The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-04-07
DECORATION DAY.
Department Commaader Kelley Issues
General Order In Regard to the Observ-
ance of Decoration Day.

Department Commander Kelley Issues y
General Order In Regard to the observ-
ance of Decoration Day.
Commander Kelley, of the G. A. K,
has issued general order in regard to
the observance of memorial day, as
follows:
quarter OF 4 century has passed since the
Both day of May was set apart and designated
as the day upon which TO strcw with flowers or
otherwise decorate the graves Of comrades
who died in defense Of their country during the
late rebellion and whose bodies lie in almost
every city, village and hamlet ohurch-yard in
the land
On the 5th day Of May. 1893 during the al
ministration OF Comrade John A Logan as
commsnder-in-chief Of the Grand Army OF the
Republic, the first order was issued upon TINS
subject In this order the commandments
said: TT is the purpose Of the commander in
chief 70 inaugurate this observance vita the
hope that ii viii be kept up from year to year.
while a survivor Of the war remains to honor
the memory Of his departed comrades
Since this first order was issued, Yearly
million Of the nen who defended the nag OF
their country and by their valor preserved the
union from destruction have been mustered out
of the army OF this life and mustered into the
life that is TO be So that when this custom is
observed now about one. half Of the old grand
army. who from 1851 to 1865 were the heroic de-
tenders Of liberty and union, pay their tribute
Of love TO the other half who are on the other
side Of the dark river that separates this world
from the mystic land Of eternal peace From
the date or the first order. this custom received
general recognition and the hope expressed By
the comE1ander-in- chief that it would be kept
up from year to year has been fully realized.
This is now legal holiday, and is more gen
orally observed as such than any other day in
the year.
Indeed. the custom has become so general
that il has ceased 10 be confined TO the Grand
Army Of the Republic. and when the comrades
70 TO the quiet church-yard to place beautiful
flowers upon the graves OF their departed com
rades the citizens generally accompany them,
and fathers, mothers sisters and brothers Of
the kindred dead take this occasion to send a
message Of love to their dear depatted bystrew-
ing flowers upon their graves. There never
was a more touching and beautiful ceremony
than this simple act Of meeting together and
causing the graves OF departed heroes and
friends to bloom with the rareSt and loveliesi
flowers. b this act We take the most beauti
ful manifestation OF God in nature, the most
perfect expression OF love and sympathy. flow
ers, and bear them to the last resting place oil
our comrades When these flowers are depos'
tied upon their graves, we send, By this act, 20
them our choicest messages OF love and honor,
and this we do not only from sense Of duty.
but because we love 70 honor the memory Q!
our departed comrades. This is the reason the
custom has grown so universal, and follow
ing dictates OF our hearts, in conformity with
this beautiful custom, We will on the S)th OF
MAY next observe memorial dav.
The Grand Arm of the Republic, the Won
ans Relief corps, the Ladies OF the g. 4 r, the
Sons O. Veterans, the Ladies' Aid society, and
all other organizations in aid OF the Grand
Army OF the Republic and in sympathy with lis
principles. should be invited to participate IN
the memorial day exercises Let no pride ot
organization mar the perfect accord which
should exist in the Observance OF this day, but
lei each organization take the place assigned i;
b. the committee Of arranCem rnts. without
mCrmur or complaint and each COmra!e per
Jicipa;in- in the exercises should hold Only. in
the mind and heart. the brave deeds and noble
sacrifices OF our beloved comrades whom NC
love to honcr.
All flags displayed on t1is day should BE al
halfmaSt IN accordance with the resolution OF
the national encsnpreGt Of ISIS On memorial
day flag should be hOisted over every school
house, and the children OF the schools. accom-
panied by their teachers, should be especially
invited 10 participate in the parade and be
present at the memorial exercises The most
impressive, patriotic lessons TO the young are
taught on this Gay
Post command are reminded that arrange
meatS should be made for special memorial
services on the Sunday proceeding memorial
day, which posts should aJtead IL a body. also,
that = special report Of memorial day services
should be made out by the post co,1man1e and
forwarded 10 The department chaplain, COTnradt
r H Sparks PitJshGrE. Kan, within fifteen
DAYS after Nav g. No blanks are used for this
report, but !. should be complete and ful re
port Of what occurred, neAtiv and plainly writ
ten. ard should be forwarded without delay.
erloin upon all post commanders the careful
observance Of this day ana \ proper report
thereof as . sacred duty, which ought 10 be
held by ever, one of them aud oy every com
raGe Of the Grand Army of the Republic as ar
ines,iIrab,c uriyiIeye