The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-05-23
Decora$l~3
The Graves

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The custom of decorating the graves
Of the nations defenders has been so
we'll established and it Is SO generally
observed that Memorial day has be
come as much Il holiday in the estima-
ton of many people as the Fourth of
July or Christmas. The interest in its
observance grows no less as the years
go by. The marching Grand Army
men become more notable as they grow
older, and their ranks attract more at
tcntion as they grow smaller. The re-
spcct for the day has been firmly plant
ed in the hearts of the people.
Among tie thousands who assemble
in the various parts of the country on
Memorial day there are doubtless many
who do not know the origin of the GUS
TOM and even in the ranks OF the Grand
Army of the Republic there are enthu-
siaStic members who are uniformed
on that important point. The decora-
ton of soldiers graves WAS not the
prime object of the Grand Army of the
Republic, but it was one of Its first re-
suits. The favor with which the prac-
tice was received in all parts of the
country gained for the organization the
Endorsement of many people who would
have been Indifferent to it If its object
had been only social or fraternal.
Grand Army historians say that DR..
Benjamin Franklin Stephenson, who
Il, h.. e ha
Fourteenth Illinois volunteer regiment,
was the first TO conceive the Idea of an
organization In which the friendships
formed amid the perils and privatlons
of duty In the field might be preserved
and perpetuated. His scheme embrac-
ed also the cnre and education Of the
women and children who had been de-
priyed of their husbands and fathers,
the building of homes for homeless vet
Grams and aid for destitute and disa-
blcd members of their fraternity.
The philanthropic plan took form in
April 1866, when Major Stephenson
organized Post No. l at Decatur, Ills,
with l. comrades. SO we'll was the
movement received that in November
of the same year Or. Stephenson, as
provisional commander in chief. pre-
sided over a national encampment at
indianapolis, and the Grand Army OF
the Republic soon became a powerful
organization. cementing In friendship
those who became it's members, car
ing for those who were helpless and
hOnOring the memory of those who had
gone before them. Within two years
the membership had grown to 100000,
and the best men from the army, re-
gardless of rank or station, were proud
to wear the q. A, r. badge. General
John A. Logan was elected command
er in chief in 1868, and the subject of
decorating the soldiers graves came
up for discussion during his admins
tration He issued the first order for
the observance of the day.
There are conflicting opinions as to
who was the first to suggest the deco
ration of the graves, but it is generally
believed that the idea came from a for
mer private, who wrote to Colonel ".
i. Chapman, a member of General Lo-
gan's staff. The writer was a German,
who lived in Cincinnati at that time,
He spoke of the custom which prevail
ed in his home of strewing flowers
upon the graves Of the dead and
thought it would be we'll 10 honor the
dead comrades in that way. Unfortu-
nately the name Of the man who made
the suggestion has not been preserved
and the beautiful custom remains cred
tied to the Grand Army Of the Repub-