Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-04-01
DECORATION DAY.
Department Commander Kelley Issues
General Order In Regard to the Observ'
nnce of Ilecnrntion Ilav.

Department Commander Kelley Issues
General Order In Regard to the Observ
ance Of Decoration bay.
Commander Kelley, of the g. A. K,
has issued u general order in regard &c
the observance of memorial day, as
follows:
A quarter OF century hus passed since the
3)th day OF May was set apart and designatec
rs the day upon which TO strcw with nowcrS Oh
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 5,h day OF May. 1893 during the I'D
minisiration OF Comrade John A. Logan rs
commandcr.n-chicf OF the Grand Army Of the
Republic the first order was issued upon this
subject In this order the commandment -chiei
said: 1T is the purpose OF the commandments
chief TO inaugurate this Observance with the
hope that II will be kept up from year TO year,
while sus'.vor OF the war remains 20 honor
the memory Of his departed comrades"
Since this first order was issued. nearly
million of the men who defended the nag OF
their country and by their valor preserved the
union frCm destruction have been mustered OUT
OF the army OF this lie and mustered into the
life tina, is TO be SO that when this custom II
observed now about one huf OF the old grand
army, who from 1861 TO 1865 were the heroic de-
tenders Of liberty ind union. pay their tribute
OF love TO the other half who IRE on the other
side Of the dark river that separates this world
from the mystic land Of eternal peace. From
the date OF the tlrs, order this custom received
general recognition and the hope expressed By
the ccmmander.in. chief that IL would be kept
up from year TO year has been fully realized.
This IL now Il legal holiday and is moro gen
orally observed Us such than any other day In
the year.
Indeed, the custom has become SO general
that II has ceased 10 be confined TO the Grand
Army OF the Republic. and when the comrades
go 10 the quiet church.yard 10 place beautiful
flowers upon the graves OF their departed COM
rades. the citizens generally accompany them
and fathers. mothers sisters ana brothers OF
the kindred dead take this occasion to send
message OF love 10 their dear departed 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 ana
friends TO bloom with the rarest and loveliest
flowers BY this act we take the most beautl-
iul manifestation OF God in nature, the most
perfect expression OF love and sympathy, How
ers, and bear them to .hc last resting place OF
our comrades When these flowers are dcpos-
tied upon their graves, we send, by this Act To
them our choicest messages OF love and honor,
and this We do not only from sense OF duty
but because we love TO honor the memory OF
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 Oh the Sth OF
May next observe memorial day.
The Grand Arm; of the Republic. the Wom-
ans Relief corps, the Ladies OF the G.. A r., the
Sons OF Veterans, the Ladies Aid society ana
all other organizations In aid OF the Grand
Army Of the Republic and in sympathy with its
principles should be invited 10 participate in
the memorial day exercises. Let no pride OF
organization mar the perfect accord which
should exist in the observance OF this day. but
let each organic alton take the place assigned II
By the committee OF arrangements without
murmur or complaint. ind each comraie per-
ticipaiing in the exercises should hold only. in
the MAD and heart the brave deeds and noble
sacrifices OF our beloved comrades whom We
love TO honor
All flags displayed on this div should be ut
half'mast in accordance with the resolution OF
the national eneampment OF 1873 On memorial
day flag should be hosted over every school
house, and the children OF the schools accom-.
panied be their .sachers. should he especially
inyitej -, parucipitc in lie parade and be
impressive, patriotic lessons to the young are
taught on this day.
Pos. commanders are reminded thai ARRANGE.
mems should be made for special memorial
services on the Sunday proceeding memorial
1ay, which posts should attend in u body; aiso'
that special report OF memorial day services
should he made out by the post commander ana
forwarded TO the department chaplain, Comrade
X. IL Sparks, Pittsburg. Kan, within fifteen
days after May 81 No blanks are used for this
report, but II should be complete and fun re-
port OF what occurred, neatly and plainly writ
ten, and should be forwarded without delay. l
enjoin upon all post commanders the careful
observance OF this day AM Il proper report
thereof rs sacred duty, which ought to be
held by every one OF them and by every COM
rade Of the Grand Army Of the Republic rs an
inesiimaDle privilege
ADRnD nav