The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-04-10
TO HONOR BLUE
AND GRAY ALIKE
Chief of the Grand Army on
Memorial Day.
ISSUES GENERAL ORDER
my Comrades, Ne Are Crossing
the Broad River Sixty Thou
sand Strong Every Year

WASHINGTON. April 10 r Com
mander In chief Tanner Of the Grand
Army of the Republic has issued his
annual address 10 all G. A. Il. posts
regarding the exercises to be conducted
on Memorial day to commemorate the
memory of the Federal soldier dead.
In general order he says
'On the eve of my departure to the
southern. western and Pacific coast de
partments | am reminded of the early
approach Of the day sacred to all com
rades Of the Grand Army of the Re
public.
I'VE have been observing this day
ever since our beloved Logan instituted
il in 1868. This year my comrades, we
are crossing the broad river nc the rate
of 5000 a month, 10000 year: soon
the great majority viii be sleeping
their last sleep, and it is our privilege
now. as il has been for so many years,
to pay loving tribute TO their memory
by decorating their graves with flow
ers which. starting forth from mother
earth with each recurring spripgtime,
are emblematic of resurrection to a
glorious Immortality.
Il am but performing my solemn
duty when | ask all TO assist in this
loving service. Upon department and
post commanders the duty rests Of at
tending 10 the fitting observance of
Memorial day. which this year will fall
on Wednesday, May 30 Welcome all
auxiliary and allied organizations. en-
courage children To attend and assist
and secure speakers who, in clear and
eloquent language, will teach the les
sons of patriotism for which our com
rades gave the last full measure of de-
voton.
Thirty years ago when l was de-
partment commander Of New York. in
a Memorial day order ] then issued
suggested 10 the comrades Of New
York that wherever. from Montauk
Point 10 Buffalo any Confederate sol
der had found sepulchcr among rs
trusted that when we went ont to
laurel the graves OF our Union dead
that our common American manhood
would prevent us passing by the graves
Of our former opponents without drop
ping thereon some floral remembrance
Not, said. in honor of their cause
for that we opposed. fought and con
quered. but because we who met them
on the field of battle know that Drawer
men or better soldiers have not been
known since men were first marshaled
in battle array.
ITO the order Mt large now con
tidently make the same suggestion
We have returned the battle stand
ards of the dead Confederacy 10 those
who treasure them as sacred mcmen
toes OF their loved ones who died I'M
der them The congress of the United
States has just unanimously voted
100000 TO care for the graves of those
dead. and the heart OF the nation has
SAID with great uuanimity, 1T is Well
"Untedly we march along the high
way of nations. rose bushes bloSsoming
over and around and the birds nesting
in the mouths OF The cannon that once
roared defiance aud death at each 9th
ery the world applauding. our con
science approving
IF mothers of the south still sit like
Rachel Of oden tineS. weeping for
their children and refusing to be com
forted because they are not, let the
news go down to them that on our
most sacred day we feel il privilege
to stand in the place of their far dis
tant kinsmen and lovingly mark their
last resting place with flowers Gods
sweetest emblems of peace
The old flag has been rebaptized
since 1868 with the blood OF the north
and the south alike, and the ship of
state is securely anchored for all time"