The National tribune., 1906-08-16

! from his eyes he walked away. and one
of the Northern men said. NO wonder
we had TO fight"
Memorial Sunday.
| BY common consent the Sunday pre-
| ceding Memorial Day has become gen.
| orally known as Memorial Sunday. and
| accordingly on the 18th of May l issued
an order requesting comrades as Posts
or individuals to duly observe the day
The growing custom in many places
| of regarding Memorial Day as a mere
| holiday for games and amusements can
| it Is hoped. be checked by observing
Memorial Sunday in manner to i'm
press the thoughtless with the solemn
| meaning of the one day in all the year
when the Grand Army of the Republic
| thus publicly seeks to preserve the
memory of those who fought in defense
| of the National Unity.
Southern Memorial Fund.
It was decided early not to ask for
| contributions this year for the South
ern Memorial Fund. The balance on
hand was believed TO be amply sufficient
to defray the usual expenses connected
with the observance of Memorial Day
in the South, and the result demon
strates the wisdom of that decision.
There has been expended S2,296.4s
and there is a balance in the treasury
to the credit of the fund of S1.243.75.
Thus all legitimate expenses for that
purpose have been met, a balance will
be turned over to the next administra-
ton. and the comrades and auxiliary
societies have not been called upon for
help, which, while it could not have
been foreseen, was especially fortunate
because of the appalling disaster at San
Francisco to which they SO generously
responded.
Patriotic Eddcatien.
This department of Grand Army
work has had another year of develop
ment-the eighth consecutive year un-
der the special management of the now
National Patriotic Instructor, Comrade
Allan C. Bakewell-not only Staff Of
ficer, but a member of the Council of
Administration.
The year now closing has been ex-
perimental under the plan set in mo-
uion by an amendment to the Rules and
Regulations of the Order, adopted at
the last National Encampment
1t is not necessary for me to set be-
fore you the detail of management
which has SO successfully proven the
wisdom of the new method employed.
The report of the National Patriotic In
structor published in the Roster of the
Encampment fully sets forth the plan
and purpose and results of another year
of faithful service as unselfsh as all
hitherto given, and bestowed with the
same personal liberality, relieving the
administration OF every attendant ex-
pense or draft upon the financial re-
sources of this organization.
The system so fully outlined in the
report has achieved remarkable results,
and the subject is commended to your
earnest consideration, with every con-
fidence that its measures and sugges-
tons will have your approval and sup
port.
l cannot and should not refrain from
adding my testimony to the value to the
country of this important part of Grand
Army history and patriotism, a benefit
which Will outlast, in method and eff
feet, all other purposes of our existence
as an Order.
We owe much as soldiers and pa
triots to those of our comrades VINO are
devoting their last years in illustrating
SO beautifully the spirit of loyalty-the
uplifting and supporting keystone of
the arch on which our Order rests.
Younger generations will follow the ex-
ample so nobly set, and may the meth
DDS we have inaugurated broaden and
enlighten until peace shall rule the
world and war shall be no more.
Flag Day.
This year witnessed the first observ-
ance of Flag Day, following the official
recognition by the 39th National En-
campment of the 14th Of June az the
day to be observed by all members of
the Grand Army of the Republic in the
display of the United States Flag to
commemorate its birthday in 1777.
In the Capital of the Nation as else
where there was a very general observ-
ance of the day, the Flag being in evi-
dence everywhere.
In the Congress of the United States
prayer was offered at the opening ses-
sion of each House as follows:
In the Senate by Rev. Charles Cuth-
bert Hall. d. D.: 80, God of Nations,
who setteth up one and putteth down
another, most heartily we thank Thee
for Thy good providence toward us and
our fathers. We bless Thee for the
foundation of this Republic on princi-
Piles Of truth and humanity. We call to
remembrance the illustrious founders
of our constitutional liberty and all 9TH
ers who by life or death have served
and suffered for the welfare of the
State.
"Inasmuch as on this day. by COM
mon consent, the Flag of the United
States Is honored and exalted among
the people, we beseech Thee to protect
and sanctify that Flag forever by the
sure defenSes of Righteousness. Give
unto us and to our children the spirit
of reverence and obedience. Let integ-
rity and uprightness preserve US.
Cleanse the Nation from whatsoever de-
fleth or maketh ashamed. EnnoDle all
citizens with the purpose of goodness,
10 the end that throughout all the world
the Flag of the United States may be a
symbol of honor, of brotherhood, of
peace"
In the House of Representatives by
our comrade. Rev. Henry n. Couden,
d. D.. the blind CHAPLAIN of the House:
I'VE bless Thee, o God, our heavenly
Father, for the spirit of '76 which NOV
ed our fathers to high and holy re-
solves, illustrious deeds and glorious
achievements. which gave to us a Gov
ernment of the people, by the people,
which they carried to victory on thou
sand fields Of battle. dear to every
American heart, emblem of liberty and
freedom, law and order, peace and good
will. God grant that 1t may wave on in
until every people of every
CLINE shall feel its influence and rest
secure in their sacred rights under its
and protecting folds, and Thine |
be the praise through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen"
As matter Of interest, 1 will state |
that the Flag displayed that day from
National Headquarters was the FlagI
presented last wear az Denver TO tho