Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-30

A.
and feel special pride in having been as.
signed to take charge of the ceremonies Incl
dent to this sacred day within the shadow OF
his tomb.
Nothing that can say can be more appro-
pirate than to quote from his General Order,
No. II, of May Is. 1868:
1--WE are organized, comrades, as our regula-
tons tel! us, for the purpose, among other
things, OF preserving and strengthening those
kind and fraternal feelings which have bound
together the soldiers, sailors and marines who
united to suppress the rebellion. What can
aid more to assure this result than cherishing
tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who
made their breasts q barricade between our
country and its foes? Their soldier lives were
the reveille Of freedom to a race in chains and
their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in
arms. We should guard their graves with sacred
vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and
taste Of the nation can add to their adornment
and security is but fitting tribute to the
memory OF her slain defenders Let no wanton
foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds.
Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going
OF reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no
vandalism OF avarice or neglect, no ravages of
time TESTIFY to the present or the coming gen.
erations that we have forgotten as people the
cost OF free and undivided republic. Ii other
eyes grow dull, other hands slack and other
hearts cold in the solemn trust ours shall keen
it well as long as the light and warmth of life
The beautiful custom thus inaugurated has
been perpetuated each year snd today all over
thus broad land wherever loyalty is cherished
and laying garlands upon the grassy mounds
which contain our '.army of the dead,
How swiftly time flies! Thirty years ago the
nation was convulsed with the horrors Of inn
pending civil war, which, during the four sue
ceeding years, brought into the defense Of the
national government nearly three millions Of
patriots. OF that mighty host that went our to
battle for the Union less than one-half now snr.
vive, and upon them devolves the duty of
upholding the cause for which their comrades
cheerfully gave their lives. We Min be trns IN
our trust, and it is with noble emotions thst
we, the survivors Of that memorable conAict
which shook the continent to its center and
attracted the attention Of the civilized world
annually meet upon sacred ground and nav our
homage and tributes Of affection to the MEM
DRY OF our heroic and patriotic Comrades who
have preceded us to the eternal csmn;no
grounds.
There are probably none in this large assem-
blage who cannot in some way sympathize with
rs a. they remember loved ones who sacrificed
their lives upon the altar Of their country; il
may have been upon the field Of battle: In Ioatb.
some prison pens; on bed of sickness in csmu
or In hospital, or, having survived the vicissit-
tudes OF war, have since succumbed to The
hardships and exposures Of the service. How.
ever 1t may have been, their deaths were Allie
honorable, and your presence here il evidence
OF the grateful remembrance in which you hold
those whom We 20 appropriately honor today. In
the glorious cause to which they consecrated
themselves they gave up their own lives, but
they enshrined themselves in the hearts of the
patriotic citizen: Of the republic which, thanks
the end Of time; and while we blend with the
| customary devotions Of Christian vorsbin
these impressive services let us cherish az
love Of country and Of liberty and union ID