The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-03-29
TIE GRAND ARMY,
What is Being Done by the Veterans
for the Good of the Order.
HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN

HEADQUARTERS BULLETIN.
Distribution of Flags-National Reunion
Monument Preference of Vet
erans-Memorial Day.
The 9th National Encampment having in
dorsed the plan inauguTated by Past Com
mander-in- Chief Weissert in relation to dona'
tions for a distribution of flags for the decora'
tion of Union graves in Southern cemeteries
the same general plan will be followed the
current year Therefore Paragraph OF Gen
eral Orders No. 4. dated Dec. %. 1892, is most
cordially approved by the Chief,
and the following quotation is heartily IN
dorsed:
THE Commander in-Chief directs that De-
partments Posts, and individuals wishing to
contribute money to this laudable purpose send
their donations to @, NJ. Gen. Louis Wagner
I3s South Fourth street. Philadelphia, Pa, who
will receipt for the same. He also directs
comrades in the vicinity of these graves, or
those having charge OF such cemeteries or
burial-places, to make acquisitions upon the
Observation-Disclosures of the Grand Army OF
the Republic as above, for such number of flags
as they consider necessary TO properly decorate
such Union soldiers graves on the coming Me-
mortal Dsy. Such acquisitions should contain
a statement of the number OF graves to be
decorated. The Quartermaster-GeneraI VIII
keep this fund separate from the others, and
make i'm his annual report to the 2Sth National
Encampment 4 separate account of receipts and
expenditures on account of such fund"
The 9th National Encampment unanimously
adopted the following:
Resolred That the National Encsmpment ap-
prove the plan of the National Reunion Monument
Association ofWashinglOn, ID. c. for the erection in
the National Capital Of q memorial TO the rank aud
file of the Union Armies Navy, and Marine Corps,
who fought for the suppression OF the rebellion
from 1861 TO 1865.
The National Reunion Monument Associa-
ton having been incorporated and organized
for the foregoing object, and having determined
to erect a monument to the rank and file OF the
Union army and navy, they propose further to
locate said monument in what is known as Grand
Army Place in the city of Washington. This
is the tract of land near the Washington Monu-
ment and was dedicated to and named for the
Grand Army of the Republic at the Goth Ma
tienal Encampment, held at Washington in
1892. Any assistance or cooperation that can
be rendered by comrades, Posts or Departments
should be so rendered, in order that the success
of the undertaking may be assured, and to the
end that the Grand Army of the Republic may
assist by every means in their power in what
may be considered National work.
The attention of Departments, Posts and
comrades is earnestly called to the bill now be-
fore the Congress of the United States, known as
" II. r. 80: To insure preference in appoint
ment employment and retention in the public
service of the United States of veterans of the
late war"
The Commander-in-Chief cordially approves
of this BILL and believes that if it could become
law it would be of great benefit to the COM
rades and the veteran Union soldiers of this
country.
Wednesday. May go next, will be observed
as Memorial Day. Twenty-six years ago John
A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic, in General Orders No.
IL, inaugurated Memorial Day. In that Cen
eral Order We were directed that Z" if other eyes
grow dull. and other hands slack. and other
hearts cold in the solemn trust, we shall keep
it well as long as the light and warmth of life
remains in u.s." His wishes and instructions
have been faithfully obeyed. and as his success
sor Commander-inCh Chief Adams calls upon all
comrades TO again discharge this most solemn
duty. Each year our lines grow shorter here,
while they lengthen on the other side. We
have more graves TO decorate and fewer CON-
rades TO discharge the duty. Realizing this, let
rs invite all the people. especially the Woman's
Relief Corps. Sons of Veterans. and children of
the public schools, to unite with Us in the serv-
ice In no better way can we teach lessons of
patriotism and prepare those who are to take
our places for the high and responsible duties
Of American citizens.
The Commander Chief Endorses most
heartily the plan that has been very generally
y
of the Posts of our organization upon some
form OF Divine worship the Sabbath preceding
Memorial Day. This is & beautiful custom,
and Posts urged to make arrangements for
attendance upon some such service at least
once on Sunday. May q. Let the comrades
appear in uniform, with their badges and
colors. inviting. if expedient. the Sons of Vet
Grams to act escort and the presence of the
Woman's Relief Corps striving in every way
TO make this fitting preliminary to our great
service Of memory and exaltation to that mag
niicent and loyal army of heroes of grateful
Nation.
Chaplains of Posts are directed to report to
the Chapan-in-Chief through the Department
Chaplains. on special blanks that will be fur
nished for this purpose, the number Of graves
decorated, and all matters of interest connected
with the observance Of the day.
in 1877 the eleventh National Encampment
Of the Grand Army of the Republic
Resolved. That the Grand Army of the Republic
seeks thus preserve the memories OF those only
who fought in defense OF the National unity.
And il was further
Resotved That this day be known as Memorial
Day
And il was still further
ResOlued That all Gags hoisted on Memorial Day
be at hslf-ms