The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-05-30

Memorial day In Astoria viii be OBJ
served an a holiday and Cushing post,
10. A. r. the ladies OF the g. A. r. and
the Woman's Relief Corps viii strew
beautiful flowers upon the graves Of
the dead heroes and have arranged an
appropriate program for the exercises
this evening to be given at Flshers'
Iopera house, The national G.. A. II.
and w. II. G. have issued special or.
lders for the observance OF the day.
Mindful Of the deeds and sacrifices
OF our cornty's brave defenders W
honor their memory and gratefully OBJ
lserye Memorial day. Each year bringi
more Significance TO the hallowed Sus-
toms as the myriad flags Of the sllen;
tents In the great encampment where
dust and ashes sleep" are multiplied.
and the ranks OF the Grand Army
which gathers for this beautiful tribu;r
IL rapidly thinning and closing up.
Forty years have passed since the
carnage Of battle cleared and the EN-
blems Of civil liberty ware again re-
Istored. But we cannot forget the
fearful cost. the thousands vino
marched away with flying colors. down
ito the gl)ry fields to die for eternal
fright. On this. the nations sacred
day. we recall anew their bravery
amid the roar and shrek Of bursting
shell their voluntary sacrifices wher-
ever duty called. and their steadfasi
devotion 20 principle and loyalty tc
the flag. Worthy df special homo
are those men. removed from the In
spring activities OF war. wasted thei
lives In damp and noxious prison.
sooner than betray the country which
gave them birth-who preferred dea,
rather than dishonor.
Not only may We bring the fragran
fiowers TO garland each soldiers grave
but We can teach younger generation
that love of country Is a noble passion
and that brave deeds are worthy of
remembrance and emulation. We
should bring some message OF COM
fort and cheer to the comrades who
too aged and infirm to take part in
the exercises OF the day. are waiting
TO cross over the river and rest under
the shade Of the trees. so shall we
comfort the living as well as honor
the dead.
The Grand Army OF the Republic
Sas organized in 1866. The maximum
membership was reached In 1890. when
4Os4Ss names were enrolled. For the
last four years the numbers of the
organization have steadily dwindled.
In 1888, the annual death rate among
every 10000 veterans was 90. Now II
is 1862. In 1894 the membership had
fallen TO SGs.0S3, an average OF 10000
d1aths annually. In 1904 the member.
ship was 24S,2s1. The army fades
away and It cannot be recruited. None
but soldiers. sailors and marines who
fought In the civil war are eligible. The
day is not far distant when the last
OF the Grand Army shall have an
swered to his name. At TIE time of
the last annual report from various
government officers in Washington.
2l75 veterans were employer. of whom,
g26 were over 70 years OF age.
But when the time comes, when the
last one shall have answered his las
roll call, the rising generations will
continue to observe Memorial day and
win see that beautiful flowers are
planted upon the graves of these
brave boys in blue.
Day by day their ranks are thinning.
one by one they disappear.
And at each succeeding ron CALL fewer
voiees.answer, 'heye."
Still their regiments are marching,
many march with noiseless tread,
And no bugle sound ASSEMBLY" in the
bivouac Of the dead.
Glorious tales of gallant service echo
still on every hand.
Charge and selge and bitter hardship.
comrades lost on sea and land.
Now reunited nation joins to bless
the honored dead.
Though thoughtful OF the living who
have likewise fought and bled.
Hats are 'everently lifted to the heroes
lying here;
Lift them to the living heroes. hail
them all with cheer on cheer.
Not for long win they be with us: soon
each regiment will be
Tented here beneath the blossoms Of
the land 1t helpsd to free.
But today the drums are muhied and
the flag at half-mast waves,
Keeping green dead heroes m morle
as the grass above their graves