Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-29
FOR A SUNDAY MEMORIAL.
Plea That Soldiers Day Should Be
Removed From Dissertation.
Eloquent and thoughtful Appeal from a
Volunteer Of 81.

The following letter Is submitted to
the Journal from one who has beheld
the coming perversion of Memorial
day, with. not only regret, but Il de-
sire To seek a remedy. His plea is to
have the Memorial services held on the
Sunday of the 30th of Mayo of each year,
or else, when the 30th falls upon a
week day, on the Sunday next preced-
ing.
His letter is as follows:
A hundred years ago, the celebration
of the Fourth of July was attended
with all the solemnity of a day of
fasting and prayer 1t is true that the
day was then heralded by the booming
of cannon and the discharge of mus
kerry; yet these performances We're
conducted with becoming gravity and
military precision. The orations de-
livered upon that day We're pervaded
with sentiments and thoughts which
seemed to be inspired by respect and
reverent feeling for the vast import of
the occasion.
ibut. WIN SoNI SutNttulilE SCdl Vi Vui
national life the day and the occasion
have been given more and more to
sports. pastimes and noisy mirth. At
the present time. the Fourth of July is
recognized by all as the day for vocif-
erous eXultation and general rejoicing
The day now. very closely resembles
the Madi Gras of continental Europe.
in its grotesque butfonery, general hi
larity and freedom from all restraint.
There is another day set apart by the
nation as a holy day on which we may
honor our dead and commemorate their
deeds and virtues. But as the years
roll by and each succeeding Memorial
day arrives. there seems to be a grow
ing tendency and desire to transform
the day into a mere holiday with near
~ all the characteristics of Fourth of
July.
This is not strange, for it has ever
been the tendency of all peoples. that
are busily engaged in toll and the
grave duties of life during long pc
RODS of time. to seek relaxation and
entertainment on every secular day set
apart upon which labor may cease.
Therefore. while the Grand Army
Il day that to them is holy; while the
more thoughtful and reverent citizens
may denounce the use of the day for
sports. games and excursions, the great
mass OF the people, as time goes on.
win come to disregard these protests
and to turn a deaf ear to the denun-
Citations and warnings of the guardians
of society
Human nature is stronger than the
law or custom. and the people will lose
sight of the fine and patriotic senti-
mentS associated with Memorial day
since the secular enjoyment of the
day seems to them the infraction of no
positive moral law. For this reason
believe that Memorial day if continued
as now constituted, will eventually be
regarded and used as an ordinary hol-
day and be entirely diverted from it's
original purpose. Believing this ten
dency in the people will eventually
make the day an occasion for sports
and pastime. | have been greatly i'm
pressed by a suggestion that comes
from several sources. This suggestion
is. that all Memorial services be held
on sunday on or next preceding the
30th day of May in each year. By this
arrangement all danger to degrade the
day and the occasion by unseemly lev
ity and sport would be avoided and all
the people could unite in paying tribute
to our departed comrades and friends
with the solemnity and thoughtful
ness that arc necessary attendants of
deep and true feeling upon any sub
ject.
A VOLUNTEER OF 81.