The Washington times., 1906-05-27
COMMANDER keller
ISSUES ADDRESS
Appeals for Proper Observ-
ance Of Memorial Day.
LESSONS OF CEREMONY
SOlemnity of Occasion FOrcibly In
pressed Upon Veterans and the
Younger Generation.

At the last meeting OF George II
Thomas Post, G. A r, the following
address was issued by Commando
Keeler:
The Commanders Association OF the
Department OF the Potomac, Grand
Army Of the Republic. deems Il a duty
20 respectfully and earnestly invite the
puoie 70 join with those who served in
lne great war, and with the other pa-
trlotic organiza tons. IN doing proper
!loIOr % the patriots who have passed 20
tneE reward, where 10 them the words
oL omar are realized Each morn a
thousand roses bring"
Lessons of Ceremony.
Memorial Day Is nearly at hand. and
It Is believed that those who thought
lessly pervert the scope OF the anniver-
sa-y, especially our younger friends.
should have their attention directed 10
the lessons taught by the ceremonies
incident 10 the day, and 70 ask them
70 join Us n strewing flowers on the
graves Of those who did their duty IN
the dreary days when our Old Glory was
assaulted.
Wide Publicity Requested.
The association would thank all its
friends 70 give this reasonable request
wide publicity IN the Sunday schools.
churches, and other places OF public as
semblage. While We Go not extend our
hope far enough 10 embrace the be-
Eef that Memorial Day will be wholly
dedicated 70 lie high purposes we earn
estly ask all who are IN sympathy with
/ the objects OF The day 70 abstain from
demonstrations that Will detract from
the sacred memories that cluster around
the services Of those whose graves we
strew with flowers on this one day OF
the year which should be given over 70
the men that suffered that we might De
4 lLlUsJV- DrDSTerOLs nation
No Day of Pleasure
L cannot be conceived that a person
would studiously plan for months 70
attend a horse race, or any other form
OF sport. on the anniversary OF the
death OF q dear friend, or that OF
neighbor's friend; that he would search
the calendar that he might participate IN
the pursuit Of pleasure on that spectAc
date.
Conscience Appealed To.
The conception is monstrous. and
would be attributed 70 a lack Of denecy-
and certainly would fail 10 secure public
approval in whole or in part The slight
est reason. based upon good sense. GOOD
morals. or good citizenship could not
be framed that would tolerate sUch ac-
ton Let the public conscience be qulcA-
ened as 10 the primary causes that led
10 the setting apart Of the Soth OF May
FOR remembering the dead heroes who
fought fer humanity
The purple hills that separate US
from the valley of the shadow are
crowded with our comrades whose
march toward the camp that is bright
ened by the light that is not on land
or sea IS paIhetically accelerated by
the raTages OF wounds. disease. and
age. We who remain TO guard the
memory OF the comrades who have
marched away. a million strong, may try
in vain 70 pierce the shadows that hice
them from our view
But the unbTeakable cable Of comrade-
ship. tntertwined with roses. reaches
beyond the smiling and the weeping.
and over X each recurring Memorial
Day we send our messages of love and
CCmradeship. while our faith makes II
possible 70 hear an approval OF our ef-
forts TO keep their day holy. sacred.
Do we ask too much Of our friends
OF the busy world 20 uncover for little
time IN honor OF our comrades?