The National tribune., 1895-05-23
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c., THURSDAY
ARLINGTON.
Preparations for Memorial Day

With the returning springtide and tho roses
returns the day long dedicated to the Nation 5
dead. The sad Memorial anniversary marking
q laurel-twined epoch in the Nations history,
when panscs for thoughts, rosemary fer re-
membranec, myrtle for love, and amaranths,
bright cmbems of blessed Immortality, arc
mingled with sad yew and mourning cypress
above tho hearts of the heroes who sleep, each
in a windowlcss palace OF rest. Nearly three
decades have passed since the first order for
this flower memorial for the loyal dead went
forth. Year by year the sad, sweet custom has
grown in favor, and year by year the flag
marked mounds have increased until "a soldier
of the Union, mustered out" slnmbers on every
hillside and sleeps in every valley. In all this
broad land tborc is no city of silence that has
not at least one war-worn veteran who has
turned in at his last tattoo. For them and for
the thousands of unknown heroes,
Who rest where they wearied,
And lie where they fell,
natures dear children, sun nurtured and rain
kissed, fragrant with sweet perfumes and dew
gemmed, laid upon the altar OF remem-
hrance. consecrsted memorial tribute of
Earth's brightest and purest gifts to the Ma
tons bravest and best
In the Department of the Potomac Memorial
Day is fraught with many memories. sadly
sweet. In it is the Capital of great Nation,
and almost under the shadow of the great white
dome lies one of the "Silent Cities" where
nearly 1900 boys who wore the blue sleep,
each in his wndowless palace Of rest. On the
hillside, sloping to the storied Potomac, lies the
grave of gallant Little Phil" aud the bronzs
face on the granite monument, with tho seal of
eternal silence upon the stern lips. looks ever
out across the river and its sluggish tide, over
the wide tree-shaded avenues and the white
palaces OF the Government to the flag which
floats unsulied, and will forever float whore
h. hold l. 81,
and keep guard over both flag and her de.
Tenders. Close beside tho tomb of Sheridan
lies that of Admiral Porter Back of them,
upon the wooded slopes, made bright with
blossoming flowers and clambering vines, are
the thousands and thousands of loyal dead.
most of whom foil in the battles waged around
the city of Washington in the awful years of
civil war. Thousands of the graves arc
marked, but thousands more have carved on
the small headstone only the pathetic word
Unknown" in the great burial urn are
gathered the bones OF over 1000 who were
taken in a promiscuous heap from one shallow
trench All this at Arlington. Yet in the
radius Of the District there are dozen others
where the story is repeated. only Oh a lesser
scale.
To strew flowers above these graves, wherever
they lie, is the dnty of the Department of the
Potomac. Tho Woman's Relief Corps has in
charge all tho preparation of flowers for deco
ration exercises. The Tomb Of the Unknown.
Sheridan's grave. aud two sections are under
their immediate supervision. The Department.
President, Mrs. Hamilton, has been appointed
Chairman of the Woman's Organizations, and
has officially invited all to aid in making the
day memorable. While the w. re. is the only
recognized auxiliary of the GAR, the women,
proud 10 wear the badge of the Order, do not
feel that all tho loyalty and patriotism of the
land is embodied in them. The Daughters OF
Veterans. Ladies' Aid of the u. V. L., the
Ladies' Of the GAR. Loyal Women Of Ameri-
can Liberty. and the Loyal Legion OF Women
have been invited to aid Col. Sweet and the De.
partment President. Lafayette Corps will go
to the Soldiers Home Cemetery. Logan Corps
will accompany its Post to ST. Elizabeth's. Far
ragut Corps will go 10 Congressional Cemetery.
Mrs. North, Department Chaplain. will take a
detail of ladies and go to Fairfax TO decorate
the isolated graves in that vicinity. o. 7.
Morton and Sumner Corps will visit number
Of cemeteries. Lincoln, Burnside and Potomac
Corps will fern escort for the Department
President and her staff TO Arlington. The
Marine Band will play at Arlington, and there
will be all escort of troops from Fort Myer.