The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-05-20
ORIGIN OF MEMORIAL DAY.
A Georgia Woman First Suggested
the Patriotic Custom.

Tom OF SeGGlDH apart one Qay annually
for the decoration OF the graves Of the
heroes OF the Lost Cause" originated
In Columbus, Ca, 1866. The woman
to whom we owe this lovely inspira-
tion was Mrs. Mary Ann Howard Will
liams.
Mrs. Williams was the daughter OF
Maj. John Fl. Howard, Of Columbus,
and wife Of Maj. @. j. Williams, who
served In the Mexican war as major
OF the First Georgia. regiment, COM
manded by Col. Henry Il. Jackson.
Col. Williams commanded the First
Georgia regulars in the war between
the States and died In the service.
After her husbands death, Mrs.
Williams devoted her life to the care
Of Confederate soldiers, and it was,
through her anxious thought for their
welfare and comfort, that she con-
ceived and put into active operation
from Virginia to Georgia the benefi-
cent system OF the "Wayside Homes" I"
where any Confederate soldier could
receive at any time rest and refresh
ment and also medical attention, IL i'll
or wounded. These "Wayside Homes"
were the means Of nestimable good
all during the war. One OF Mrs.
Williams annual customs was the dec
Grafton Of her husbands grave on the
anniversary Of his death, and on one
occasion her little daughter, Florence,
accompanied her to assist in the low
ing duty. Missing the little girl after
they had been thus occupied for a
hort while she also missed large
proportion Of the flowers, and on her
return her mother said:
Why, Florence, you have taken
nearly all Of my flowers"
On, mamma" she said; "they
we're soldiers, too."
The little girl had scattered her
flowers, as far as they would 90, on
the graves Of other soldiers, who were
buried near by.
This incident first brought to Mrs
Williams mind the idea OF devoting
one day annually to decorating in low.
ing memory the graves of the men
who wore the grey" The following
is the letter written by her to the Co.
lumbus Times, suggesting the idea
that was accepted and has been in op.
eraJion ever since and that the Daugh-
terS Of the Confederacy, the Confed-
crate veterans and all true Southerners
hope will continue, through the years
to come in the spirit in which it was
intended, a day n ade sacred as the
South'S tribute to the men who gave
their lives fnr their country, and net
as day for holiday sports.
Mrs. Williams died in Columbus, on
April is, 1874, and was buried witt.
military honors, and her grave is
decorated by loving hands on every
Memorial Day.
Following is the letter to the Co.
lunbus Times written by Mrs. Will
liams in which the plan of setting
apart one day for the decoration OF
Confederate soldiers graves was first
suggested:
Columbus, Ga, March II, 1866.
Mcssrs. Editors: The ladies are
now, and have been for several days,
engaged In the. sad, but pleasant duty
of ornamenting and improving that
portion Of the city cemetery sacred
to the memory or our gallant Con.
federate dead, but we feel 1t is an un-
finished work unless day be set apart
annually for its especial attention.
We cannot raise monumental shafts.
and inSctibe thereon their many deeds
of herOiSm, but we can keep alive the
memory Of the debt we owe them by
dedicating at least one day in each
year to embelliSh their humble graves
with flowers.
Therefore, we beg the assistance Of
the press, and the ladies throughout
the South, to aid US in the effort to
set apart certain day to be observed,
from the Potomac to the Rio Grande,
and be handed down through time as
a religious custom Of the South, to
wreath the graves Of our martyred
dead with flowers, aud we propose the
Goth day of April as the day.
Let every city, town, and village
join in the pleasant duty, let all alike
be remembered, from the heroes of
Manassa to these who expired amid
the death thrOeS OF our hallowed cause.
Well crown the honored resting
place OF the immortal Jackson in
Virginia, Johnston at Shiloh, Gle.
burne in Tennessee, and the host of
gallant privatcS who adorned our
ranks. All did their duty, and to all
we owe our grantitude.
Let the soldiers graves, from that
day at least be the Mecca to whose
shrine her sorrowing women like
pilgrims may annually bring their
grateful hearts and floral offerings,
and when we remember the thousands
who were buried with their martial
cloaks around thcm,' without Chris
tian ceremony OF interment, we would
invite the aid Of the most thrilling
elOQuence Throughout the land to in
augurate this custom, by delivering
on the appointed day this year a
eulOgy on the unburied dead OF our
glorious Southern army. They died
for their country. Whether their
country had or had not the right to
demand this sacrifice is no longer
for discussion. We leave that for ma
tions to decide in the future. That
it was demanded, that they fought
nobly and fell, holy sacrifices upon
their country's altar and are entitled
to their country's gratitude none will
deny. The proud banner under which
they rallied In defence Of the holiost
and nobleSt cause, for which they
suffered and died, has now no name
nor place among the nations OF the
earth.
Legislative enactmentS may not be
made TO do honor to their memories,
but the veriest radical that ever trac-
ed his gcnealogy back to the deck OF