Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-05-14
ME,roRIaI DAY.
An Order Issued by department Comman-
der William 10. Norton.


der William -. Norton.
William b. Norton, commander of
the Department Of Delaware, G. A. r.,
has issued the following:
General Orders, No. 3-Once more
the warm spring sun brings to us the
beautiful foliage and flowers, remind
ing US that Memorial Day with its
time-honored custom is near. Accord
ing to our rules and regulations, the
3Oth OF May is day set apart to do
honor to our nohle dead
Let ue gather for them the choicest
flowers, tokens Of love aud gratitude, in
remembrance of those who while liv-
ing, endured hardsbips and faced
death for the integrity and honor of
the nation. Place above each mound
reared in hallowed ground tho flag he
loved So we'll, tho emblem of liberty,
for which he sacrificed so much see to
1t that all are remembered, and az we
gather by the sacred mounds let us re-
solve that while flowers bloom, while
the trees spread their foliage, while the
grass expands its verdant mantle over
hills aud through the valleys, shall
these memorial services not cease, nor
the honor which is due to our departed
comrades be forgotten.
Let us not forget that more and more
Of us answer the last roll call each
year; that we are being mustered to the
Great Commander. Each year we
have more graves to garland and fewer
to perform that solemn service. Each
one of us remembers some comrade who
on last Memorial Day participated
with us in this grateful service, now
lies awaiting the last day. Let us
take with us the children and teach
them lessons of loyalty and patriotism,
that when the last OF the Grand Army
shall have crossed 1.-THE great divide, :"
they may take our places in keeping
fresh the memory and honor the brave
men through whose efforts our country
remains undivided and our flag unsul-
| lied.
1t is earnestly desired that the day
be guarded from all appearance Of
merry making. Commander in Chief
Walker says in General Orders, No. 7,
paragraph 6;
Memorial Day is the choicest in
tho calendar OF the Grand Army--a
| day OF sweet remembrances, dear to
every loyal heart, and any violation of
| its sacredness by making it an occasion
of frivolity and amusement, such as
| characterize the Fourth Of July,
should be treated IA mn ind;gnity to the
comrades who died that this country
| might live. "
And now 10 the comrades who hy the
:Gercy and goodness Of tho Great Com
mander Of III all, are allowed to sill
remain hcro t9 take pert IN this work
Of love and patriotisln 10 cur deceased
/ cnmrudea. let us su conduct ourselves
| that AT tho last cUll wc may he found
| in tho front rank answering with a
joyful salute thu command uf all Com
manders, We'll done good ard faithful
| servant, enter ye into thr Kingdom oi
! God. " Comrades, i,o loyal to your
God, your country and your comrades,
and yours will he Il rich reward.
Ii has become custom and deaorv-
edly so for the different posts TO attend
divine worship in body on tho Sun
day preceding Memorial Day, and il
is earnestly requested that all posts in
tho department follow that custom
either jointly or separately on Sunday
morning, May gath. The joint mo
mortal services Of the Wilmington posts
will be held at Epworth NJ. II. Church,
Tenth and Lombard streets, at 3 p. N.
Post Commanders are requested t.
invite the different schools in theil
various localities, TO hold patriotic ser
vices Friday afternoon preceding Me
mortal Day. BY command Of
| William Is. Norton,
Department Commander.
Official: w. S. Byron, Assistant Adult.
Con.
All tho members Of the various post
arc working harmoniously TO make tn
demonstration q success. School chill
dren are expected to take an activ
part In the ceremonies.