Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-27
SCHOOLS TO CLOSE
PREPARATIONS FOR THE oBsER.
VANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY
NEXT TUESDAY,.

VANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY
NEXT TUESDAY,.
Decoration Day First Established as
National Day by General John A.
Logan in 1S6s-An Exact Copy of
the Original Order.
Following the usual custom the
schools of the city will close on the
afternoon of Tuesday May 80. to af-
lord all the pupils wishing to do SO an
opportunity to participate in the Me-
mortal day exercises. The stores and
public buildings will nearly all be
closed and the services this year are
expected to be of an unusually impress
sive nature.
On Memorial day exercises will be
conducted in the morning by the j. M.
futile Post of South Ottumwa, at Odd
Fellows hall. A committee will be ap-
pointed to decorate the graves OF the
departed members who were laid to
rest in the Shaul cemetery. 1t is ex-
pected that a parade through the bust
ness part of the South Side, headed
by the South Ottumwa band, will pre-
cede the exercises at the hall where
there will be good music and an adj
dress by Rev. Isaac Goodman, pastor
Of the Second Congregational church.
At Ottunnwa Cemetery.
At 2 O'Clock in the afternoon the
parade will form in line near the court
house under the direction of Cloutman
Post, G. A. R., Captain W. H. G.
Jaques will be the chief marshal of the
day and will have for his aide, John
K Mahon and ]. K. Dysart A squad
of police, the Fifty-fourth Regimental
band, the Sons of Veterans, school
children, old soldiers, Women's Re-
lief Corps, and citizens generally have
been invited to participate in the pa
rade. At the cemetery Rev. Father
j. G.. White, pastor of ST. Patrick's
Catholic church will deliver the ora
ton. The graves of the old soldiers
will be decorated with flowers by the
school children under the direction Of
a G.. A. R. committee and there will be
special music.
Established In 1868.
Decoration Day as national holiday
was established on May 5, 1868, when
General John A. Logan. then comman-
der in chief, issued general order No.
II, for the first general observance
Of Memorial day and established the
30th day of May as an annual date
for this custom The following is an
exact copy of this original order as is
sued In 1868:
Headquarters Grand Army Of the Re-
public, Adjutant Generals Office
446 Fourteenth street, Washington,
d. c. May 5, 1868.
General Order No IL.
1. The Both day of May, 1868, is des-
ignated for the purpose of strewing
flowers or otherwise decorating, the
graves of comrades who died in the
defense of their country during the
late rebellion, and whose bodies now
lie in almost every city, village and
hamlet churchyard in the land In
this observance no form or ceremony
is prescribed, but posts and comrades
will in their own way arrange such fit
ting services and testimonials of re-
spect as circumstances may permit.
Cherish Memory of Dead.
We are organized, comrades, as our
regulations tell us, for the purpose,
among other things. "of preserving
and strengthening those kind and fra
ternal feelings which have bound to-
gcther the soldiers, sailors and ma
rines who united to suppress the late
rebellion" What can aid more to as
sure this result than cherishing ten
derby the memory of our heroic dead,
who made their breasts barricade
between our country and its foes?
Their soldier lives were the reveille
of freedom of race in chains and
their death the tattoo of rebellious tyr
amy in arms. We should guard their
graves with sacred vigilance. All that
the consecrated wealth and taste of
the nation can lid to their adorn-
ment and security is but a fitting trib-
ute to the memory of her slain de-
tenders. Let no wanton foot tread on
such hcllowed grounds. Let pleasant
paths invite the coming and going of
reyerent visitors and fond mourners.
Let no vandalism of avarice or ne
elect, nor ravages of time, testify to
the present or the coming generations
that we have forgotten as people the
cost of free and undivided republic.
Renew Pledges.
II other eyes grow dull, other hands
slack and other hearts cold in the SOL
emn trust, ours shall keep it well as
long as the light and warmth of life
remains to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed,
gather around their sacred remains,
and garland the passionless mounds
above them with the choicest flowers
Of springtime; let us raise above them
the dear old flag they saved from dis
honor, let us in this solemn presence
renew our pledge to aid and assist
those whom they have left among us
a sacred charge upon, nations graft
tude, the soldiers and sailors orphan
and widow.
2. 1t is the purpose of the comman-