The National tribune., 1893-05-04
NATIONAL MEMORIAL ORDERS.
HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS.
AUXILIARY TO THE GAR,
SABETHA, KAN, April II, 1893.


General Orders, No Z.
Time on its ceaseless wing brings us an
other Memorial Day, the observance of whose hal
lowed rites is duty cherished by loyal hearts IN
memory of the valor of our fallen heroes Year
by year the services of this day have become so
dear to the hearts of our loyal people that 1t Is
cherished a sacred legacy, the choicest in all the
calendar of the Grand Army. 1t brings 10 mind
the days of years ago when loved ones babe good
by and donned the blue, but who to-day are sleep
ing on Southern fields in Northern cemeteries.
1t is meet that amidst the busy throng of life we
halt upon this day, with sad but grateful remem-
brances. TO pay tribute 10 the memory OF those
who died 10 preserve a Nation. He who con-
ceived the thought and gave the first memorial
order is more, but a monument to john A.
Logan, in his devotion to his fallen comrades,
stands Memorial Day. What more fitting tribute
than the beautiful flowers, lovely products OF
Springtime with which we cover the earth be-
meath whose sod the mortal forms of our dead
heroes lie? Nature is making ready, with gentle
shower and warm sunshine, buds and blossoms
which loving hands will weave AS our tribute TO
the comrades for their memorial offering and lay
upon the green mounds that mark the resting
places of their dead comrades In our girlhood
days gathered flowers TO crown the May queen;
to-day holier mission is ours-to weave garlands
and Irvine wreaths on Memorial Day to typefy our
loving remembrance of those who laid down their
lives to preserve the Union The tint Of each bios
som, the perfume of every flower will rise sweet
incense upon the air Ia commemoration OF the
sacrifice laid upon the altar of patriotism where
their lives were given on battlefield or in prison.
pen. Whether buried beneath oceans wave or on
Southern plain, beneath the waving palms or the
Northern pines, on the prairie's broad expsnse,
yet will grateful Nation pay its tribute of de-
voton to their loyalty.
Az oopna with duino baurers and with
martial treadl
With muffled drums and music gather round the
honored dead!
And thus, with bowed heads standing. while we
watch the maidens
To strew our humble offerings every sacred
tomb,
And while the fires of sorrow burn in many tear
less eye.
And hearts less used to grief bow down in speech
less agony,
Oh, will there this earnest prayer arise TO every
tongue
God give TO us such men az these. whatever trials
comet"
The members OF the Woman's Relief Corps
should see that flowers prepared for the decora
ton OF all veterans graves within their reach
Let each Corps be especially helpful TO the Post
whose auxiliary it is. See that flowers
gathered and prepared for the decoration of each
veterans grave. All over the land IN the National
Cemeteries lie thousands of our brave boys with
the mute, sad mark, Unknown" In each one Of
these mounds lies somebody's loved one. Let the
choicest garlands be given to those. Let the monu-
ment to the unknown dead be erected in every
cemetery, and ut its base and about its column lay
your wreaths and tributes. "Killed st Chicka-
mauga," Starved In Andcrsonve," Buried in
an unknown Grave-a Mothers only Boy" teach
the wondering youth of to-day mute lessons of
anguish never 10 be forgotten and are indeed OBJ
ject-lesson of loyalty. To this end let the
children be given part In Decoration Day.
Let the brave women who have fallen also be re-
membered. The army nurse IN loyalty cared in
hospital and field for the dead and wounded
soldiers, aud let US keep her In memory. or
members many have gone from labor to reward.
Their chairs vacant around our altar. Let us
place tribute of love upon their graves in
DRY of their work with us in the Fraternity.
Throughout the North in every city, village and
town loyal. patriotic people joined the Grand
Army. Womans Relief Corps, and Sons of Veter-
ans I'm doing homage to our Nations defenders.
Few who have never visited the Southern ceme-
teries realize the magnitude Of the labor Of love
borne by the small Posts OF the Grand Army in
this part OF our country. Their patriotic fenlty
meets with no sympathetic response from their
neghbors, and this year especially they must
deeply feel their uncongenial surroundngsin being
met by the outburst of devotion to the memory Of
the Confederate chiefain, whose remains to be
borne in pomp TO Richmond. and whose eulogy is
TO be pronounced and his fame extolled at the very
hour when the loyal men and women OF the South
will be decorating the graves our dead The cir
cular letter accompanying this General Order from
Phil Kearny Post, Richmond Va appeals to every
loyal heart and explains their needs. An appeal
has been received at National Headquarters from
Chattanooga Post who not only that 1900
graves OF Union soldiers buried there decorated
with flowers and flag placed above them, but aid
in sending decorations TO Shiloh, Donelson, Stone
River and others having Post nearer than 20
miles away; also. an appeal from Department
Commander IT. T. Whtcomb, of Virginia and
North Carolina, asking contributions and from the
Department of Georgia.
believe few realize the magnitude of the task
OF these brave Union soldiers who regardless of
the surroundings. keep well the solemn trust. The
graves of Andersonve stand monument of
all the horrors in that fearful chapter OF history
As over each grave waves the flag for which the
sleeping heroes fought aud died, what lesson of
patriotism and loyalty is taught each year? Never
until standing in the presence of these vast acres
Of the dead, have been able to realize the terrible
cost of saving this Nation and the great need of
extending help from the North in decorating
these graves / most earnestly appeal to every
member of the Order. upon this Columbian year.
to put forth extra effort to send flags and funds
10 these Southern Posts. If your treasury Is not in
condition to make appropriation, hold q social
entertainment for this special purpose at in
order that the proceeds may reach them in time
for use ia services this year.
When the last soldier shall have answered TO the
rol-call above, taps shall have been sounded and
lights out. when there Is no longer even one
comrade left to plant the flag and strew flowers
then will the members of the Womans Relief
Corps, Sons and Daughters OF Veterans and a
loyal Nation still perpetuate their memory and
keep green their graves
Corps ChapRins will promptly report the
Memorial Day blanks to the Department Chaplain
who will consolidate the same and forward with.
out delay 10 the National Chaplain in order that
ton.
BY command of
MARGARET RAY WIcKIEs,
National President.
FLORA PRESTON HoGBIN,
National Secretary.