The National tribune., 1910-05-26
MEMORIAL DAY.

MEMORIAL DAY.
Many Very Beautiful General Orders
Sent Out.
The Commanders of the various De-
partments are sending out their Me-
mortal Day orders. and they are couch-
ed in very beautiful language
Col J. s. Dunlop Commander of the
Department of Texas, says:
''The customary exercises of Me-
mortal Sunday and the 30th of May are
fully set forth in well chosen words OF
our Commander-in-Chief and venera-
tion for the dead of the civil war, is
now so universal II Is deemed unnec-
eSsary to issue mandatory orders to Sc
cure a more heartfelt observance Of
this occasion, than heretofore in this
department. There are now but few
. of our population anywhere, who do not
| fully understand and respect the OBJ
servance of this hallowed day, and be-
| lieve the hope OF our country rests
upon One Country and One Flag
! Comrades. let us see to 1t that il
possible the performance of this serv-
Ice be such that no grave that contains
the honored dust of our beloved dead
be neglected. that with patriotic hands,
flags and flowers be placed thereon.
I
of the G. A. R. to Join in these exer-
cises; their beautiful ritualistic and
musical programs will aid you material
ly, and they viii no doubt take great
pleasure in uniting in this tender, pre-
Ecious duty
The order is countersigned by w F.
Conner, Assistant Adjutant- nt-General.
The Department of Potomac, which
has a greater duty to perform on Me-
2 rfpr
in the whole Nation, in that 1t takes
care of nearly $4,000 graves of vet
Grams. makes preparations on grand
er scale than any other Department.
! The Commander of the Department
has to divide his II Posts up among the
various cemeteries in and around WASH
ington, the larger number of the vet
Grams, of course, going to Arlington.
In his patriotic work he is ably as
sisted by the Women's Relief Corps, the
Ladies of the G. a. r., Daughters Nof
Veterans, and other patriotic organiza-
tions of women
AT most of the cemeteries luncheon
is provided by the Woman's Relief
Corps and at Arlington it is the GUS
tom to give a refreshing cup of coffee
and a light luncheon to every veteran
or son of a veteran and veterans OF
the Spanish war, who come to the
headquarters for it. The number sery-
ed often reaches 5,UOO.
Col. Henry A. Johnson, Command
er of the Department, in his Memorial
Day order, says:
The principles of cur Order enjOin
upon US the beautiful custom of strew-
ing Spring-time flowers on the graves
OF our departed comrades, and 1t is
urged that upon such occasion we re-
frain, for the time, from indulgence in
any pleasure which might reflect either
upon ourselves, our families or our or
ganization. The eyer-increasing num-
Der of graves bear testimony to the
steadily diminishing ranks of our COM
rades; hence we urge the Woman's Re-
lief Corps Sons and Daughters of Vet
Grams, with the children and patriotio
citizens, to assist in this service of de-
votion to our departed comrades. that
such work may be continued Indefinite
ly after the Union soldiers. whose ef-
forts saved the Union in the time Of
its danger, shall have laid down the
burden"
The order is countersigned by o. II.
Oldroyd, Assistant Adjutant.
Gen. Henry NJ. Austin, Commander
of the Department Of Alabama, says:
Comrades - Memorial Day - Our
Day-is near at hand. and without any
direct orders from your Commander.
know that every comrade of the
Grand Army in this Department will
Monday, May 80, as we wend our way
to the silent camping ground Of those
who have gone before, to place above
each mound of a comrade the Flag
for which we all offered ourselves. our
lives, if need be, and to scatter the fra
grant blossoms of Springtime. Recall
ing the many heroic deeds OF the past
ON the field, in hospital or prison
pen-it is our privilege, our tender
duty to honor and keep green the
of departed comrades A
sacred trust which will be faithfully
observed so long as any OF us remain
on this side of life's stream, and when
the Grand Army becomes only MEM
Dry, younger hearts are ready to con-
tinue the work of love and patriotio
duty.
LAS recommended in National Orders.
wherever the grave of a Confederate
soldier is found place flowers there
,n as tribute to the unselfish devo.
ion and sublime heroism OF the Ameri-
,an soldier"
The opder is countersigned by ChaS.
= Chaplin, Assistant Adiutant-General.
Mrs. Annie l.. Pender. President of
he Department of Rhode Island, in
Ter Memorial Day order. says:
'On that day let us show we honor
he memory of those who sacrificed
heir lives on the field of battle. and
heir comrades who have since fallen
rom the ranks. by assisting the G.. A
R. in this solemn pledge.
"if other eyes grow dun and oth-
r. hands slack and othe- hearts grow
old in this solemn trust, ours shall keep
t as long as the light and warmth or
ife shall remain in US.
Lovingly and tenderly may this SER
ice be rendered by the w. r. c. and
" the children, teaching them to re-
ere and honor the memory of those
Who died that our country undivided
night. be preserved.
Bring flowers. sweet flowers,
Roses and lilies and violets blue,
IS the zephyrs of Freedom wave gen.
tly o'erhead,
Whispering prayer for the patriot
dead.
10 in our hearts we'll cover them over
With roses and lilies and violets blue,
'arent, husband, brother and lover,
Who in mountain and hillside ana
dell,
Rest where they wearied and lie where