Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-05-27

GNszssS sSS to cast thought
- backward to the
troublous 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 spon-
taneous approval, and seemed to touch
a popular chord of sympathy in the
hearts of the people north OF Mason
and Dixon's line.
It required only short agita-
ton to bring the matter to focus,
which was accomplished by the follow
ing order sent out from Washington:
HEADERS GRAND ARMY OF THE kEPUBLIC, /
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE.
446 FOURTEENTH STREET, [
WASHINGTON. ID. c., May 5. 1868.
General Orders No IL
The 3Oth day Of May, 1868, is desig-
mated for the purpose OF strewing flowers
or other wise decorating the graves OF
comrades who died in defense Of their
country during the late rebellion, and
whose bodies now lie in almost every city,
village, hamlet and churchyard in the
land. In this observance no form or cere-
mony is prescribed. but posts and COM
rades will, in their own way, arrange such
fitting services and testimonials OF re-
sspect as circumstances will permit
We are organized, comrades, as our
regulations tell us. for the purpose, among
other things, Gof 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 tenderIy the memory OF our
heroic dead, who made their breasts a bar
ricade between our country and Its fees.
their soldier lives were the reveille OF
freedom to a race In chains, and their
deaths the tattoo Of a rebellious tyranny
in arms We should guard their graves
with sacred vigilance All that the conse-
Grated taste and wealth Of the nation can
add to their adornment and security is but
a 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 a people, the cost Of free and undi-
vided republic.
II other eyes grow dull, and other hands
slack, and other hearts grow cold in the
solemn trust, ours keep it we'll as long as
the light and warmth Of life remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appoint ted gather
around their sacred remains and garland
the passionless mounds above them with
1he choicest flowers of springtime; let US
raise above them the dear old flag they
saved from dishonor; LIT US in this solemn
presence renew our pledges to aid and as
sist those whom they have left among us,
a sacred charge upon nations gratitude
the soldiers and sailors widow and Or
phan.
2, It is the purpose of the commander
in-chief to inaugurate this observance,
with the hope that IL 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
1T to the notice of comrades in all parts of
the country In time for simultaneous COM
plianee Herewith.
B. Department commanders will use
every effort to make this order effective.
By order of JOHN A. LOGAN,
COMMUNICATIVE chief
Official: N. P. CHAPMAN,
Adjutant General.
AS 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 1868, has annually been observed
j n the United States.
Probably at no other place in the
country on this first Decoration Day
were the ceremonies more touching and
imposing than at the national cemetery
at Arlington Heights, near Washingt on
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 were opened at Il
O'Clock in front Of the Arlington man
sion by Mr.. w. T. Collins, who read
Gen. Logan's order designating this
day as a memorial day. Rev. Byron
Sunderland offered a prayer, after
which q hymn was sung. General
James A. Garfield was then intro
duced and delivered an eloquent and
impressive address. The assemblage
then sang patriotic song and listened
to the reading Of an original poem by
Mr.. j. G. Smith. As the Forty-fourth
Infantry Band played a 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 fervent prayer was offered
by Rev. j. G. Butler, followed by the
singing OF an appropriate chorus by the
Arion Club. The tomb was decorated
and the procession marched to the flag
stand at the principal cemetery, where
the ceremonies were opened with
prayer by the Rev. Chas. V. Kelley, Of
Chicago.
Mr.. Holbert G. Paine, Of Wisconsin,
read the dedicatory address delivered
ct Gettysburg by President Lincoln.
After the reading Of the address the
graves throughout the cemetery were
decorated.
In the following year sill more extern
-sive preparations were made for OBJ
serving Decoration Day. In thirty-one
States and in $50 towns and cities the
day was observed with impressive cere-
monies.
FRIENDS AT LAST,
d8Eothers Reun Ie>A at o Memorial Day
sembla~a.