The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1912-06-07
RANKS OF THE GREAT SILENT
ARMY ARE BEING RAPIDLY
RECRUITED.
-laas For All Grav es-Flrst Order for
Memorial Day Was Re-Read as
Special Feature.

Topeka, Kan.-Approximately 1,2OC
more flags were planted on Memorial
Day, over graves of veterans of the
Civil war buried in Kansas than a
year ago.
The records at the headquarters OF
the Kansas department of the Grand
Army of the Republic show that COS
members of the Kansas department
died during the past year. There
are about 10000 old soldiers in
Kansas, who belong to the Grand
Army. Altogether there are between
10000 and $4,000 veterans of the Union
army in Kansas. With more than 600
deaths of members Of various posts
during the year, and just about half of
the Union veterans in Kansas men,
bers of the Grand army, it is probable
that at least 1000 old soldiers died in
the state during the past twelve
months.
Memorial Day is always widely OBJ
served in Kansas. Addresses, the an
nual parades, and the decoration of
the graves were very generally observ-
ed this year.
The first order for Memorial Day
was made by General John A. Logan
in May, 1868, when he was commander
in-chief of the Grand Army. This or
der was read this year throughout the
country at the exercises, in addition to
the Gettysburg address. General Lo-
gan's order follows:
1.-THE Goth day of May, 1868, is desig-
mated for the purpose of strewing with
flowers or otherwise decorating the
gra, es of comrades who died in defense
of their country during the late rebellion,
and those bodies now lie in almost every
city, village and hamlet churchyard in
the land. In this observance no form of
ceremony is prescribed, but posts and
comrades will in their own way arrange
such fitting service and testimonials OF
respect as circumstances may permit.
I'VE are organized, comrades, as our
regulations tell us, for the purpose, among
other things, of preserving and strength
ening those kind and fraternal feelings
which have bound together the soldiers,
sailors and marines who united to sup
press the late rebellion What can aid
more to assure this result than by cherish
ing tendery the memory of our heroic
dead who made their breasts a barricade
soldier lives were the reveille of freedom
to a race in chains, and their deaths a
tattoo of rebellious tyranny In arms. We
should guard their graves with sacred
vigilance All that the consecrated wealth
and taste of the nation can add to their
adornment and security is but fitting
tribute to the memory of her slain defend
ers Let no wanton foot tread rudely on
such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant
paths invite the coming and going OF
reverant visitors and fond mourners Let
no vandalism of averice or neglect no raw
ages of time, testify to the present or to
the coming generations that we have for
gotten as q people the cost of free and
undivided republic.
''If other eyes grow dull and other hands
slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn
trust, ours shall keep 1t well as long as
the light and warmth of life remains
to U.S.
Let us. then, at the time appointed,
gather around their sacred remains ana
garland the passionless mounds above
them with the choicest flowers of spring
time let us raise above them the dear old
flag they. saved from dishonor; let us in
this solemn presence renew our pledges
TO aid and assist those whom they have
left among us, a sacred charge upon the
nations gratitude-the soldiers and sail
or's widow and orphan"