Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-05-27
Concerning MemorIaI DAY.

Concerning Memorial Day.
Again Memorial day approaches and
again we prepare to honor the heroes of
that great struggle which preserved our
nation-to voice to the living our graft
tude and appreciation of their deeds and
to lay upon the graves Of the departed
the mute tribute of flowers. 1t is the dav
when even the children feel the thrill OF
patriotism as they keep step with the old
soldiers in their march to the village
cemetery, and all over this broad land is
heard the drum beat to which the falter-
ing step of the veteran can no longer keep
perfect time. From city, town and ham
let professions will be seen winding their
way TO the quiet resting places Of the
dead, to scatter the blossoms of MAY over
every fiag-Dlarked mound. The night
est nation on earth will pause to remeul-
Der those who cemented the federation Of
states with their blood and made sc plur-
ibus unum" living truth.
In 1868 Gen. John A. Logan, at that
time commander-in-chief OF the Grand
Army of the Republic, promulgated an
order calling upon all comrades to OBJ
serve the 3Oth day Of May as Decoration
day-to seek out every comrades grave
and to decorate it With the choicest bios
SONS of early springtime. Since that
time, by Legislative enactment, the 10th
day of May has become a legal holiday.
under the title of Memorial day. This
year the S0th day OF May occurs on Sun
day, and the 18th or 31st of May will be
observed as Memorial day.
For 40 successive years the Grand
Army has observed this day by visiting
the silent camping grounds where sleep
the comrades, the nations dead. and hon.
oring their memory by garlsnding their
mounds with flags and flowers and teach
ing the lessons of patriotism to all vi no
may unite with them and to the genera
ton growing up around them.
In his general order Commander-in-
Chief Henry NJ. Nevins of the g. A. r.
says:-"Upon department and post CON-
maDders the duty rests of attending o
the fitting observance of the day. / earn
estly hope and desire that should a Cor
federate grave be found in any camping
ground visited by the @. A. r. that his
grave may not be passed by, but that flag
and flowers be placed upon it. The war
is over and peace reigns and the old flag
floats over all, and though be fell in the
Lost Cause, we're be living today be
would be found following the flag. Let
us forgive, as the nation forgave his COM
rades who survived him.
department and post commanders are
reminded Of the fact that their memorial
exercises should include attendance upon
divine service in body on Sunday even
ing, May 30, and that all allied organiza-
tions be invited to attend with them
whenever practicable.
"The address OF President Lincoln 81
Gettysburg November 10, 1858, shall be
read at all Memorial day exercises.
"The national encampment recognizes
the 14th day of June as Flag day, to be
observed by all members of the G. A. r.
annually in the display of the United
States flag to commemorate the birthday
of the flag on the date OF its adoption by
Congress-June IA, 1877. All comrades
must see to it that Old Glory is thrown to
the breeze at his home June IA and invite
his friends and neighbors to do the
same"
Through the fundamentally Of Miss
Ann Jarvis of Philadelphia, the second
Sunday in May has been set apart as
Mothers day to be observed universally
by family worship and special services
and by the wearing OF a white earnation.
The observance has not yet become quite
universal but is receiving more and more
attention.