New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-30
THE FUTURE or THE DAY

The common and true observation that
the character Of the celebration Of Me-
mortal Day has materially changed since
its early years is now beginning to be
supplemented with the pathetic rcaliza-
tion that the personality Of those who
celebrate it is rapidly undergoing com
plete transformation. At first 1t was pre-
eminently the day Of the veteran SOL
diers. They decorated the graves Of
their fallen comrades. They formed the
paradeS. and if some Of the militia and
other bodies also participated they were
mere adjunct TO the great body of the
Grand Army Of the Republic. In late
years. however, the veterans have be-
come a small minority in the paradeS
and other public gatherings. and In many
places they have all but disappeared.
This year it is announced in many places
where once were numerous posts of the
Grand Army that as the veterans are
no longer able 10 do the work Of deco
rating the graves that pious duty will be
performed by other organizations.
In few more years, then, all those
who are most directly interested In the
day. and who have most earnestly strlven
10 maintain for II some semhlance of its
original purport, will have disappeared,
and the entire responsibility for the per
petuation Of the observance will rest
upon citizens who had no personal part
in the Civil War. That circumstance
will naturally raise the question of the
character which the day shall assume as
a permanent anniversary entirely de-
tached from personal sentiment. In only
slight degree has the same thing hap
pened in the case of the Fourth Of July
for that was from the beginning IN i'm
personal anniversary and while the last
Of the signers died long ago. and not for
generation has any one survived who
was alive even as an infant in 1776 there
is intrinsically no reason why the pres
ent generation should not feel as keen an
interest in the day and its celebration as
those felt who were participants in the
historic scene in Independence Hall.
1t is TO he hoped that there will be a
similar perpetuation of interest in Me
mortal Day. hut if that IS to be the case
there must be a certain readjustment Of
attitude toward It. and even some change
in its purport. The veteran grieves over
the tomb Of his comrade. and the son
over the grave Of his father But the
feelings Of the grandson and great-grand-
son will differ in intensity from those Of
the son. What is inevitable is that the
element of personal mourning for the
dead will diminish even to the vanishing
point. and what is desirable-indeed in
dispenSable TO proper perpetuation Of
the days that there shall be n CORE
spending increase Of appreciation Of and
devotion 10 the results Of their sacrifice.
The time will never come when tributes
Of affection and honor should not and
will not be paid to the memory OF the
dead of the Union army. But the lapse
Of time should mean a steadily inCreaS-
ing tribute Of loyalty to the cause for
which they died. Remote generations
may have no kinship with the men who
persisted IN the Civil War, hut they will
not be divorced from vital interest in the
Union which was then restored and I'M
mutually confirmed