The National tribune., 1891-06-18
now sH,tI Nryon14t NV ne Krpr7

Day discussion took place I'm tone deprecatins the
custom too prevalent here Of many citizens in gen
era either turning that Anniversary intO general
holiday, with games OF baseball and pcnics. or else
decorating private graves OF civilians to such an
extent that II n impossible 20 recognize a soldiers
grave by It's surroundings While many members
inclined TO the sentiment which would remember
thus beautifully our own W.RC. members who
have gone from us who gave freely TO the sacred
cause while I'm lie. others c0nended that by so do
| Ing the WRC. trenches upOn the privileges Of the
GAR, aud sets an example which the public -
not slow to improve upon. II vas argued that this
Is. should be dstinevely the soldiers day. and
others should lay aside their preferences and seni
ments i'm Difference To tile grand idea OF Memorial
Day, day Instituted for old soldiers to do honor
TO their fallen comrades and for the Nation TO offer
grateful tribute to its departed heroes Old and
young should join in this observance; the old. In
reycreniiRl memory; the young, to imbibe lessons
OF patriotism. Ii was observed by member that
In some Eastern cities a small flag floats constantly
over every soldiers grave. and on Memorial Day
no last resting place bears its tribute Of blossoms
save where hero sleeps; even n child, thread
Ing the silent lanes OF the city Of the dead may say
at once Here il soldiers grave" Lincoln Corps
finally adopted a resolution defeTring the decoTR-
ton OF deceased members graves until the Corps
Memorial service is held, which will be in July
The ladies earnestly hope that discussion upon this
Important subject may be aroused, and that the
W.RC., assisted by the press and loyal citizens
may form a nucleus Of public opinion which will
steadily oppose the Of the public holiday for
other than its original and sacred purpose
Memorial Day was well observed In San Fran
cisco. The weather WAS far more propitious than
for several preceding years not being so hot, and
N
dust aud clearing the Atmosp here. The ladies OF
the W.RC. had been busy since Thursday, making
Enrlnnds and bouquets. OF the latter nearly 1000
were prepared. beautiful monument to the un-
known dead covered with ivy and wTeathed with
Callas was the work Of Mrs. r. =. Bowley, ably
sisted by members Of Lincoln Corps. Avery hand
some anchor, made by Mrs. Steen, Of the same
Corps, graced the platform Of the hall The g. A X.
badge. Ia mHrigolds; the warsIip Colorado, with
hull Of callas and many other beautiful pieces were
made by the ladies Of Lincoln, Garfield, Meade,
and Liberty Corps. All wrought together Ia great
harmony, and were amply rewarded by the graft
tude Of the old soldiers which was unstinttngy
awarded them by ComTade Solomon, President OF
the Day. from the platform Of Metropolitan Hall,
where the evening services were held.-GeTtrude
Gallagher.
w.R.C. WORK IN ILLINOIS.
The annual address of Department Commander
William l.. Distin. OF illinois, RbOunds in praises.
directly and indirectly, OF the work OF the Relief
Corps OF Illinois With such soldierly encourage
ment Il II not to be wondered at that Illinois
women are making their plans broader and deeper
each year In their noble efforts to cover every field
Of soldier charity. Following are extracts from
this excellent address:
81 congratulate my comrades and eo-workers,
the WomRns ReiefCorps Ladies' ofthe @. "A. r., and
good work accomplished. Certainly the second
cardinal principle of our Order. Charity, has been
faithfully eIemplifed. The amount expended for
charity by the Grand Army during the past year
was Sl SlS; by the Womans Relief Corps IS $50 10;
amount turned over to Posts 81 1864.
Memorial Day, with its tender memories. Is
succeeding year by beautiful and impressive
vices throughout this Department, and we are
greatly indebted for the higher observance OF this
day TO our noble co-workers, the women OF the
Relief Corps.
1T has been my privilege during the year to
visit several Relief Corps and install their officers
duty which afforded me very great pleasure
This band Of women are our right hand in every
good work. The kindly word. the tear OF sym
patty. the helping hand extended To the needy are
beyond price. The Womans Relief Corps our
auxiliary are entitled TO our unbounded gratitude.
Their worth cannot be overestimnted- May every
loyal heart In the land render to them the full
measure Of praise they deserve.
