the
organization spread rapidly especially in the West,
and on October 81, 1866, DR.. Stephenson, as Pro
visional COMMANDMENT hief, called the first Ma
tional Encampment, which met iii the city of
Indiana polls on November 90 of the same year
Before this an Illinois State Encampment had been
held, at which General John NJ Palmer. DR..
Stephenson's old Colonel of the l4th Illinois.
elected Department Commander. At the first Ma
tional Encampment representatives from the
States OF Illinois, Indiana, Missouri. Kansas. Wis
consn, New-York Pennsylvania, Ohio Iowa, Ken
lucky and the District Of Columbia were present
Indianas great War Governor addressed the con-
ventiOn and predicted for the organization glOri-
GUS success The election of a Commando in
Chief resulted in the choice of General S. A. Hurl-
but. Of Illinois, and he was the first to hold this
post Of honor.
During the year 1867 great progress was made
in the work Of Organization. Posts were formed
In all the cities and towns of Importance and
Departments" were set up in the various States.
The second National Encampment met in Phila-
delphia on January Is. 1868. The order had
gained amazing strength in the meantime ana
the roster showed the existence OF $500 posts,
with membership believed to exceed 100000
of the best men Of the war. General John A.
Logan was elected COMMANDMENTS Chief, and 10
that gallant and typical volunteer soldier be-
longs the honor of issuing the first order for the
observance Of Memorial Day To whom the credit
should be given of originally suggesting the beau
tiful ceremony of decorating the graves of dead
comrades is not fully settled. II is thought. how
ever that The first suggestion came from former
private of the army, who addressed letter on
the subject 10 Colonel y. =. Chapman, General
Logan's Adjutant-General The letter came from
Cincinnati, and the writer, native OF germany
spoke Of custom prevailing IN the Fatherland
of assembling in the spring-lme ana scattering
flowers upon the graves Of the dead. lie advised
that the Grand Army inaugurate such an obscrv
ance in memory Of their dead. IT is much TO be
regretted that Authenticated Chapman failed
70 preserve the letter, and was unable 10 remem-
Der the writer's name.
THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY.
General Logan, however. warmly approved OF
the suggestion and issued this now famous general
order:
Headquarters Grand Army Of the Republic,
Washington. d. c., May D. 1893.
GENERAL ORDERS NO II.
I. The Both DAY Of May 1868. Is designated for the
purpose Of sfewing flowers otherwise decorating
the graves Of comrades who died defence Of their country
during the late Rebellion and whose bodies now lie In
almost city. village and hamlet churchyad In the
land. In this Observance form Of ceremony is pre-
scribed but and comrades VIII in their own way ar
range such Atng services testimonials OF respect as
circumstances may permit
We organized, comrades as regulations tell us,
for the purpose other things. Of preserving and
those kind fraterna feelings which have
bound together the soldiers and marines who united
10 suppress the late Rebellion" What aid more TO
this result than by chersng tendcry the memory
Of heroic dead who made their breasts barrlcade
between country and It's foes. Their soldier lives were
the reveic OF freedom chains and their deaths
the tattoo OF rebellous tyranny In We should
guard their with sacred vigilance All that the
eonsecrated wealth and Nation add TO their
Monument and security is but ntDg tribute 70 the
memory Of her slain defenders Let wanton foot tread
ths in.