The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-30
SOLDIERS DEAD.
Graves That Are the Nations
Sacred Charge.
Young and Old Veterans March
to Cemetery to Honor Dead.
DAY CAN NEVER DIE.
How 1t Has Grown to Be a Per-
manent Institution.
DAY CAN NEVER DIE.
New Grand Army Perpetuates
the Observance.

New York, May 30-Another Memoir
ia1 Day. Green grows the grass over
fresh made graves in the trim military
rows of the Grand Army burial ground;
fewer and feebler are the survivors of
the host who kept the flag flying two
score years ago; faded and threadbare
are the battle-torn colors taken from
the walls to grace the graveyard cere-
monies; yellower is the parchment on
the drum to whose tap the veterans will
endeavor to keep step in what, to many,
will be the last parade of their lives
But the day has lost no particle of
it's place in the affections of the Ameri-
can people and never will while one
veteran survives. or after that; for a
new Grand Army is to fall heir to the
honors of the old and victorious Amer
leans Of the Spanish war will march
with young, firm steps to the same
drum beat that taps time for the old
heroes of the sixties.
The older the annual custom of dec
Grating the graves of the dead becomes
the less remindful are we of the origin
of Memorial Day.
The story of the birth of this yearly
| observance is known to few. Adjutant
| General Chapman, early in May, 1868,
received a letter from a comrade. The
w
had served as a private in the Union
army. He suggested that the Grand
| Army of the Republic inaugurate an OBJ
| servance in memory of the Union dead,
| similar to one customary with the Ger
| man people who assembled in the
| springtime and scattered flowers upon
| the graves of those whose death they
| mourned. The idea met with the warm
| approval Of Gen. Logan and the 30th
| day of May was selected because of its
/ being the end of the spring months and
because of its poetical associations.
It was during the administration of
| mander in chief of the g. A. R. that
| Memorial Day was established in the
| general orders following:
| Headquarters, Grand Army of the Re
| public, Adjutant Generals Office, 446
Fourteenth Street, Washington, D. c.
May 5, 1858.
| General Orders No. II.
The Goth day of May, 1868, Is
designated for the purpose of strewing
| flowers or otherwise decorating the
graves of comrades who died in defense
| of their country during the late rebel
lion, and whose bodies lie in almost ev-
cry city, village, hamlet and church
yard in the land. In this observance nc
form of ceremony is prescribed, but
posts and comrades will in their owE
way, arrange such fitting services ant
testimonials of respect as circumstan-
ces will permit.
We are organized, comrades, as ou1
regulations tell us. for the purpose
among other things, "of fraternal feel
ings which have bound together the sol
| dierS, sailors and marines who united
| together to suppress the late rebellion.
! What can aid more to assure that re
suit than by cherishing tenderly tn
memory of our heroic dead who mad
their breasts a barricade between on
country and its foes. Their soldier live
were the reveille of freedom to a race il
chains and their death the tattoo of
rebellious tyranny in arms. We SHOULD
guard their graves with sacred vigi
: lance. All that the consecrated taSt
and wealth of the nation can add L
their adornment and security is but
; fitting tribute to the memory of he
slain defenders. Let no wanton foo
tread rudely on such hallowed grounds
Let pleasant paths invite the coming
l and going of -reverent visitors and fon
mournerS. Let no vandalism of avaric
l or neglect, no ravageS of time testify t
the present or the coming generation
/ that we have forgotten as a. people tn
l cost of a free and undivided republic
2 If other eyes grow dull and otle
r hands slack, and other hearts gro1
cold, in the common trust. let ours kee
it well as long as the light and warrnt
| of life remains to US.
Let US then, at the time appointed
t gather around their sacred remains an
garland the passionless mounds aboy
| them with the choicest flowers of Sprin
| time; let US raise above them the des
old flag they saved from dishonor Il
9 us in this solemn presence, renew OF
pledges to aid and assist those whol
they have left among US, a sacre
q charge upon a nations gratitude, tt
4 soldiers and the sailors widow and OF
4 phan.
: It is the purpose of the commander
. chief to inaugurate this obseryanc
V with the hope that it will be kept L
f from year to year while survivor of II
war remains to honor the memory
his departed comrades. He earnest
desires the public press to call after
:. ton to this order and lend its friend
r aid in bringing it to the notice of cor
2. rades in all parts of the country in tin