Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-05-28
Decorating
The Graves
HOW A BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM
ORIGINATED.


a HOW A BEAUTITUL CUSTOM
ORIGINATED. =
Soi-sOO4sOoss00i-tooi-tooi-s]oo
The custom of decorating the graves
of the nations defenders has been 30
well established and it Is SO generally
observed that Memorial day has be-
come as much 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
20 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 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
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 might be preserved
and perpetuated. His scheme embrac'
cd 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. l 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 q national encampment al
indianapolis, and the Grand Army OF
the Republic soon became powerful
organization, cementing in friendship
those who became its 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
CARELESS Of rank or station, were proud
to wear the G. A. R. badge. Genera
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 fol
the observance Of the day.
There are conflicting opinions as Il
who was the first to suggest the deco
ration Of the graves, but 1t is generally
believed that the idea came from for
mer private, who wrote to Colonel N
p. Chapman, q member Of General Lo
gan's staff. The writer was q 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 ant
thought it would be we'll 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
tied to the Grand Army Of the Repub
lie and to no individual. In the frs
order directing the decoration Of thu
graves, which was issued on May 5
1868, General Logan said:
1--WE should guard the graves will
sacred vigilance. All that the cOnse
Grated wealth and taste Of the natior
can add to their adornment and securi
ty is but a fitting tribute to the mem
ory of her slain defenders. Let NJ
wanton foot tread on such hallowet
ground. Let pleasant paths invite TIT
coming and going Of the reverent visit
ors and fond mourners. Let no van
dalism Of avarice or neglect, no raw
ages Of time, testify to the present o.
to the coming generations that we have
forgotten as q people the cost Of thu
free and undivided republic. If othe
eyes grow dull and other hands slacl
and other hearts cold in the solemn
trust, ours shall keep 1t well as lont
as the light and warmth Of life remain
with us.
LET us, then, at the time appointed
gather around their sacred remains ant
garland the passionless mounds abov'
them with the choicest flowers o
springtime; let US raise above them tn
dear old flag they saved from dishonor
let us renew our pledges to aid and as
sist those whom they have left amonl
US, sacred charge upon a nation
gratitude, the soldiers and sailors wild
ow and orphan"
In this order General Logan appoint
ed May 80, 1868, the day for decorating
the graves, and the response was 81
general throughout the land that Their
could be no doubt as to the sentimen
Of the people on the subject; but, t
make sure that there should be no de
barture from the custom, the nationa
bncampment which was held two year
later in Washington, adopted the fol
lowing, which became part Of the rule
and regulations Of the organization:
1.-THE national encampment hereb!
establishes q Memorial day, to be oh
served by the members of the g. A. R
on the 30th Of May annually, in com
memoration Of the deeds Of our falleI
comrades. When such day occurs OF
Sunday, the succeeding day shall b
observed, except when, by legal enact
ment, the preceding day is made lie
gal holiday, when such day shall be oh