Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-05-27

S$22fS}93SCV to cast a thought
- backward to the
tYoublous days Of the past, some one
suggested that it would be nice to hold
q national memorial day in honor OF the
Union dead. The idea met with spoD-
,taneous approval, and seemed to touch
a popular chord of sympathy In the
hearts of the people north of Mason
and Dixon's, line.
1t required only short agita-
ton to bring the matter to focus,
which was accomplished by the follow
ing order sent out from Washington:
BEADo'Rs GRAND ARMY OF THE hEPUBAC,
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE
446 FOURTEENTH STREET,
WASHINGTON, ID. @, May 5, 1868.
General Orders No IL.
L The Goth day of May, 1868, ss desig-
mated for the purpose of strewing flowers
or other wise decorating the graves OF
comrades who died In defease OF their
country during the late rebellion, anu
whose bod les now lie in almost every city,
village. hamlet and churchyard In the
land. In this observance no form OF cere-
mony is prescribed. but posts and COM
rades will, in their own way, arrange such
fitting services and testimonials OF re-
spect as circumstances will permit
We are organized, comrades, as our
regulations tell US, for the purpose, among
other things, @of preserving and strength
ening those kind and fraternal 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
cherishing tenderly the memory or our
heroic dead, who made their breasts bar
ricade between our country and Its ices.
Their soldier lives were the reveille OF
tn N chains.
deaths the tattoo OF a rebellious tyranny
in arms We should guard their graves
with sacred vigilance. All that the conse-
cf& ed taste and wealth Of the nation can
ada to their adornment and security Is but
fitting tribute to the memory OF her slain
defenders Let no wanton foot tread rude
ly on such hallowed grounds Let pleas
ant paths invite the coming and going of
reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let
no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no raw
ages of time testify to the present or to the
coming generations that We have forgotten,
as O people, the cost of free and undi-
vided republic.
II other eyes grow dull, and other bands
slack and other hearts grow cold In 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 passionless mounds above them with
raise above them the dear old flag they
saved from dishonor; lst US in this solemn
presence renew our pledges to aid and as
sist those whom they have left among US.
a sacred charge upon a nations gratitude
the soldiers and sailors widow and Or
phan.
Q. 1t is the purpose of the commander
in-chief to inaugurate this observance,
with the hope that it will be kept up from
year to year While survivor OF the war
remains to honor the memory OF his de-
parted comrades He earnestly desires
the public press to call attention to this
order and lend its friendly aid in bringing
it TO the notice of comrades in all parts OF
the country In time for simultaneous COM
pliance there with.
3. Department commanders will use
every effort to make this order effective.
By order of JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander in chief
Official: n. P. CHAPMAN.
Adjutant General
AS a result of this initial movement
the loyal people in twenty-seven States
and at 1873 burying places met on May
80 and conducted the first memorial
service to the Union dead. Such was
the elevating character of this solemn
demonstration that Congress deter
mined to have the proceedings of the
meeting collected and bound. This is
the origin Of Decoration day, which
since 1858, 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 anG
imposing than at the national cemetery
at Arlington Heights, near Washlpgt OF
city, where are buried $4,000 Union
soldiers. The services were conducted
entirely under the auspices of the De.
partment of the Potomac, Grand Army
of the Republic. with the cooperation
of the public authorities displaying it
self in military array and contributions
OF flowers.
The exercises we're opened at
O'Clock in front of the Arlington man
sion by Mr.. w. T. Collins, who reaC
Gen. Logan's order designating this
day as a memorial day. Rev. Byron
Sunderland offered a prayer, aftel
which q hymn was sung. Genera
James A. Garfield was then intro
duced and delivered an eloquent anC
impressive address. The assemblagC
then sang patriotic song and listened
to the reading OF an original poem by
Mr.. J. G. Smith. Az the Forty fourth
Infantry Bend played dirge the pro.
cession formed and marched around the
gardens south OF the mansion, the chill.
dren from the Soldiers and Sailors Or.
phan Asylum strewing flowers upon the
graves as they passed. The procession
halted at the tomb of the unknown
dead and iervent prayer was offeret
by Rev. j. q. Butler, followed by tn,
singing of an appropriate chorus by III,
Arion Club The tomb WAS decorate,
and the procession marched 10 the nal
stand at the principal cemetery, wher
the ceremonies were opened will
prayer By the Rev. Chas. y. Kelley, O
Chicago.
Mr. holbort G.. Paine, Of Wisconsin
read the dedIoatory address delivers
az Gettysburg by President Lincoln
After The reading Of the address IN
graves throughout She cemetery Wet
decorated
IN tho following year slli more eater
aivo preparations vore made i0r ul
aefslua peeenuNn uaY lu th.fty-nu
States aud ln iN ieWna anl li'.ea th
isY Was ptaagye# Wlth lmHlrssIFH eaf.
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