The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-16
BIRMINGHAM BOILER WORKS

the man knew they would, and because of this great faith and courage and in- dustry, the people of Utah celebrate July 24 as "Pioneers' Day."
 The decoration of the graves of the soldiers in America is of southern ori- gin, the women of Georgia and Alabama beginning the work as early as 1866. Other states took up the pretty idea in both the north and the south, and now there are two legal holidays in some of the states, for where sentiment was divided in the cos there is a Decoration Day for the Union dead, and Memorial Day for the Confederate dead. For the Union celebration the 30th day of May is the one and only day. This was formerly a. southern date, then became the choice of the Grand Army of the Republic, but it was not until May 5, 1868 that the day was fixed by official order. On that day General Orders No. IT. was issued over the name of John A. Logan, command er-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, naming May 30 as Decoration Day, with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor remains to honor the memory of his de- parted comrades
 Memorial Day varies In the south with the blooming of the flowers. April 26 is observed in four states, May 10 in two, May 30 in one, and June in several
 
 to have June 3, the birthday of Jefferson Davis, set aside by all southern states as Memorial Day. Not long ago writer offered a special plea that the two decora- ton days be united in one and observed as 'Union Day." It was such a fra ternal feeling as this that caused the women of Columbus, Miss, to garland the graves of the Union dead as well as the Confederate one year, and so in- l fIof haa a11ti and the Gray"
 There are only four days In the call endars of the nation and the states that are set aside because they are birthdays of great men. Washington. Lee, Lincoln and Jefferson Davis are so honored. The observance of Washington's birthday Is general and runs the gaInut of varied observance, from the careful reading of his farewell address in Congress and the biennial procession through the streets of historic Alexandria, Va, to gay parties where ices masquerade as cherry trees and hatchets. It is a legal holiday In all states and territories except Missis- sippi. Seven southern states recognize Lees birthday as holiday; IA northern and western states pay like tributes to Lincoln;. and nine southern states set aside Davis birthday. Recently Los An geles set aside as Arbor Day the birth day of the wizard of the plant world, Luther Burbank
 Aside from the observance of Christ mas, the church calendar days on the holiday calendar are few. Shrove Tues day is a holiday in the state of Ala bama and in the parish of Orleans in Louisiana Good Friday is a legal holi- day in nine states. while All Saints Day. November 1, is Louisiana holiday. It is on All Saints Day that this southern city witnesses the decoration of the vaults in Old St. Louis, the most aistocratic of all American cemeteries, for they who lie there were known to high estate in the old days of history. Election day in different states. Arbor Day in 26 and La bor Day in the states and territories ex- cept North Dakota, are considered legal holidays.
 Even as special days in the church cal endar for many centuries have proved a stimulus to religious fervor, so national holidays prove a stimulus to enlightened patriotism. Says George Eliot: "No na- tion has ever become great without holi- days and processions dedicated to the noble.'