The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-05-26
Ladies of the GAR.


National President Flora NJ Davey has
issued Memorial Day orders from National
Headquarters, Ladies Of the GAR, Du-
luth, MINI. She says in part:
Let this be the time when an object
lesson shall be given not only the youth of
our land but every citizen, showing them
the appreciation due the defenders of
liberty. Discountenance every tendency
towards devoting this day to pleasures of
any kind. 1t is hard To- reconcile the idea
of games and races on the day of the
anniversary Of a funeral that affects the
whole Nation. Not a hamlet but has its
sad memories on this day scarce a house
hold that has not cause to recall with
sorrow the name of a dear one sacrificed.
While we honor and garland our dead, let
US not forget our living. AS we prepare
flowers for the absent let us plan for the
widow and orphan in our midst; let us see
to the comfort of the crippled and aged
comrade. Remember also those who were
once OF our own number who now await our
coming to complete a circle which shall
never be broken.
The National President asks that service
be arranged for those we know not where
their bodies lie." A list should be prepared,
and as the names are read by the Chap
lain the war record and name Of battle
field or prison where they died may be
given by comrade.
National President Davey and National
Inspector Agnes j. Winslow, of Chicago,
Instituted a Circle in Bridgeport, Conn,
recently. Many members of the GAR.
were present and were made honorary
members. There are 30 names on the
charter and the new Circle starts out very
hopefully. The officers of the Circles are:
Pres, Mrs. Jennie f.. Nichols; S. V. p,
Mrs. Adeline WaIlenta; j. V. p, Mrs.
Nellie NJ. Berricn; Chap, Mrs. Sarah
Tangue; Sec, Mrs Josephine NJ. Downes;
Treas MrS Carrie WpttS- CnpIIctpr Miss
Alma Walcnta; Guard, Mrs. Frances
Brett; O.CaniSt Miss Georgiana Walsh.
Only wives mothers. sisters, or daughters
Of soldiers. sailors, marines or nurses are
eligible To this society
A member writes in protest against the
decoration of any but soldiers graves on
Memorial Day: 81 am q reader of The Ma
uonal Tribune and | see that Sarah j.
Martin, National President of tie W.R.C.,
in requesting W.R.C. to aid and assist the
GAR. in strewing flowers on graves of
our Nation 5 dead, says: Shall we not re-
member, too, those Of our sisters whose
loving hearts and helpful hands, once
busy for good of the I'oSt and Corps, have
been stilled forever in death? Let their
graves, too, be adorned by the bloom of
fragrant flowers, as tleir, lives were made
beautiful by the deeds Of loving kindness
and charity ~
MIS-. MdrIin StySE ttte N.R.C. Tcmcm-
bers that Memorial Day was founded by
that typical volunteer soldier and leader,
John A. Logan. i
would the National. President please
remember that Memorial Day was not set
apart for the decoration of our friends
graves, but for those ofd the Nations de-
tenders, who SO nobly gave their lives as
a sacrifice to their country.
There is another thing to which wish
to call the attention. ofGthe WR.C., La
dies of the GAR, and all other loyal
Orders: 1t is our duty tenteach patriotism
and love of country. We cannot begin in
a more fitting place or time than on
Memorial Day. Let us teach the boys
and girls what theI day means. Begin
by setting an example, so that they may, |
when we are gone and our heads are laid |
low, know that Memorial Day was for the |
dead, and not for loyal women.
''If all the graves be decorated with |
flowers and flags, then will it cease to
be special memorial for the Nations |
iead.-A Member of the Ladies of the |
GAR. Circle, Wellsvilie, Kan.
Miss Anna Beth orga nized a Circle of
Ladies OF the GAR. in OcOnto, Wis. Geo.
J. Norton Circle, II, has started out with
70 charter members and many honorary
mes from the GA R., and it has every
rope for a successful career.