Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-05-27
MEMORIAL DAY
':.. IN AMERICAN HISTORY

1t is rare one can be found that ha
not been improved through the in
y fection introduced, originally, by tn
5 Grand Army of the Republic.
The Grand Army OF the Republic
> as an organization has now been ii
, existence 40 years. Its experiences
have been much as has that of othei
| similar organizations, at times pros
, porous and at others discouraging
but, mpon the whole, its members
may truly feel proud of its record
II is safe to say that large majority
of the survivors of the Civil wal
are, or have been, affiliated with the
organization, at the same time 1t Is
a fact that many are found in every
community who have let their mem.
bership lapse and their interest in
the order die out. Some of these
are excusable because of the infirm-
tiles incident to old age and disease,
but too many do so from loss of in
terest, the result of continued ne
glect OF their fealty to the order, but
they almost invariably retain and
dioplay the little bronze button as an
insignia of their former membership
Notwithstanding the fact that Il is
contrary to the rules. of the order
and the statutes OF the state Of Or
egon for them to wear the same
when not in good standing with their
post.
The Woman's Relief Corps, an
auxiliary to tho Grand Army of the
Republic, originated in Portland,
Me-, in 1869. Ten years later o
state relief corps was organized in
the state of Massachusetts,.
The fifteenth national encamp-
ment of the G.. A. r. held in India
napolis, in June, 1881 authorized the
formation OF Woman's Relief
Corps auxiliary to the Grand Army
OF the Republic, and at the national
encampment held in Denver in July,
1883 II was Resolved that we cor
daily hail the organization OF the
Woman's Relief Corps, and extend
our greeting to them. We return
our warmest thanks to the loyal wo-
men OF the land for their earnest
support and encouragement, and bid |
them God speed IN their work"
which fixed the status of the organ
ization. Tho Woman's Relief |
Corps is a secret organization work.
Ing under a ritual, and all loyal |
women are eligible 10 membership
therein. No relief corps can ex-
LIST as a part of the national order
which is not auxiliary to a post OF
the G. A. II.
The w. r. G. has from the first
been a loyal worker with the G. A.
r., and more often than otherwise
taken the lead in all benevolent and
relief work in which they have been
engaged, which has been consider
able in this city and vicinity, and
they are entitled to unbounded cred
L for their support and encourage.
ment In the exercises incident upon
he observance of Memorial Day.
Their connection with the post
seems 10 complete the family, rend-
sring each more efficient in the per.
'ormanee OF all the duties encumbaut
lpon them by the laws and rules
,f the order
ladies of the Grand Army of the
RepubIie
Sometime in the SOS the Ladies' of
he Grand Army composed of the
wives, widows, mothers and daugh-
ars of soldiers. was organized, and.
hough not as large an organization
Is the w, r. C. II is well represented
n all of the states and territories.
n many cases they are accepted and
recognized as auxiliary to posts of
he G. A. r. The objects of the or
;anization are practically the same
is are those of their sisters of the
I
". h. c. They. too. have always
'een enthusiastic in their observance
# their rituahst!c services on Me-
norial Day. II hes been the custom
II the circle in this city TO give a
rec dinner TO all od soldiers upon
uch holidays as New Years, Memoir
al Day, and Washington's birthday,
whereas ii has been the custom o.
he w. r. C. to furnish supper in ]
he evening. With two such organl-
ations in fiourishing condition ,
here is not much danger of the old S
'eterans going hungry or suffering
or want OF attention from the fair !
ex. III
n 4