The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-08
THE GENESIS OF
DECORATION DAY.

Quaque ipse miserrima Vidl 81 quorum
pars fui.
We live in an age Of patriotic societies,
nearly all OF which commemorate the
victorious conflicts of our country. The
early Indian wars the struggle for Amer
lean independence, the war Of 1872 the
Mexican war, the late civil war: from all
these societies have sprung whose avow-
ed purpose it is 10 preserve the tradi-
lions OF wars and exalt our estimate Of
the services OF the men who were en-
gagged in them.
In order to enter these societies. the
blood Of the dead hero must flow in the
veins Of the applicant. 1t has, therefore,
been urged against them that their
Wanted patriotism" IS only an extended
selhshness-a theory which would seem
to be- sustained at least by Mr.. Lecky
when he declares that AL the heroism
and self-sacrihce OF patriotism springs
ultimately from the habit men acquire
OF regarding their nation as great or
ganic whole and Identifying themselves
with It's fortunes in the past as In the
present"
As many as seventeen Of these societies
already exist all, except one, of recent
birth. An irreyerent writer has said: Il
should characterize them generally as
Badges. Buttons, and Banquets. their OBJ
ject being ostensibly TO put up monu-
ment 10 erect historic building. but
really to belong to something exclusive
to ones self. and then TO keep other peo-
pie out"
Opinions must differ as to the justice
of these sarcastic utterances. Possibly
they may not be altogether untrue, but
they certainly do not apply TO our one
great Memorial Association-the associa-
ton which has no root in self, bears no
badge. has no pride OF pedigree-which
exists, even IN this steam-urged age, sole
~ to honor the unhappy martyrs who
fell I'm our most wicked and unnecessary
civil war.
| think well Of my country that it
should recognize them as martyrs. We
do well TO pause one summer day In
year 10 exalt their courage, 20 bewail
their fate TO cover their humble hillocks
with flowers. They died. not TO protect
our land from the profane foot Of the
foreign invader. nor yet TO win the Holy
SepWchre from the inldcl nor yet 20
conquer a savage wilderness for the great
incoming flood OF our race. They died
because their country could devise, in its
wisdom, no better means OF settling a
family quarrel than by Staying her sons
with the sword.
May we never forget 10 observe our
Memorial Day, Even now there Is
scarcely n hamlet i'm the United States
that does not display a tiny flag or bit
Of bunting on Decoration Day. Some
years ago I drove through a wild noun
tain country In West Virginia. Deep
down in d narrow gorge-One OF those
strange assures where a small stream
has cut a mountain in twain-I discov-
cred wretched hut Fastened 10 a pole
IL. HrHFf 90 rr.T
flannel The half-naked savages who
lived in this hut scrambled up the pre-
cipice TO beg. / asked the meaning Of the
red rag. and received the surprised an
swer, Decoration Day. These untam-
ed. untamable people respected the day.
When a sentiment and observance
sweeps the country we naturally wonder
who began It. Where was the spark
kindled that fired the train? Who was
the "founder"-that is, the originator
the one from whom the movement deriv-
ed its beginning?
Memorial associations were organized
in several places soon after the close
OF the war. but 1t Is believed that the
first observance as a Decoration Day.
was an inspiration OF Mrs. Judge Joynes
OF Petersburg, Va. She called the women
OF Petersburg together the 9th OF May
1866 and organized them into a memo
rial association for the express purpose
OF decorating the graves Of the men who
had fallen I'm the late conflict between
the North and South. She was made
President OF the association, and Mrs.
Samuel b. Paul and others Vice Presi-
dents. The following preamble was Of
fered by Mrs. Joynes and accepted by
the meeting:
whereas, A mysterious Providence
NH .L,
der other results, have been a nations
pride to perform. We. the ladies of Pet
ersburg, now assume our share OF the
melancholy yet grateful task OF doing
honor to the remains OF her noble sons.
All along our lines. on distant hill tops
In valleys. in forests lie the neglected
graves OF the slain OF our people. ABB
sent from our homes and our affairs, they
sleep the last sleep Of the noble and the
brave. Their bodies, bone OF our bone,
flesh Of our flesh. arise, spectre band
before us, demanding Christian ard hon
orable sepulture Untrue would We be
to the instincts OF nature, as well as our
birthright OF glory. untrue TO the land
OF Washington and OF Lee, did we not
give every energy TO this work Now
that the storms Of war have been hush
ed for us. and the paralysis OF our crush
ed hopes Is yielding 10 a healthy activity
and responsibility, we come together 10
devise means 10 perpetuate our grati-
tude and admiration for those who died
for us. We. therefore. form ourselves
into society for the systematic further
ance OF this object. inviting the co-opera
tion Of all that sympathiZe with us, so
that here. where the last blow was
struck. and enduring monument may
arise as a tribute to true manhood and
patriotic devotion.
1--WE therefore propose" &c.
In the resolutions that followed June
9Th was named as the day for "perpe-
tual remembrance" Just what was TO
be done on that day WAS not made pub
lie. The Federal Army was still with
US. and some apprehension was felt that
We might be hindered In our wishes.
Nothing was yet quite settled or clearly
understood In relation 10 our future. Mrs.
Joynes quietly circulated notes among
her friends. requesting all 10 meet at
Blandford Church in the afternoon OF