The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-05
DECORATIONS DAY.
The following order from Department
Commander Green was received yesterday
by Garfield Post, G.. A. R., touching the
observance of Decoration Day:

The following order from Department
Commander Green was received yesterday
by Garfield Post, G. A. R., touching tn,
observance of Decoration Day:
HEADQUARTERS DEPT OF KANSAS, J
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, :
TOPEKA, Kansas, May 2. 1892. J
General Orders, No. 2.
|. In accordance with custom estab
ilshed quarter of century ago, and OBJ
served with increasing interest upon every
anniversary, the thirtieth OF May is called
Memorial Day. 1t is the time of the tri-
umphant resurrection of nature from the
death of winter, signalized by fresh, frag
rant and exquisite flowers strewn along
the valleys and wrought in mosaics OF
beauty upon the bending hills As the
flowers are springing to new life we as
semble to deck the graves of our departed
heroes and bear witness that they have
risen in the springtime of our
affections and shall live forever
more. 1t is patriots day-a day OF
retrospection, Of benediction and of tears.
The present disappears; the past moves up
with mighty and resistless force, peopled
with silent hosts from crimson field and
war-scourged sea, while the surviving
remnant come with floral tributes in their
hands and again the dead and living meet
IN united and majestic ranks. The magi-
clans wand. the conjurer's power, possess
no kindred charm to stand between the
times of blood and those OF of flowers aud
sweep the intervening years away. It IS
the secret gift of those who marched and
fought and bled together III ''the days OF
81" Let us lay aside our labors and
observe this sacramental day. Let no
ordinary considerations of business pre-
vent a full and faithful discharge of this
solemn duty. If there are no soldiers Or
sailors buried in your cemetery, erect a
cenotaph to 1.-The Unknown Dead" and
wreathe it with your choicest
floral offerings in memory OF the
thousands who on the land aud on the
sea went down to death, and sleep where
no monument marks the resting place,
where no flag floats, no tears are shed, no
grateful words are ever uttered, and
where under the vigils of the stars and the
eye of God alone, they wait for their re-
ward.
Let no ignoble thought of the lowliness
of their station enter your minds, but re-
mem Der, that the humblest of their num-
Der WAS infinitely greater and more de-
serving of recognition than the most eX-
allied citizen who remained at home.
Let no selfish pride of organization bring
discord into your ranks, but invite all
who honor the memory of our heroic dead
to participate in the exercises.
Let due solemnity characterize all your
proceedings; let there be no festiylty,
feasting, or sports, but strive in all the
hours of this sacred day to observe aud
impress upon others the central idea of
the occasion, that the honoring of the ma
tion's dead is the guaranty of the nations
life.
H. While we thus mourn for all those
whom the fate of the war or the inexor-
able law of nature has taken from US, our
thoughts turn instinctively to that good
soldier, eminent statesman and steadfast
advocate of soldiers rights, whose I'M
timely departure less than half year ago
suddenly appalled, our ranks and left our
hearts desolate; our pride in war. our
and hope in peace-Preston b.
Plumb He was the great commoner OF
this generation. He wore the robes of
power to bless the people. His benefac-
tons were as the sunshine that gladdens
many homes. His highest JOY was their
happiness and welfare. Ii is recommend
ed that special mention be made in all
addresses of the eminent public service of
Comrade Plumb.
III. Preparatory services should be held
under the direction of the Grand Army
of the Republic, on the Sunday
Memorial Day, and full re-
port of the exercises on both occasions
should Immediately thereafter be forward
ed 10y the several post chaplains to the de
partment chaplain, Rev. j. +. Brant, Fort
Scott.
". All flags hoisted will be at half
mast, and those borne in procession will
be appropriately draped for the occasion.
V. Posts may conduct the exercises in
any manner deemed most expedient and
proper, subject only TO the general re-
luirements OF the service book.
VI Couveyances should be provided
or crippled and infirm comrades. that all
who desire to participate in the ceremon-
es may have the privilege of doing so.
VII All comrades are expected to APP
bear in uniform or to wear memorial
badge. By command of
ALBERT r. GREENE,
Department Commander.
A B. CAMPBELL,
Assistant Adiutant General