Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1901-05-25
ting
The Gra yes
HOW A BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM
ORIGINATED.

The custom Of decorating the graves
Of the nations defenders has been SO
well. established and it is so generally
bbserved that Memorial day has De
come as much holiday in the est1ma7
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
tention as they grow smaller. The re
spect for the day has been firmly plant
ed in the hearts of the people.
Among the 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 one5of it's first re-
suits. The favor with which the prac-
tice was received in all parts of the
country gained foFfthe organization the
Endorsement of many people who would
have been Indifferent to it if it's object
had been only social or /. fraternal.
Grand Army historians say that DR..
BENJAMIN Franklin Stephenson, who
served in the army as surgeon of the
Fourteenth Illinois volunteer regiment,
was the first to conceive the idea of an
organization in which the friendships
formed amid the perils and privations
Of duty in the field mfghtfbe preserved
and perpetuated. His scheme embrac-
ed also the care and education Of the
women and children who had been de-
prived of their husbands and fathers,
the building of homes for homeless vet
Grams and aid for destitute and disa-
bled members Of their fraternity.
The philanthropic plan took form in
April 1866, when Major Stephenson
organized Post No. at Decatur, Ills,
with IL comrades. So well was the
movement received that in November
of the same year DR.. 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
honortng 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
CARELESS of rank or station, were proud
to wear the G. 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 for
mer private, who wrote to Colonel N.
p. Chapman, member of General Lo-
gan's staff. The writer was 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 well to 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
ted to the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie and to no individual In the first
order directing the decoration of the
graves, which was issued on May s.,
1868, General Logan said:
eve should guard the, graves with
sacred vigilance. All that the conse-
Grated wealth and taste of the nation
ian add to their adornment and securi-
y is but fitting tribute to the mem
Try of her slain defenders. Lei no
Tanton foot tread on such hallowed
ground. Let pleasant paths invite the
coming and going Of the >reverent visit
IFS and fond mourners. Let no van
lalism of avartce or neglect, no raw
lges of time, testify to the present or.
o the coming generations that we have
orgotten as a people the cost of the
rec and undivided republic. If other
yes grow dull and other hands slack
md other hearts cold in the solemn
rust, ours shall keep it well as long
s the hight and warmth of life remain
With us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed
ather around their sacred remains and
arland the passionless mounds above
hem with the choicest flowers of
let US raise above them the
ear old flag they saved from dishonor;
It US renew our pledges to aid and as
list those whom they have left among
s, a sacred charge upon a nations
ratitude, the soldiers and sailors wild,
W and orphan.2
In this order General Logan appoint
d May 80, 1868, the day for decorating
he graves, and the response was so
eneral throughout the land THAI there
build be no doubt. as to the sentiment
the people on the subject; but, to
AXE sure that there should he no de-
arturo from the CUSTOM the national
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