Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1913-05-22
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Y J


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 a rising generation
However, there is 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 II
seem especially appropriate. This Ia
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 WON
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. fixed. annual
event of uniform observance In the
great majority Of the states OF 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 30 as the
date for the annual Memorial day ex'
ercises and calling upon every G. A. r
post in the country to engage In Mt
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 readi' the Declaration Of In
dependence II 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 is admirably chosen with refer
ence to opportunities for keeping
green the memory Of this fiery war
Fior. 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, neal
washington, D. C. Among the thou
aand inmates Of the home are q mum
her who fought under General Logan
and naturally It is work Of love fol-
them to see to 1t that his tomb bears
evidence Of the undying admiration
of his boys" of half a century ago.
At the Soldiers Home cemetery the
veterans do most Of the scattering Of
flowers on Decoration day, there moi
being sufIicient children on hand, as
rule, TO place blossoms on SO many
graves. But the posies which the
soldiers carry to the Logan tomb are
by no means the only ones that come
thither on this festival Of remem
brance. Floral designs are sent from