The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-30
MEMORIAL DAY.

the celebration win far exceed any simila-
DEMONSTRATION held in the past. and at the
shrinss OF the dead defenders Of the union
the citizens win take a fresh baptism in
patriotism. With actual war raging Of
the extreme Southern coast, with MACH
Ing columns pressing eagerly TO the front
TO maintain the honor and dignity OF thu
republic. the exercises viii partake Of un-
usual interest and the display Of patriot
ism VIII be In keeping with the great OPP
portunity.
Memorial day n the hearts of the old.
surviving comrades is no idle. unmean-
ing event It means q commemoratior OF
the sacrifices made On our country's altar
BY both the living and dead soldiers that
x might NOT perish from among nations.
At this period the first general order es-
tahiishing Memorial day, issued by Gen.
John A. Logan, viii be read with interest.
II Is as follows:
The 3eih Of May, 1858, Is designated for
the purpose Of strewing with flowers or
otherwise decorating the graves OK COM
rades who died In defense OF their coun-
Try during the late rebellion, and whose
bodies now lie in almost every city, vii.
lage and hamlet churchyard in the land.
In this observance no form OF ceremony is
prescribed. but posts and comrades will.
m their own way, arrange such fitting
services and testimonials OF respect as
circumstances may permit.
we are organized. comrades, as our
Iesaiasions tell Us, for the purpose. among
oener Things, OF preserving anu strength
enlng those kind and fraternal feelings
which have bound together the soldiers,
sailors and marines, who united to sup
press the late rebellion. What can aid
more 10 assure this result than by cherish
ing tenderiy the memory OF our heroic
70 a "a
between our country and its foes? Their
soldier lives were the reyeiile OF freedoms
10 race In chains, and their deaths the
TATTOO OF rebelsious tyranny in arms. We
snaA guard their graves with sacred Wig
nance. All that the concentrated wealth
ana taste OF the nation can add to their
adornment and security is but a fitting
tnoute to the memory of her slain defend
ers. Let no wan.on foot tread rudely on
such hailowed ground. Let pleasant paths
unite the coming and going of reverent
visitors and fond mourners. Let no van
dalism or avarice. or neglect, no rayages
or time testify to the present or to the
coming generations that We have forgot
ten as people the cost Of a free and I'M
divided republic.
II other eyes grow dull. and other
hands slack, and other hearts cold In the
solemn trust. ours shall keep 1t well as
long as the light and warmth Of life re-
main.
Let US then, at the time appointed.
gather round their sacred remains and
garland the passionless mounds above
them with the choicest flowers Of spring
time; let us raise above them the dear old
flag they saved from dishonor; let US in
this solemn presence renew our pledges
TO aid and assist those whom they have
LETT among US. sacred charge upon a
nations gratitude-the soldiers and sail
ors' widows and orphans.
ut Is the purpose of the commander-in-
chief to inaugurate this observance with
to year, while a survivor Of the war re-
mains to honor the memory Of his depart
ed comrades. He earnestly desires the
public press to call attention to this order,
and lend its friendly aid in bringing 1t to
the notice OF comrades in all parts of the
country In time for simultaneous Compii-
ance Herewith.
Department commanders viii use every
effort to make this order effective"
In the following years up to lsS2, IN spite
OF the adoption of measures characterize
ing the event as Memorial day. 1t was still
popularity known by all but the old COM
rades as Decoration day In the North, and
even at this late day 1t is recognized by
both titles. The attempt Of the old soldier
to diyest the day OF holiday attributes, ex-
cursions, etc. partaking of Fourth OF July
attributes, has been strenuous. and for
most part unsuccessful. because the mass
es have their own way of demonstrating
their observance OF the event.
1t Is not generally known that Memorial
day has no warrant by national authority
to be classed as a legal holiday. The ac-
ton Of nearly all of the Northern states
has invested the day with that character
istic, and custom has made it such in
other communities.
Memorial day is the one day in The year
on which memory throws wide open her
gates, and recollections OF camp fire.
battle field and the march come trooping
out in rich profusion. 1t invakes the
sweetest and hottest memories Of both the
living and the dead who fought on the
nations battlefronts not for aggrandise-
ment, but for a nobler cause.-the perpet-
uation OF the Union founded by Washing
ton,
Today the legions of the nation are pass
ing through the same experience that the
boys in blue had in ls6l-5, forsaking home.
kindred and comforts and facing death In
defense or the flag that kisses the breeze
war is terrible thing. 1t has its conn
pensation, but 1t also has Its losses. Where
1t eievates one man in the scale of NOR
atty and in the matter OF self-reliance. It
ruins thousands. All the finer sensibilities
or human nature are blunted and harden
ed by the experiences of the battle field.
the march or camp life. Scenes of suffer
ing on the battle field ara so common as
not TO awaken the sympathy which should
now from tender hearts. from rugged men
who may in the next minute he stricken
and shorn Of their strength. Strange as
IT may appear. these horrible scenes. be-
yond the power of description. only make
the soldier more callous and more heed
less or the groans and tears of the wound
ed lying around him. This has been the
unfortunate experience OF many thous-
ands who returned in 1865 with unblem-
isaed military records, but. alasi with
hlunted sensib;iities and vices that have
ever since impeded their progress. Yet
there is one memory that will never fade
from their brains. that of the men who
touched elbows with them IN the great
battles in which they participated, many
OF whom stiil profoundly sleep IL South
ern cemeteries.
SO lei our heroes rest
Upon your sunny breast.
Keep them, o South. our tender hearts
and true.
Keep them. o South. and learn to hold