The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-05-27

PHILADELPHIA, April a6, 1897.
1. Approaching Memorial Day re-
minds us of our duties to our beloved
dead, not only to those whose last
resting places may be under the cy-
press, in the swamp, on the hillside,
in the valley, on coral reefs or in the
ocean depths, but to those who have
followed later and left vacant chairs
in our Post rooms.
Our sacred floral sabbath has taught
a reference for the dead all over our
great country, and the silent palaces
which dot villages and mark cities are
dressed in Natures most lovely attire
on our Memorial Day.
Nearly three thousand years ago
ancient Greece, that nation Of pio-
neers of the higher civilization of the
world, paid tribute to its dead who
died in their Ccuntry's cause. Let
us then pay homage to our Comrades,
our brothers, who fell in the cause of
liberty for all mankind let US gather
the brightest and the fairest of Springs
most beautiful flowers, and with music
and with speech eulogize those who
dying left us the priceless heritage Of
citizenship in free America.
Let us SO observe this day Of ours
this day Of Americas people-that
no reproach may come to ourselves
and no indifference to the deeds of
onr noble dead.
Every patriots silent bivouac shall
be remembered and whilst many
sleep in unmarked graves or far be-
| meath the surface of turbulent waters,
yet shall they not be forgotten the
flowers placed on Soldiers and Sailors
graves, the dirges that are sung by
the sides of the mounds, the pathos
of addresses that are delivered in the
cities of the dead shall embrace the
memory of every Comrade, be he
lying where he fell or under the will
lows in the village churchyard.
With ringing bugle, with throb'
bing drum IN the van with battle
| flags floating proudly come we again
to renew the solemn and high resolve
that the bright examples and grea,
actions OF our Comrades, shall moi
perish ftom the records Of time"
II. Attendance at divine service
on Sunday preceding Memorial Day
is part of our duty and Posts which
have not yet arranged for such service
should do so at once. Every church
will gladly throw open its doors to the
Grand Army of the Republic.
| III. 1t is recommended that Post:
arrange with the Pastors of the
churches, who shall deliver the
| Memorial Sermons on Sunday, May
| 23d, to select texts where practicable
which will illustrate "The everlast
ing right of the Union arms in the
War and " What was brought tc
America and its citizens by the sue
cess of our soldiers ?" Every Pos
should attend church on this occasion
/ w AS in previous years it il
urged that Comrades be detailed t(
visit the public schools, in the dis
tricts in which the Posts are located
on such day, during the week of Ma.
24th to 2oth, as may be most pract:
cable, to impress love of country an(
patriotic teachings on the minds O
the children. Tell them of Memoria
Day and what it means +; tell them O
the flag and what it cost in blood ant
treasure to keep it unsullied tell o
, the gallant deeds Of your Comrades
( tell Of the duties Of American citizen
ship.
! V. Let all the people join will
you IN observance of Memorial Day
Make place in your line for military
civic, social and other organizations
, Have every man and woman, boy an
girl, accompany you. Make you
services so interesting that all tn
t people will gladly go with you to pa
tribute to those heroes who "die
! that the Nation might live" Ever
!. Post Is required to observe Memoirs
; Day" Flags are to be displayed
, halfmast.
VI. In localities where there ar
e two or more Posts, arrangements wi
t be made between them for prope
division of the work. ... .....
VII. An Aet is noao benaing 1
the PENNSYLVANIA Legislature Pro7iN
ing that aohen May 3oM fails on Sn'
day, the day tollOzoing shall be a Iegl
. lAoLday. UMis bill beeomeS Iaat