The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-04-18
THE RELIEF CORPS.
GIeaningS from National Headquar-
terS---NOteS from Departments
MEMORIAL DAY.

HEADQ'Rs WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS
| AUXILIARY TO TUE GAR,
CHICAGO, ILL, April 2, 1895. J
General Orders, No. z.
Gather the roses, Irvine the evergreen, fo
although they have sailed away on tina
mystic water" that flows through the vale,
of shadows" their deeds, their memories still
live on.
As we approach Memorial Day let rs gathe
about the altar the Sunday preceding, and re
new our devotion to the living comrades as ",
sing the praises of those we mourn.
Remember always as the Grand Army of thu
| Republic march with muffied drum and draped
flag to the hsllowed spot where sleep theil
| brave companions. it is our sacred privilege tt
| place a loving tribute to those who are lyins
only the Heavenly Father knows where but
"He knows"
Take the little ones by the hands, and as they
scatter the fragrant blossoms that the Spring
time brings, tell them the story of brave
deeds bravcly DONE country saved, a race de.
| livered, Nations sacred day.
DO not fail in remembering the heroic women
who went forth not to battle, but to fol
those who suffered; they, too, gave freely oil
| their strength, and their wstchful saved
many "boy in blue" to still fight on for God
| and his country.
Our own ranks have been depleted this year
| and we have been called upon to mourn for true.
resting place q wreath of loving memory, as
you remember all who have served with US in
the past. Last year Adj't-Gen. Mech reported
loss by death, 1902"
Oh, loyal women of America, as you read
these figures showing as they do how in regi-
ments they swiftly marching to their eter-
| nal camping ground, will you not, with re-
newed earnestness, dedicate your best thoughts
and energies TO aid those still waiting, and come
together as one woman, in purpose and action.
| bring ali that is good aud true, to advance
! our work for the Union veteran and his de-
pendent ones.
To Preston Morton Post, GAR, No. 4, of
| Hartford, Ky, our thanks are here expressed,
| for taking from an obscure burial spot Arm
Nurse and Union spy, Elizabeth f. Carter,
and on last Memorial Day placing her in their
cemetery with special ceremonies.
| Department Chaplains will forward Memo
rial Day reports through their Department
! Presidents to S. Agnes Parker, National Chap
lain. Brockton. Mass, not later than June 20.
| By command Of
EMMA r. WALLACE, National President.
JENNIE BRoss, National Secretary.
ALL SING AMERICA"
The recent school dem0nstra ion in honor of
| Rev. DR.. S. F. Smith, author of MY Country
tits Of Thee" was most significant of the quick
enng of the patriotic spirit that is manifesting
| itself the country over.
Beginning in Boston, in one of whose suburbs
DIR. Smith has long had his home, in neat
cottage one of the Newton nights, the de-
monstration was well-nigh continental in its
o observance.
At the noon hour the school. bells rang out
in Boston, answered by the school bells of
cities and towns innumerable, and vast multi.
tudes of little children and strong aud beauti-
full youth rose and sang America" in honor
of the composer, who, if he lives until Oct 81,
1895, will have completed his s7th year.
1t is donbly interesting to know that Amer
lea" was first sung in public at children's
celebration in Park street, Boston, July 4, 1882.
On next Fourth of July there should be a 64th
annual rendition of this song by the children
OF America in every city, town, village. and
country picnic grove the whole land over.
We cannot have too much of MY Country,
tits OF Thee" since both the time and words
are inspiring And, by the way, DIR. Smith
says that when he wrote the words to be sung
to that time he did know that it was first writ
ten to the words God Save the King" He
first heard it sung by German school children,
to German words.
However, no one objects to the tune because
it is God Save the King" for, as some one
has well said, in America the people are sove-
reign; therefore. God Save the People!"
SING 1T MEMORIAL DAY.
And now comes Comrade J. B. Stone, of Post
10. GAR, Worcester, Mass, and makes a sug-
gestion which we would like TO see carried out
in letter and spirit. This suggestion has re-
ceived the approval of Past Commander. in.
Chief J. b. Adams, and many high in the
ranks of the Grand Army and Relief Corps;
Also the Committee on Patriotic Teaching
National Council of Women, and prominent
educators of the country.
Here is Comrade Stones plan. How many
of the GAR and W.R.C. will do their utmost
to assist in its inauguration2 Let us hear
from you all. He writes follows:
"The custom of celebrating Memorial Day
in some manner in our public schools has ex-
tended, that IL is almost universal through.
out the whole land. Can we not 20 one step
farther. and make it simultaneous? Chrome
logically, our country is now divided into four
divisions-Eastern, Central. Mountain, and Pa
cifc-in consequence OF which 1880, or p. m.
at New York; 1870. or 3 y. IN. at Chicago;
$50, or p. m. at Denver; $50, or / p. m. at
San Francisco, are simultaneous instants of
time
Would it not be grand thing, an object
lesson in patriotism that would be impressive
by its immensely alone, If for no other reason,
if ali the children Of the whole country should
together, at tho same instant of time. sing
America, and repeat n simple patriotic pledge
OF conservation to their country, includin the
notices, One country, One language, One
flag or some other simple exercise-this not
W idhe lht pace vi any local program, Dut 10
be incorporated in it?
"This exercise should take place on the last
school day preceding Memorial Day, or some
other day specified by the proclamation of Ma
tional Committee of Education. / have not
thought out the details or the agencies through
which this may be accomplished but it seems
they can be very easily arranged with the CO.
operation of National and State school author
tiles. The effect upon the children and the
country at large cannot help being for great
good az the years roll on.
Think of it, All the children of the peo-
pie III the free public schools. maintained by
this Government of the people, by the people,
ana Tor the people, simultaneously. from lakes
to golf, from ocean to ocean, singing My
Country It's Of Thee and pledging them
selves 20 its maintenance!
Think also OF the effect nnon every citizen.
on the prairie, in the city. in the back woods,
on the express train who, taking out his
watch and noting the time. says TO himself:
AT this instant 100000 children are singing
"America" j, too, will join the grand chorus
doubt not that in few years the cOnta-
gion would so spread that every factory every
railway car, every street corner, every assem-
blage that happened to- be in session. would
lnyoiuntarily take up the chorus. also"
RALLY ROUND THE FLAG
Department President Della NJ, Needham.
Rutland, VT, in a circular letter enjoning
Corps Presidents to use their utmost efforts to
have the flag salute placed in the public schools
OF that State, well says that whatever we wish
TO see introduced into the life of the Nation
must hrst be introduced into the life of its
schools"
In her ringing patriof;, anro.1 -. ..u..