The National tribune., 1892-05-12

With the execution of that at City Point they
have all been visited in their turn by this Post in
body, together with as large a concourse of SYM
pathizers we could provide for, or could gather
from near these cemeteries. Some have been
visited twice and three times, as circumstances
made il advisable. Since last year a small Post of
the GAR. has been organized in Petersburg,
which hereafter will have a special care of the two
cemeteries near that city-Poplar Grove and City
Point. But to round up the work we have assumed
il is desire and purpose TO have our ceremonies
at City Point this year. This does not imply that
will hereafter leave to sister Post at Peters
burg the burden of sole care of the two cemeteries
ia that vicinity. 1t Is but right that the GAR
Post located in the former capital OF the late Con-
federacy should have common care and equal in
in all these silent cities Of dead comrades
encirciinR this historic spot. We feel confident
that many, very many OF our comrades do not
realize the burden OF responsibility that rests upon
our little Post. In order that you may better APP
preciate the situation we desire TO call your aten
ton TO few facts and circumstances peculiar to
our situation.
The total number OF comrades in the cemeteries
named above onefith of all that lie in the Ma
tional Cemeteries of the whole United States. With
one single exception not one of these cemeteries
has ever been visited on Memorial Day by any other
Post than our own. Owing to the distance il il
never possible for us TO visit more than two, and
usually but one, each year. With our small num-
Der and the vast number of graves TO be decorated,
il is npractcable TO make details adequate TO the
work TO place even single flower each grave
involves more labor and expense than can
compass.
Comrades with these figures before you you can
form idea OF the task posed upon I-lse-
where there Is "A great body of citizens in hearty
sympathy with the day and the services, who may
be relied upon 10 see that nothing is neglected.
But here the work must be done by the GA. k.
almost entirely.
Tits believed by all OF us, we suppose that these
yearly occasions, when properly observed great
object lessons in patriotism, and that they
impress, as nothing else can, upon the minds OF
young people and our foreign born population
the lesson of that gigantic struggle paid for by the
blood and agony of the bravest and best. If these
| lessons are needed aud salutary throughout the
| country generally, how much more important is Ii
that In these communities where to say the least
popular sympathy Is not with the for which
we Tough the grave OF no comrade shall pass
| neglected any Memorial Day. Comrades we
are here on the ground and the burden OF the work
falls upon u.s. II IL ours TO that the observance
shall be such a. shall not only do honor to our
dead, but shall make impression on all about us
that the GAL is not an idle name that fraternity
means something. We are here 10 do part but
| the task IL too great for us alone IL Is not our
work alone. tits your work also, and confidently
appeal 10 you for generous contribution, assuring
you that whatever Is Entrusted TO Us will be loyalty
and wisely expended. and whatever reserve may
be left In our hands each year viii be safely pre-
served in the Memorial Fund, which we hone "a
| see reach a sufficiency 10 enable our SUCCESSORS
| the Sons and Daughters of Veterans-to perpetus e
this yearly tribute 10 the memory of the Nations
| dead.
| Contributions may be sent TO the Chairman O,
| Treasurer of the committee, p. o. Box 457, Rich
| mond. Checks and p. o. orders should be made
| payable 10 NJ. II. Lloyd, Treasurer. Prompt ac.
| knowledge for ali contributions will be made.
| AT a regular meeting OF Phil KeRrny Post the
| subject of the National Encampmep: being unde,
| consideration the Memorial Committee was in.
stTucted 10 embrace IN It's annual Circular the fol.
| lowing resolution:
ResolUed That Phil Kcsrny Post 10 Department
of Virginia. GAR, cordially invites the comrades
| OF the q A. r. attending the National Encainpmen
| at Washington to extend their trip 10 include G
visit 70 the City OF Richmond and the surrounding