The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-05-14
Mention The National rriDzaa

more than 100000 soldiers Of the Republic, oil
/ which number nearly 10000 lie in unknown
| graves, their names having been surrendered
with their lives. In most Of these cemeteries
with their mighty host Of slaughtered braves
no general or systematic plan FOR the Ob5erV-
| anee Of Memorial Day services has been fol-
lowed. Ia q few at or near our favored cities
where many Union veterans dwell, sufficient
attention il given, and in some Of them very
small local Posts render, % the extent Of their
ability, tribute Of flowers, words and care; but
in very many Of them there is no service and
no decoration.
Once, Just before Memorial Day, my heart
was touched as ! gazed on graves Of my own
comrades in a Southern cemetery that had
never received attentions from comrades or
friends, and ] determined that the surviving
boys Of my own regiment should thereafter
have an opportunity to make those graves
bright with their tokens of remembrance.
Afterward, when / witnessed the splendid en-
thusiasm Of the people at I ~ North ON Memo
rial Day when bringing T hes-owiHg their
gifts or giving attention TO services, my mind
would revert with peculiar satisfaction to the
thought that our boys far away were not for
gotten especially those at AEdersonyile. where
lie 40 OF our good men who starved and rOtted
in that ever-execrabo hole of horrors, who
during all their dreary Imprisonment neither
saw nor partOOk OF one pleasant thing and
whose dying eyes were not blessed with one
sight of the dear old flag they were giving up
their lives 10 protect, 10 beautiful flags and 40
fine and fragrant bouquets upon their graves
were attestiHg how comrades Glove remem-
bers." The work &C the North will almost run
itself now, and is il not time that q systematic
effort be made by the Grand Army 10 grgndly
remember the boys at the South who neither
came home nor were brought home?
One movement, and good one, has been
made ia the right direction. Through the in
flHence Of Col. John G. Broatch, Past Com
Inander % the Department Of Connecticut,
resolutions toward this end were introduced
into the National Eneampment at Boston.
They were referred 10 the National Council Of
Administration 60 sleep there, perhaps) with
out being read 10 the Eueampment.
In his address to the Encampmeut of the
Department Of Connecticut last February Com
mander Broatch, who is a eOmrade without flaw
or guile, once one Of the best and bravest Of
soldiers, and ever thoroughly loyal 10 country
and comrade, introduced the subject and called
attention to the aforesaid resolutions. The
committee 10 whom was referred Commander
BrOatch's address reported q recommendation
that the resolutions be presented By the De-
partment 20 the next National Encampment,
and that the Department representatives be
instructed TO use every honorable means to
secure favorable action upon them"
One preamble declares that "the present
time seems most favorable for the GAR. to
take up the work OF making more prominent
recognition of the heroes Of the rebellion who
have been buried in the National Cemeteries"
The resolutions. in part are 20 the effect that
q the GAR. should assume the duty OF making
proper provision for the observance Of Memo
rial Day services in such cemeteries, so that
all members OF our association may feel that
they are contributing 70 recognition Of CON-
Tades, now 10 memory dear, who perchance
were shot down by their sides in battle or died
from wounds or disease while in service; and
that "a suitable recognition to the memory Of
our comrades who lie in the National Gene
teries on Memorial Day would be to furnish q
flag for each grave; 10 furnish eminent speak
ers whose reputation would attract an audi
ence to the recital Of the virtues of our heroic
dead, and thus receive lessons in that spirit Of
loyalty which shall recognize but one country
and one flag; and also 20 defray such Incidental
expenses rs may be necessary to make ths Oc-
clsion a Success"
Anything urong about those resolutions,
comrJdes2 Let our good men all over the
North, and South too, who once were camp
biyouac, field, and battle comrades Of those wo
buried so fur from home reply. Win our Ma
tiOnal Encampment and Council Of Admins
tTation do anything in the matter? Surely
they will they must, il the comrades demand
it, Should not the ball Do set rolling and Mt
oneeY II not started soon il never will be-
Aud shall we go 10 our graves biushing with
shame that we gave no heed to the claim those
comrades who fell and came not back with US
have upon our b0aoring attentions?
Let us hear from the comrades upon the sub
iect, and let the expression be so dcciled that
20 must be understood and have ehcct-H. s.
STEVENS, Chaplain, Itch Conn. IO2 Eighth
street northeast, Washington, ID. G.