The state herald., 1913-05-23


thereby providing shelter for elab-
crate floral pieces. has also seemingly
mad an influence In inspiring this
form of tribute. The vault is constant
ly filled with such pieces, including
representations Of flags, corps badges
and other military insignia. Some OF
those to be seen are fashioned from
fresh flowers. but the walls Of the vault
are covered with permanent wreaths
and other memorials fashioned from
artificial flowers that closely counter
felt natures most delicate products In
appearance.
The Logan tomb IL near the main
entrance to the cemetery, and Is ap-
preached through a massive monu.
mental gateway. the white pillars OF
which bear the names Of a number OF
the republics military heroes. Be-
side the vault, as though standing
guard over 1t, is an old war cannon,
and few steps beyond the visitor
enters labyrinth of low hedge. form.
ed from the sweetscented box.
The principal exercises are held on
the morning of Memorial day In a
natural amphitheater formed by the
wooded slope which descends at the
rear OF the Logan vault. The speak
ers occupy a rostrum conforming in
Its memorial pillars to the architecture
OF the gateway already mentioned, and
the orator OF the day never fails to
make reference to the cemetery's most
distinguished occupant and the part
he played in giving to the nation one
OF It's most significant holidays. Fol.
lowing the general program special
services are held at the Logan vault.
these services being. as rule, In
charge OF either the Grand Army OF
the Republic, OF which organization
General Logan served for three terms
as commanderin-chief, or one or an.
other OF the associations made up OF
natives OF the state OF Illinois. The
place OF honor at these services Is nj.
ways accorded to Mrs. John A. Logan,
the widow OF the general.
Persons who have visited the Lo.
gan tomb In the past and who return
for this years Memorial day exercises
will ind one important change In the
surroundings. Occupying n site Just
across the road and overlooking the
tomb there has lately been completed
the largest and most important build.
Ing Of the United States Soldiers
home. Grant hall. as the new struc.
ture has been named In honor OF the
Union leader. is splendid marble
structure that will cost. with It's fur.
nlshings. close 10 one and one-half
million dollars. II Is designed for In.
mates OF the home. and n large pro-
portion OF the windows In the big
building win command view OF the
last shelter tent OF General Logan and
the foral tokens banked behind It's
iron gaten
II may, perhaps. strike the reader as
n tribe odd that there should be need
Of anew building TO enlarge the quar-
tera OF soldiers home, whereas the
old soldiers In the national and state
homes In all parts OF the United States
are rapidly responding TO their last
rollcall The explanation OF the ait.
un,ion at the institution on the heights
beyond Washington Ia found In the
fact that this refuge IL absolutely
unique among all the soldiers homes
In our land. Whereas the other homes
are supported by the national or state
governments nH havcns for volunteer
veterans principally OF the Civil war;
whom oycrtakcn by III health or nd.
] vanolng years. the institution where