An association bearing the title Illinois Wo-
mans Soldiers Home Association has recently
been organized and incorporated under the laws Of
this State. The object ofthe association Is to pro-
vide home for worthy widows, mothers and wives
OF soldiers and sailors. This association will also
admit veteran soldiers and sailors with their wives
ifthey found unable TO support themselves
and have reached the age Of co., The active mem
bershp Of this association Is to consist veterans
their families, members of the WOman's Relief
Corps and Sons Of NeieThns.' believe the associa-
ton and Its objects worthy and therefore recon-
mend II 10 your favorable consideration. IL will
be the fulllment OF tile great dream Of our beloved
Logan that a place should be provided for the
wives by the side OF the men who, through the
sufferngs and haTdships endured during tie war,
unable to care for themselves or those dear 10
them"
DEPARTMENT OF CONNECTICUT.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Department President Harriet
J. BODICE Is at present spending few days among
the Norfolk hills She reports pleasant time in
attendance at the meeting for the e1emplfcation
OF the Rityal At Palmer. Mass. which Depart
ment President Wales presided.
The Department Executive Board has appro-
priaied SIS for shrubbery for the grounds Of the
Soldiers Home at NorotOn. The Hospital Board
having contributed like amount for tie same
purpose, IL ~ expected that the grounds will
present an improved appearance.
Two Corps Presidents Of this Department have
lately celebrated their silver wedding. Julia r.
Davis, Of Corps %. Of Ansonia. and Mary l..
Matthews, Of Corps g. Of Bristol, last years popular
Instituiing and Installing Officer. Numerous
tokens OF friendship and appreciation were left I'm
each case by members Of the W.RC. and other
friends and both gatherings were greatly enjoyed
by all present.
Corps IS OF New London. reports itself as having
been royalty entertained by the Post on the even
ing Of the GA r. Anniversary the gentlemen doing
the hOnors, and more than this all the work. This
Corps has been very busy the past few months.
doing much good work.
Excellent reports Of Memorial Day exercises are
81 from Corps 10. q, 43 and A. Corps g. OF Sims
bury. participated ia exercises held ia three differ
ent communities listening 10 an able address at
each place. Corps q, OF New Haven, furnished
refreshments for lie own and Gen. Van Steinwehr
Post. Corps 10, Of TOrrngton, fed fully 500 men
after the parade All mention an unusual interest
la the day. and the increasing number Of children
taking part
Palmer Corps, s. Of winsted, gave an entertain
ment Memorial Day evening, which filed the Opera
House fuller than before in It's history aud 500
people were unable to gain admitianee. Tie pro-
gram consisted of patriotic reeitations, songs
by male chorus. and Kate Il. SheTwOod's " Me-
mortal OF the Flowers"
Corps -, OF putnam, Also successfully presented
the Memorial Of the Flowers" short time ago,
ia connection with an entertainment which Melted
the Corps some $50 and was a decided social sue
cess.-Jennie L. W. Smith, Corresponding Secre-
tAry.
MUSIC FOR THE OLD SOLDIERS
There has never been a band at the Ohio Soldiers
and Sailors Home. Sandusky. o., although Prof
Miller, veteran band leader, he there " ith enough
comrades 10 make up "A first-class band. What il
wanted is "a set Of Instruments and these the Board
Of Trustees have never their way clear To
provide, and now the Ohio Relief Corps will see
| what they do. The sum required, additional
! TO the balance ia the W.R.C. Home fund would
] be equal TO about two cents per member IL f.
hoped aud believed that the Corps will forward
their quota, which has been called for willingly
aud promptly. In General Orders. No. 2 Of de-
/ partment President McQuistOn. the call is as fol-
! lows:
| Attention Il called to the recon- mendation Of
| the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home Committee,
approved by eighth annual Convention, viz. That
each Corps start supply-tabe. rs the Soldiers
Aid Societies did in the old days that in the
/ time of canning and preserving each member Of
Corps may take her offering, from which boxes
I may he packed aud forwarded To meet the de-
mands OF the Home hospital Also the recon-
mendation that Department purchase instruments
for Soldiers Home Band and that TO this end and
/ To meet the necessary expenses OF adjoining the
Grand Army hail, each Corps forward a cash CON
tTbuion Of two cents per member to the Depart
| ment Treasurer, "A Memorial Day Offering to the
| men who saved the Nation. There IL tile usual
/ demand for well-stocked housewives, ~ the vet
Grams do their own mendng; Also. chair cushions
for hospital use. Corps cannot go Rmiss in these
gifts and II will be gratifying 10 those who have
/ contributed, and who may do so In the future to
/ know that Gen NJ. r. Force Commander com
mends the work OF the Ohio Corps Ia the most
! complimentary terms. We are enlisted for life
Sisters carry these veterans In your hearts you