The National tribune., 1892-05-26
Memorial Day.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Will you
please give through The NATIONAL TRIBUNE
the date and text of Gen. Logan's order ap-
pointing May 80 as Memorial Day? presume
there ia not one In five who attend to decorating
soldiers graves that has ever heard the order
read.-HAMPToN TUNrsoN, Co. A, 18th Mich,
Fulton, Md.
Commander.in- Chief John A. Logan's order
instituting it was in these inspiring words:
HEADo'R RS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
ADJUTAYT GESBRAL's OFFICE.
4i6 FOURTEESTH STREET
WAsHISGToH, ID. g., May B, 1868. J
General Orders, No. IL.
l. The 3Oth day Of May, 1858 isdesignated for the
purpose of strewing flowers otherwise decorating
the graves of who died In defense of their
country during the late rebellion and whose bodies
now lie in almost every city, village. hamlet, and
churchyard in the land. In this observance no form
of ceremony Is prescribed but Posts and conn trades
will in their own way, arrange such fitting services
and testimonials Of respect as circumstances VIII
permit,
We are organized, comrades az our regulation
tell US, for the purpose, among other things oi
preserving and strengthening those Kind and IRA
ternal feelings which have bound together the
soldiers sailors and marines who united together
to suppress the late rebellion" What can aid
more to this result than by cherishing ten
derly the memory of our heroic dead who made
their breasts "a barricade between our country and
its foes Their soldier lives were the revei!ie OF
freedom to q race In chains, ana tnelr uealnS the
tattoo of a rebelious tyranny in arms. We should
guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that
the consecrated taste and wealth of the Nation can
add to their adornment and security Is but hitting
tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let
no wanton foot tread rudely on such haiowed
grounds Let pleasant paths invite the coming
and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners.
Let no vandalism of svsrice or neglect, no ravages
of time testify to the preseat to the coming gen.
erations that have forgotten, as people, the
cost of q free and undivided Republic.
II other eyes grow dull and other hands slack,
and other hearts grow cold I'm the solemn trust.
ours keep 1t well as long as the light and warmth
Of life remain to US.
Let us then at the time appointed gather around
their sacred remains and garland the passonless
mounds above them with the choicest flowers of
Sprinptirue let US raise above them the dear old
flag they saved from dishonOr; let US In this solemn
presence renew pledges to aid and assist those
whom they have left among US, a sacred charge
upon Nation gratitude-the soldiers and sailors
widow and orphan.
III. Itis the purpose Of the Commander Chief
to inaupurate this observance with the hope that
It will be kept up from year to year while sur
yiyor of the war remains to honor the memory of
his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the
nubic press to call attention to this order and lend
It's friendly aid in bringing 1t to the notice of COM
rades In all parts of the country in time for stimuli
taneous compliance Herewith
I'LL Department Commanders will use every ef-
fort to make this order effective.
By order of JOHN A. LOGAN, Commander-in-
Chief.
Oficial: N P. CHIPMAN, Adjutant-G General.