The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1893-03-31
DECORATION DAY.
Department eommander Kelley Issues Q
General Order In Regard to the Observ-
anee Of Decoration Day.

Department commander Kelley Issues n
General Order In Regard to the Ob.erv-
snee of Decoration Day.
Commander Kelley, of the G. A. B =,
has issued a general order in regard to
the observance of memorial day. ss
follows:
"A quarter OF century has passed since the
S)th day Of May was set apart and Designated
as the day upon which TO strew 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 church yard in
the land
On the 5th day Of Nay. 1858, during the ad-
m,nistration OF Comrads John A Logan as
commander-in-chief Of the Grand Army of the
Republic the first order was issued upon this
subsect In this order the coulmander-in chief
said: tits the purpose OF the commander in
chief To fnaugurate this observance with the
hope that 1t will be kept up from year to year,
While survivor Of the war remains to ho2or
the memory OF his departed comrades"
Since this first order was issued nearly q
million OF the man who defended the Dag Of
tnelr country and by their valor preserved the
union from destruction have been mustered out
OF the army Of this lie and nus tered into the
life that il To be So that when this custom is
observed now about one half Of the old grand
army, who from 1861 to 1855 wore the heroic de-
lenders Of liberty and union, pay their tribute
OF love 10 the other half who are on the other
SIDE CT the dark river that separates this world
from the mystic land OF eternal peace. From
the oate OF the first order, this custom received
general recognition and the hope expressed by
Inc comm lndcr-in chief that it would be kept
up from year to year has been fully realized.
This Is now a 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 it has ceased 10 be conf ned to the Grand
Army OF the Republic, and when the comrades
go TO the quiet church-yari 10 place beautiful
dowers upon the graves OF their departed COM
rades. the citizens generally accompany them.
ana fathers. mothers sisters and brothers OF
the kindred dead take this occasion to send
message OF love 10 their dear depa9ted by strew-
Ing flowers upon their graves There never
was 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 loveliest
flowers. By this act we take the most beauti-
fu manifes tation OF God in nature, the most
perfect expression OF love and sympathy, flow
ers, and bear them to the last resting place Of
our comrades When these hJwers are depos-
lied upon their graves, we send, by this act to
them our choicest messages OF love and honor,
and this We do not only frcm q sense of duty.
but because we love to honor the memory Of
our departed comrades. This is the reason the
custom has grown universal, and follow
ing dictates of our hearts, in conformity with
this beautiful custom, we will on the 3oih OF
May next observe memorial day.
The Grand Army OF the Republic, the Wom-
ans Relief corps, the Ladies of the G. A R the
Sons OF Veterans, the Ladies' Aid society, and
all other organizations in aid of the Grand
Army OF the Republic and in sympathy with It's
principles, should be invited to participate in
Inc memorial day exercises. Let pride OF
organization mar the perfect accord which
should exist in the observance OF this day, but
let each organization take the place assigned it
by the committee. of arrangements, without
murmur or complaint, and each comrade per-
ticipaiing in the exercises should hold only. in
the mind and heart, the brave deeds and noble
sacrifices of our beloved comrades whom we
love to honor.
All flags displayed on this day should be at
half mast in accordance with the resolution Of
the national encampment Of 1873 On memorial
day flag should be hosted over every school
house, and the children of the schools accom-
panied by their teachers. should be especially
invited to participate in the parade and be
present at the memorial exercises. The most
impressive, patriotic lessons to the young are
taught on this day.
Post commanders are reminded that arrange
nents should be made for special memorial
services on the Sunday proceeding memorial
day, which posts should attend in body; also,
that special report OF memorial day services
should be made out by the post commander and
forwarded to the department chaplain, Coinrade
X H Sparks. Pittsburg Kan, within fifteen
days after May 3D. No blanks are used for this
report, but IL should be a complete and full re-
port OF what occurred neatly and plainly writ
ten, and should be forwarded without delay. 1
enjoin upon all post commanders the careful
observance OF this day and proper report
thereof as sacred duty, which ought to be
held by every one OF them and by every COM
rade of the Grand Army of the Republic as an
inesiimable privilege.