The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-16
MEMORIAL DAY ORDERS
COMMANDER TORRANCE URGES
VETERANS TO OBSERVE 1T
Calls 1t Nations Easter, and It's Gel
ebratiOn the COuntry's Greatest
Safeguard-CaIIs on G. A. r. Posts
to Hold Services in Conjunction
With Schools and Churches.

Commander-in-Chief Ell Torrance of the
Grand Army of the Republic yesterday
issued his official order regarding the OBJ
servance of Memorial Day throughout
the country. 1t is as follows:
TO every patriot, Memorial Day is the
most sacred Of the year, and it's proper
observance one of the nations strongest
safeguards.
1t is the nations easter, when the peo-
pie are summoned to the patriots tomb;
not with power to stir the encampment
of the dead, but by the mystic chords
of memory to resurrect the virtues
which adorned their lives.
1t is the nations Sabbath, when, at the
shrine of patriotism, all creeds are for
gotten and we receive into our hearts a
new aspiration to duty-a benedicton day
to all who observe it in it's true spirit
and meaning.
No more beautiful or impressive scene
could be witnessed than that of re-
deemed nation, ceasing from it's daily toll
and gathering around the graves of it's
defenders, bearing offerings of the love
and gratitude which great people feel
towards those who gave their lives in de-
tense of their country.
Plutarch tells of witnessing the 600th
memorial service in honor of the Athen-
ians who died at Marathon. We are only
in the youth Of ours, but the memorial is
so becoming, and has already Been so
fruitful in blessing that it will surely
continue to be observed as long as the
republic endures.
To every soldier Of the union 1t is a
day filled with sweet and precious men,
cries. Unlike the dead of other wars,
the memory of our comrade never fades.
Though unseen by mortal eye, they will
walk by our side, and their place in our
hearts remains untitled.
We rejoice as the day approaches, and
in ever diminishing numbers lovingly deck
with flowers the multiplying graves of our
comrades. In broken column and with
pnfppDIQ0 StpD still 40
they loved so well, and march to the
same music to which their loyal feet were
attuned, our hearts pulsing with joyous
pride as we realize that the memory of
those who fell in defense of freedom and
the right is immortal
Comrades will therefore, in compliance
with well established custom, fittingly
observe Friday, May 80, 1902 as Memorial
Day.
Post commanders are requested to in
vite clergymen of every denomination to
deliver appropriate addresses on the Sab
bath preceding Memorial Day. and as
far as practicable posts should attend
divine service on that day.
Post commanders are requested to ask
the schools in their respective localities
to hold patriotic services Immediately nre-
ceding Memorial Dav, and cooperate with
the teachers and school officers in such
services. This duty is of special import
ance, for unless the deeds of the fathers
live in the hearts of the children the al
tar of liberty will be without incense
The beautiful ceremony of strewing
with flowers the waters that run to the
sea in memory of our sailor dead who
fell IN the cause of the republic is heart
lily commended. May the myriad streams
as they go laughing and sparkling on
their joyous journey to the sea, carry
some for-get-me-not to those who sleep
urdisturbed in its restless bosom.
The Womans Relief Corps, Sons of
Veterans, Ladies of the Grand Army of
the Republic and kindred organizations,
and all citizens who sympathize with the
spirit of the day, are cordially invited to
unite with us in it's proper observance.
President Lincoln's Gettysburg address
is published herewith, and in accord
ance with the resolution of the thirtieth
national encampment, will be read at all
Memorial Day exercises held under the
auspices of the Grand Army of the Re-
public.
Ell Torrance.
Commander-in-C Chief.