The National tribune., 1894-04-26

Memorial Day is again upon rs, and we want
to begin Immediately to prepare for its obsery-
ance. None are so vitality connected with this
day and its preceding Sunday as the Chap
lains. For their help we begin in this issue a
Symposium. The first letter from Department
Chaplain Webster of Wisconsin, is mostly
upon a point of greatest interest and we there
fore give more space to it than we otherwise
would. Other and briefer letters will follow in
later issues Of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. We
urge not only Chaplsins, but all comrades to
read, consider and act upon these letters
j. E. Webster, Chaplain, Department of Wis
consin, says:
Just before Memorial Day he (the Chap
lain) should make diigent inquiry con-
corning the comrades whose graves are un-
marked by q gravestone; for If their graves are
not marked while we comrades are living they
will soon be lost sight of by our children, and
that would be an everlasting shame to US. He
should constantly keep this question before his
Post until every soldiers grave is marked,
although it be the far off unknown grave in
the lonely private graveyard. Chaplains and
graves are connected in our thoughts, so why
not be connected in the GAR by assigning
this duty TO the Chaplain?
"The Chaplain should see that every public
school holds public service either on or before
Memorial Day, consisting of singing prayer,
few verses from the Bible, declamations, reci-
mortal services should be held by every school.
He should see that the Memorial Day be
observed as a funeral day, viz, with solemnity
and reverence"
We wish to call especial attention to the above
suggestion of lodging the responsibility of OBJ
servance of Memorial Day in the public schools.
We believe this one of the most important
points made in this Symposium.
The GAR. will soon be wiped out by death.
Who then will look after this day and preserve
it. with its sacred memories, from decadence?
In way this be 80 well and per-
manently accomplished as putting it where
the public schools will fall heir to this charge
after the veterans gone. This is being
done in many places, and everywhere is prov
ing most gratifying success.
Chaplain Webster says: Whole Counties in
our State, led by the County Superintendent of
Schools, hold these services in ali the public
schools, and find that it not only gives salts
faction, but grows in favor with the people. 1t
calls out larger crowd at the regular Memorial
services, and the children instinetively catch
the enthusiasm"
He then gives suggestions and some of the
results secured from his efforts as Department
Chaplain last year in this direction, which will
bear careful study not only by Chaplains, but
all comrades:
And how can we better discharge this the
greatest duty devolving upon us as Chaplains
(tbe duty of perpetuating the patriotic spirit
of '61, which was born of our public schools),
than to have the children on Memorial Day, in
their schoolhouses-whichs are Temples of Lib
erty-rehearse in story, song, and recitation
the self-denyIng heroism of the past, and gather
about the lowly tombs and on these affairs of
patriotism and freedom scatter their garlands
of flowers and drop the tear of sympathy
g We rejoice in what has been done in this
field and thousands of school children eagerly
ma tir eli in nj Dav los
year. One notable instance in the 20 schools
of Door County. Wis, led by corps of enter
prising teachers and the County Superintend-
ent who for seven years has been striving to
have the schools bold such exercises. and that
we may profit by his experience, give an ex-
tract from his letter to me in response to my
inquiries. He says: The flag, if there is one
land many of our schools are supplied, } is hoist
ed. the teacher and pupils prepare program
of patriotic selections and songs. These are
rendered at the schoolhOuse, after which |
teacher. pupils. and those parents and friends
who wish, march to the nearest cemetery and
decorate the graves of relatives, friends. and
soldiers. Each teacher prepares her own pro-
gram. There are no great orators present |
to disturb the little ones in their services |
They have it all their own way. The only |
way to make these exercises q success is to |
throw all the responsibility upon the teachers |
and pupils committee of citizens will al |!
ways make a failure of the work
"Also, the teachers and pupils of the public |
and private schools of the City and County of |
Racine held appropriate services the day be- |
fore Memorial Day. aud paid glowing tribute |
to the dead heroes.
Milwaukee Posts, quick to see a good |
thing and ready to work for its accomplish
ment, have aroused lively enthusiasm in
their city schools, where last year on Friday
afternoon. May 26, very impressive Memorial
services were held by many of the schools and
at each of which some of the members of the
Posts addressed the children. 1t was not
,pasmOdic individual effort, but was carried
forward by committee appointed by the COM
Dined action of the Posts, Woman's Relief
Corps, and Sons of Veterans of the city.
west Superior also made an organized
effort last year, best shown by an extract from
! letter by Comrade s. E. Tubbs, Secretary of