Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24

-FMORIAJ. day which will be cele-
MI brated next Saturday in almost
IVA every state of our Union, has
been set apart by statute as special
day for decorating the graves OF the
nations soldiers and for holding appro-
pirate exercises in their memory. Nhlie
it originally sprang from spontaneous
desire to do honor to the heroes VINO
fell in the civil war, still it is no"
celebrated in honor of all the soldier
dead, that their heroisms and sacrlnces
may never be forgotten
1t is interesting to trace the origin
of this holiday, for Ike many another
modern institution. it goes back to the
early days of civilization. We have
been celebrating it with a special sig
nifcance for the last forty-eight years.
and yet, upon examining it, We find the
aaaptation of an ancient custom rather
than the expression of a new idea In
fact DAYS set aside for ceremonies to
honor the dead are 50 intimately con-
rected with all races that they seem
inseparable from the practices OF CIV
iliZation.
The pagan Greeks held sacred rites
at the graves of their dead called zoal
and made offerings of olives and flowers.
A floral wreath was placed at the head
OF the grave. and if a bloom spranS
from the mound il was considered
sign of the happiness of the departed
one.
In Rome a similar festival was held
for several days in February. 1t was
known as the Parentalla- during TINS
celebration the temples were closed and
the last day offerings were made at the
tornbs These consisted of milk, honey,
fruit, wine and other things. whiie
flowers of every variety We're used in
profuse decoration.
The Druids he'd a memorial service in
the autumn on the eve of the Thanks
giving feast while the ancient people
of Japan and China had service for
the dead called the Feast of Lanterns.
After the various nations embraced
Christianity this custom became more
widespread and the nature of its celehra-
ton changed materially. The spiritual
side of the day became the uppermost
feature and this led directly to the
founding of All Souls day. This is OBJ
served in our own country strictly III a
religious manner. hut in many places in
Europe it includes the decoration of flow
ers in addition to the spiritual exercises
In France for several days before the
feast wreaths and lunches Of immor-
in the shop windows.
After the religious services are over
the people go to the different sraveyards
laden with baskets and lunches of flow
ers, and before the day is over these
burying places are mass OF brilliant
color Not a grave is Sighted. and even
in a corner of potter's field one will find
a token of remembrance for the most
neglected one. Another interesting fea-
ture is the placing of a lighted lamp at
the foot Of the graves. The lamps are
usually taken to the graves as evening
draws on and often the people stay and
kneel there in silent meditation. The col
orcd garlands and the fiickering lights
present a strange and novel sight
In Italy the celebration is very much
like that in France. but perhaps a little
more attention is paid to the material
celebration Wreaths are often made of
metal. and, while more durable. they
hardly possess the charm or beauty OF
real leaves and flowers.
Our Memorial day Is IN truth nothing
more than a secular All Souls day. 1t
owes its origin to the women OF the
SOUTH who began the practice of deco
rating their graves less than two years
after the close of the civil war That
struggle of four years had kept our coun-
try in a constant state of commotion and
excitement Every part of the nation
had contributed its men. young and old:
to the conflict. When peace was restored
there was scarcely a village or town
that did not have grave to remind
it of the fearful cost.
A New York newspaper hrst pubAshed a
paragraph stating that few women OF
Columbus Miss. had strewn the graves
of the dead soldiers. Union as wei! as
Coafeierates This touching tribute
caused thrill of tenderness to pass
tbrorp,, the north. and it aroused, as
nothing else could have done. feeling OF
national amity and love.
The practical result of this incident
came in May, 1865. when Adjt. Gen. emp
man suggested to Gen. John A. Logan.
of the Grand Army OF
the Republic, that their organization set