The state herald., 1913-05-23

ers of the Union army, but was ex-
ceptionally popular with his soldiers.
enough of whom are still living to In
sure lavish offerings of flowers on
each recurring holiday. without any
dependence whatever upon expressions
Of gratitude from rising generation.
However, there II yet another incen-
tive, quite aside from this common
patriotic impulse, which goes to ex.
plain this exceptional floral tribute to
General Logan. and which makes It
seem especially appropriate. This IL
found In the fact. all too often over
looked. that General Logan was the
founder Of Memorial day. as we OBJ
serve 1t in the present era. The claim
is made. apparently with perfect war
rant, that the fundamental idea Of
Memorial day originated In the south.
where a number Of kind-hearted wom-
en- inaugurated. Immediately after the
close OF the war. the prictice Of devot-
ing some chosen day In the spring to
the decoration with flowers Of the
graves of the fallen soldiers-Federal
and Confederate alike
To General Logan, though, belongs
the credit OF establishing Decoration
day in May as definite. fxed. annual
event OF uniform observance In the
Union. There had been no general
celebration and no fixed date until In
1865 General Logan. then acting as
commander-in-chief OF the Grand Army
of the Republic. took the initiative and
issued an order fixing May 80 as the
date for the annual Memorial day ex-
ercises and calling upon every G. A. r.
post in the country TO engage In At.
ting ceremonies and scatter tokens OF
regard over the last resting places
Of their former comrades In arms.
: II is predicted that ere many years
there will be general adoption through.
out the country OF the practice. already
introduced in some places. OF reading
In connection with every Memorial day
program the original order OF General
Logan instituting this event. which has
become such an important one on our
calendar. Such plan would. OF course.
follow the example OF the general Gus.
tom Of reading the Declaration OF In.
dependence in connection with Fourth
Of July exercises. For the present.
however. General Logan's recognition
IN this connection consists In special
services at his tomb. and. as has been
explained, an exceptional profusion OF
flowers. many OF the latter In the form
Of elaborate designs suggestive OF
notable events In his military career.
The last resting place OF General Lo
gan In admirably chosen with refer.
enoe TO opportunities for keeping
green the memory OF this fiery war.
rior. The body OF General Logan lies
In a handsome private vault. occupying
the most prominent place In the ma
tional cemetery connected with the
United States Soldiers home. near
Washington. d c. Among the thou
sand inmates OF the home are a mum
Der who fought under General Logan
and naturally II In a work OF love fol
them TO see TO II that his tomb bearr
evidence OF the undylng admiration
OF his boys" OF half century ago
At the Soldiers Home cemetery the
veterans do most OF tho scattering oi
flowers on Decoration day. there moi
being sufficient children on hand. as q
rule. to place blossoms on no many
graves. But the posies which the
soldiers carry To the Logan tomb ars
by no means tho only ones that CON,
thither on this festival Of rcmem
branec. Floral designs are ron, from