Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-05-28

lion Lay, were interesting ana impress
sive, and were attended by large con-
gregation. The minister spoke with
special reference to the homes. where
patriotism, fortitude and devotion had
been shown and eulogized the lives of
the fallen heroes in most beautiful and
appropriate terms.
In his opening remarks, Rev. Mr..
Speer spoke of the profit and pleasure
that he had derived in reading the
rules and regulations or the ladies of
the G. A. R., after accepting an invita-
ton to address the organization and
also how he had been benefited by
studying the question of Memorial
Day. He further said that it would
not add to the sweetness and solemn
ity of the occasion to review the causes
of the war, which called for patriotism
and unselfsh devotion of mothers,
wives and sisters of the men, called to
rally around the grand old flag with its
stars and stripes so emblematic, the
red representing the blood of the mar
tyr; the white the purity of motive,
which actuated the patriots and the
blue, the Sky through which we must
pass to the everlasting peace. 1t is a
flag that has never trailed in disgrace
and wherever seen speaks of freedom
The minister then spoke of what
they would hear from Cathedral trans
cepts or homely pulpit, in teeming
city and quiet village. The ever-thin-
ming ranks of the G. A. r." he said
will hear again of glorious deed and
unselfish devotion. Martial spirit will
be awakened dim eyes will flash again
and hoary heads win be lifted up as
they look to days of youth, when with
steady steps they marched shoulder to
shoulder in defense of truth and right
But it is not to such scenes that | call
attention, but to millions of homes
where, with patience, fortitude and I'M
swerving devotion, mothers, wives,
ings or watched for face and form,
which they should never more see
The women waited for tender, manly
voice to fall upon their ears. The
voice was stilled in death and they
were never more to hear it except in
fancies visions as they "sit in the
swing of thought and leisurely swing
to and fro, they swing to the future,
down to the now and back to the long
ago. where they live again the days
of wooing, or motherly Communion, or
sweet words were spoken to bind the
souls of husband and wife who gave
themselves to their country"
In referring to the significance of
the services preparatory for Memorial
Day, he impressively remarked that
sweet, sad memories are awakened as
we glance back to homes and firesides
made lonely by the loss of loved ones,
but where love keeps alive the pres
ence of the patriotic dead. "They are
dead" he continued, but not forgot
ten. The known and unknown dead
are remembered both in the home and
by the nation at large. for when the
sound of war had ceased the sword had
| been beaten into nlnughshares and the
war horse used for peaceful pursuit of
Pastoral and commercial life, a beau
tiful custom was inaugurated in the
city of Richmond. | learn that Prof
Washburn at this place in May, 1866,
gathered together a small company Of
men and women and proposed to strew
the graves of the fallen with flowers.
He was at first ridiculed by his friends.
but undaunted in his purpose, he gath
cred his band and went to an island in
the James river, and placed flowers
on the graves of soldiers lying there.
A Miss Gibson sang a solo and then
all united in silent prayer, before be-
ing dismissed to their homes. So the
first memorial day was inaugurated
May 80. 1866. Upon the organizing Of
the G. A. r. on November 22d, 1866,
Gen. Logan, among his first orders,
commanded that May Goth be observed
as National Memorial Day among old
soldiers. Legislatures made it a law
and the words Of General Logan come
to us to-day as we look upon the
beautiful flowers around US. He said
that the flowers you put upon the
graves will die, but there is a principle
in the act that will last forever"
While making this quotation the
reverend gentleman held in his hand a
flower, and gazing upon it remarked
that as we look into the petals of this
flower we see the seed OF Ire, and when
the beauty and fragrance shall wither
and pass away there is the germ OF
a new and more beautiful flower and
it remains as of the soul that can new
er die, but when separated from the
body shall live forel er glorfied through
Christ
He then spoke of he numbers of men
who had enlisted, who had seen SER
vice, who had been killed and who had
haau uo1udad in fhe civil var and Il,