The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-05-26
MEMORIAL bay.

Chaplain Richmond, Of the Department.
oFWsst virginia, Makes sHEEsstlons tie
EaTdInE the Observance Of Memorial
DHy.
Comrades OF the G. A. r., ex-soldiers
and all friends q :he Ola soldier allow
me few words with yuu concerning
few matters which doubtless are near
your hearts;
National Memorial Day" is upon u.s.
The services are designed to be OF me
highest Significance. showing a aultADie
and tender regard for our soldier dead
and encouraging the living In the attain
mcnt and practice OF that faith and viz
tue which must characterize Il Chrlstian
people. "tha: charity which IL fruitful OF
p,od works and that loyalty which, whlle
true TO our country'B nag, Is supremely
devoted to the cross, the symbol OF our
faith"
When observed In Its true spirit, Il con-
tributes more than any other day In the
year toward healing the wounds In indl-
vlduaI hearts. and IN binding more close
ly together the people north and south.
east and west. In the sacred bonds OF
fraternity. charity and loyalty" ana i
certainly Is not asking too much, that all
persons In any way connected win the
observance OF Memorial Day" Gndeavor
TO make all the eXerciseS or reverend
and patriotic character.
The Significance and associations or the
day are too sacred TO BE- prostituted TO
games and races or other sports. All
persons are cordially Invited TO attend
and participate In these services, and we
hone all good citizens will frOwn upon
nny and all schemes or devices for turn
INK the day into one Of mere recreation
or pleasure seeking And let me further
ask, that In the sacred ceremonies OF the
day, II you chance upon the grave OF one
OF those brave but mistaken men VINO
wore the gray and fought In the Cdnfed-
crate lines. In the true spirit OF charity,
divide your flowers, casting on MS grave
a aoral tribute to his bravery.
There Is still quite a large number
probably more than 200 unmarked sol
dlers' graves In West Virginia. THIS
ought not. and need not be 80. / appre-
cIate the dellcacy af this subject. know
how close II comes 10 the heart OF the
widow or orphan, hut assuring them-aS
Such-of my sympathy with them In their
sorrow, let me sneak few friendly
words TO them on THIS subject.
Doubtless there are reasons why You
have not yet set a monument above the
remains OF your dead, You may contem-
plate getting a gOod and costly one ana
il has not yet been convenient 10 do so. or
you may perhaps feel yourself unable TO
purchase even q cheap stone. and 50 you
have been waiting, but there are many
reasons why every soldiers grave should
be marked. and let me call your attention
10 the fact that the government furnishes
for all deceased soldiers maidstone free
OF charge. All you have to do Is tn make
application to the qulrterfnaSter general
VI the United States army At Washing
ton, and set the atone when II comes.
Even freight ~ paid by the government.
This stone Is OF white marble from two
10 four inches In thickness. from ten to
twelve in width and three feet HIGH and
bears Inscription ~ the name, company
and regiment OF She soldier, aud Is given
as a badge OF honor In recognition OF the
soldiers service. Get this stoae and set
It, and IL in the future You want 10 erect
more costly one. then this VIII answer
nicely rs foot stone.
All Grand Army posts will. In short
time be furnished with blank form OF
application for these ''markers.' and
hope all comrades will interest them
selves IN looking up any unmarked
graves In their locality and procuring
stones.
san another matter demands the at
tention Of every good citizen. II appears
probable that, al least few Union SOL
dlers lie buried In "potteE,' fields" pau
per graves" at one place or another In
the state. This - humiliating, indeed.
Think Of il! West Virginia, the roman
tic mountain state. unique in the sister
hood OF states: born amid the throes OF
war. many OF its valleys and mountain
peaks baptized with the blood OF some ~
its patriotic sons, and yet here sleeps In
pauper, and unmarked graves, some OF
the men who gave their life that the
stars and stripes might continue TO float
over the ives; Virginia hills"
Nav. urge. that comrades. The Sons
OF Veterans, Ladies OF the w. Il. c., and
Ladies OF the G. a. r.. and all patriotic
citizens OF the state. TO lay hold OF this
work. and during this year 1897, remove
and re-inter the remains OF any who are
In pauper graves. and 80 far as possible.
secure the marking OF all unmarked
gravcg, and when all has been accom-
plished that van be. please report the re-
suits to the undersigned.
TAYLOR RICHMOND.
Chaplain Department W, Va. @. \. X.
Mount Glare. W. Va, May "a.