Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-28

iCYil sasi 4 60 one suggested that 1t
~ R%@ national memorial day
in honor of the Union dead. The idea met with
spontaneous approval and seemed to touch a
popular chord of sympathy in the hearts Of the
people north of Mason and Dixon line.
It required only a short agitation to bring the
matter TO a focus. which was accomplished by
the following order sent out from Washington:
HEADQ RS GRAND ARMY or THE REPUBLIC,
ADJUTAST GENERALS OFFICE,
446 liTH STREET.
WASHINGTON, ID. C., May ), 1868.
General Orders No. IL.
l. The S0th day Of Nav. 1863. is designated
for the purpose of streving flowers or other
wise decorating the graves of comrades 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 TINS observance form of eere-
mOny ispreseribed. but posts and comrades viii,
In their own way, arrange such fitting services
and TESTIMONIALS of respect as circumstances
will permit
We are organized, comrades, as our regula-
tons tell Us, for the purpose. among other
things, 'Of preserving and strengthening those
kind and traternal feelings which have bound
together the soldiers, sailors and marines who
united together to suppress the late rebellion"
What can aid more to assure this result than By
CDtrlS0Ing tcnttriN the memory OF our nerOlc
dead. who made their breasts a barricade be-
tween our country and its foes. Their soldier
hives were the reveille of freedom 20 a race in
chains, aud their deaths the tattoo of
rebelhous tyranny in arms. We should guard
their graves with sacred vigilance. All that
the eonSeerated taste and wealth of the nation
can add TO their adDrnment and security j. but
a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain de-
Tenders. Let no wantOn foot tread rudeIy on
such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths in
wife the coming and going OF reverent visitors
and fond mOurners. Let no vandalism of ayar-
Ice or neglect. no ravage. of time testify to the
present or TO the coming generations that We
have forgotten, as people, the cost of a free
and undivided republic
II ether eyes grow dull, and other hands
slack. and other hearts grow cold in the solemn
trust. ours keep 1T well a. long as the light and
warmth Of life remain TO us.
Let u. then. at the time appointed gather
around their sacred remains, and garland the
passiOnless mounds above them with the
choicest flowers of sprinCtime; let us raise
above them the dear old flag they saved from
dishOuor; let Us in this solemn presence renew
our pledges to aid and assist those whom they
have left among us. a sacred charge upon a
nations gra;itude-tho soldiers and sailors
widow and orphan.
III. II is the purpose Of the commander-in-
chief 20 inaugurate this observance. with the
hope that il will be kept up from year to year
while a survivor of the war remains to honor
the memory of his departed comrades He
earnestly desires the public press To call atten-
ton to this order and lend its friendly aid in
bringing ii 10 the notice of comrades in all
part of the country in time for simultaneous
compliance Herewith.
ILL., Department commanders will use every
effort to make this order effective
By order of JONI ~ LOGAN. Commander-in-
Chief
Official: Y. P. CHIPN,x Adiutant General
As a result of this initial movement the loval
people IN twenty -seven states and at 1s3 bury
ing places met on Nav 80 and conducted the
first memorial service TO the Union dead Such
was the eievatlEg character of this solemn
demonstration that Congress determined to-
have the proceedings Of the meeting collected
and bound.
1his - the origin Of Decoration day. which.
since ls6S. has annually been observed in the
United States
Probably at no other place in the country on
this first Decoration day were the ceremonies
more touching and imposing than at the M
tlonal cemetery az Arlington Heights near this
city. where buried y 900 Union soldiers
The services were conducted entirely under the
auspices Of the Department of the Potomac
Grand Army Of the Republic with the CO.
operation of the public authorities displaying
Itself IN military array and contributions Of
flowers.
AT ARLINGTON
The exercises were opened at o'clock in
front Of the Arlington mansion by Mr. W. t.
Collins. who read Gen Logan's order designat-
ing this day a. memorial day. Rev. Byron
Snnderiand offered a prayer after which a
hymn was sung Gen. james A. Garfield WIS
then introduced and delivered an eloquent and
Impressive address. The asseIblage then sang
patriotic song and listened to the reading of
an original poem by Mr.. j. C. smith
As the Forty-foarth Infantry Band PLAYED a
dfge thc procession formed and marched
around the gardens south of the mansion. the
children from fine soldiers and Sailors O-rhsn
asylum StrewinS flowers upon the graves as
they passed
. The Procession halted at the tomb of the IN
known dead aHl fervent PRAYER was offered
by Rev. j. c. BGti-r. followed by the singing
Of an appropriate chorus BY the Ar.0n Club.
Ee t''nb was dc -1'ated and the procession
marched 10 h Tag % 9 az the PRINCIPAL Gene
tery. where IT,: ceremonies were opened with
rrIyc~ by II ". Chas. Y. Kelley Of Chicago
i.r- Hon. - Paine OF Wisconsin read the
de'lca.ory address delivered ut GettvsbUrg by
adc-ess the graves throughout the cemetery
we're decorated-
IN 1869.
In the following year still more extensive
rreparltions were male for observing Deeora-
ton day. In thi-ty-one states and in 1886 towns
All cities the day was observed with impress
slse ceremonies. At Arlington. near this city,
the Ut gram was conducted under che auspices
OF the De- l-tment OF the Potomac rs follows:
National salute at 1 O'Clock Dy Col DuPOn ;
battery Calling assembly 10 order by ComT:,ie
Tnnothy Lubey. chairman OF committee OF ar
ranSerents. ami the Introduction OF COmrIde
Slammed A. Duncan. grand commander of the De-
partment Of the Potomac. Grand Army OF the
Republic. Presiden. of the day. Music-
''Mi-erere.' from II TrOvatore. by the full Ma
iiRe Band. tEirty-eight pieces. Prof Scala.
leader. PRAYER by Rev. J. T. Newman. D. ID.
chaplain OF the United States Senate. Music
lode to the Dead words composed
for the occasion by Dr. III. E,sIer.
Music by kTeutzer. sung by the Washington
Sxngerbund and AriOn Club, sixty voices.
Reading the general order Of John A. Logan.
commander-in-chief IF the Grand Army os the
Republic. ordering observance Of this dav.
By Comrade Timothy Lubey. A. 4. g.. Depart
meut Of the Potomac. Music-.-6iod Bless Our
Native Land. by the Beethoven Club. Poem
"0ur Martyrs, written for the occasion by MIR
Francis de Haes Janvicr. Nusie-.'SIeep Well
le Heroes Brave" words by DIR. H. Risler. sung
BY the Washington Sengerbund Grafton by
Col samuel = Fisher of Ohio. Chorus
PRAYER" BY the Arion Quartet Club.
About II O'clock fourteen street ears arrived AT
terminus Of the avenue railroad in Georgetown,
bearing battalion Of marine commanded bv
LIEUT. Col Haywood The fun Marine Band
thirty eight musicians, led BY Pro. Scala, ac-
companied the marines Alighting from the