The National tribune., 1906-08-16

been selected by the President as the
almoner of the propie
subsequently the San Francisco Posts
appointed a G.. a. r. Relief Committee
to cooperate with the military authori-
ties and the Red Cross Society, and al
the request of Cornyade A. d. Cutler
Chairman of the committee. 1 issued q
second appeal on the 11th of May. again
j through the instrumentality of the
Press Associations. requesting future
contributions of aid be sent to that
/ committee.
Thereafter the Ssth Annual Encamp-
ment of the Department of California
| and Nevada was held at Redding, Cal
May 1919. and adopted resolutions
authorizing the appointment of Spe-
cial Relief Committee, with the De-
| partment Commander. VIM. c. Alberg-
| er. as Chairman, "to have entire control
| of the disbursement of all funds con-
| tributed." and third appeal in accord
| anee with this action was published on
the 30th of June in General Orders No.
10.
| In General Orders No I requested
| that a statement of all contributions
| made by Posts. either of money or sup
| plies, to the sufferers from the earth
| quake. be reported to Department Com
manders. and that the reports be tabu-
| lated, and a consolidated report there
of be forwarded from each Department
| to National Headquarters not later than
July 90. Thus far (July) two reports
| have been received. 1t Is known that
| large contributions have been made.
and if received in time the reports will
be published for the information of the
Encampment.
Memorial Day.
Each year the 3Oth of May is more
and more observed as a Memorial Day
for the dead. The Grand Army of the
Republic stands pre-eminent in its OBJ
servance of the day. but year by year
the custom has grown. until 1t embraces
the length and breadth of the land. and
the day is now a sacred one for multi
tudes of all nationalities in all walks of
life
Thus this custom, beautiful in its in
ception. has been instrumental in weav-
ing and blending the people of this
country, Obliterating their differences,
and thus has been verified the predic-
ton of Lincoln, that "the mystic chords
of memory. stretching from every bat
tlefield and patriot grave to every liv-
ing heart and hearthstone all over this
broad land. will yet swell the chorus of
the Union. when again touched. as surely
they will be, by the better angels of our
nature"
Feeling the truth of these words of
the Martyred Lincoln, when 1t became
my duty to issue the order for Memo
rial Day, / told my comrades of an in
cident that happened 80 years ago, ami
said that [ trusted when we went out
to laurel the graves of our Union dead
our common American manhood would
prevent US passing by the graves of our
former opponents without dropping
thereon some floral remembrance. Not,
l said, in honor of their cause for that
we opposed, fought and conquered, but
because we who met them on the field
of battle knew that braver men or bet
ter soldiers have not been known since
men were first marshaled in battle ar
ray II I'm
Quite a number of touching, even
loving, messages have come to me from
mothers of the South whose sons are
buried on Northern soil, pouring out
their appreciation Of the spirit embod-
led in my Memorial Day Order recon-
mendations regarding the graves of
those Confederates buried on Northern
soil.
They are too tender and sacred to be
heralded publicly. but if I had received
but 1ne single such communication /
would in my own heart feel amply JUS
titled for the recommendation 1 had the
honor to make.
There can be but one opinion
throughout our whole country. 1t seems
to me, regarding the continued d secra-
ton of our Memorial Day by ball
games, circuses and other forms of
popular amusement.
/ have faith enough in the American
people to believe that where the mat
ter is properly presented to the con-
stituted authorities in the various COM
munities in the land that almost with
out exception proper action will be
taken by them forbidding these desc
crations. A marked illustration of the
truth of this l find in the case of the
Common Council of the city of Topeka.
Kan, who, having before them an ap-
plication for license for a circus to
exhibit on Memorial Day, were ad-
dressed in a most earnest, dignified and
eloquent protest by Department Com
mander Coney, and who thereupon
unanimously refused to grant the de-
sired permit.
We owe it to the memory of our dead
comrades and ourselves to make this
protest in every instance; then if the
outrage be permitted the responsibility
Is not upon us in any degree whatever
Tile Washington Post narrates a pa
thedc little incident which serves to
show how well the bond between the
North and South has been cemented
under the Stars and Stripes. It occurred
on the afternoon Of Memorial Day, in
Glenwood Cemetery. The graves of the
men who had fought in the service of
the United States in the days that tried
mems souls" had been decorated with
flags and flowers. and the G. A R
men and others who had participated
IN the ceremonies had departed.
About o'clock in the afternoon a
tall man with a bronze countenance
appeared. In his hand he carried a
small bunch of daisies which had been
sold in front of the entrance to the
cemetery. With a firm tread he walked
into the office and asked where a GER
tain grave was located One of the
Superintendents of the cemetery knew
that in an isolated spot rested the body
of one who had fallen under the STARS
and bars" A guide showed him to the
lot and pointed out the grave. With
tears streaming from his eyes. the old
fellow walked forward and deposited
the bunch Of daisies. Then reaching
down in the inside pocket of his coat
he drew forth flag. 1t was old, tat
tered and torn. and its center showed
where the banner had been pierced by
bullets. 1t required a few moments to |
bring the furls out properly, and the |
flag had to be handled tenderly, for it |
looked as though 1t would fall to pieces |
Then the man walked out and picked |
up a small twig and wrapped the end |
of the flag around it, and returning to |
the crave nlanfed the fac Of tho ba,J /