Newark post., 1914-05-20
FIVE MINUTES FOR MEMORY

The custom Of observing Five
Minutes for Memory" on Memorial
Day, was introduced in Newark
last year. The idea, however, had
not been widely explained, and it is
hoped the tolling bells will carry a
message Of true patriotism and
higher national ideals, to a larger
circle this year than in 1913.
The original designation of May
30 as Memorial Day, was intended
to set aside time for the purpose
of strewing with flowers or other
wise decorating the graves of COM
rades who had died in the defense
of their country.
The first fixed date upon which
the celebration occurred was named
by Commander-in- Chief John A.
Logan of the Grand Army of the
Republic in 1868. Logan did this,
he declared, with the hope that
the custom will be kept up from
year to year. " Gradually the
States of the Union, beginning with
Rhode Island in 1874, set aside the
day as a legal holiday, making the
occasion of nation wide Importance.
Exercises in all localities have,
since the conception of the idea,
been under the supervision of the
local posts, G. A. r. AS the ranks
of the veterans have dWindled and
many of their more forceful men,
bers have passed to the Great Be
yond, a decided change has marked
the observance Of the day. 1t has
become Decoration Day rather than
Memorial Day. The more serious
minded make it a time for decorat-
ing the graves of departed loved
ones; to those connected with the
business world it is welcome hol-
iday in the glad springtime. Hun
dreds Of thousands swell the re-
ceipts of opening day in all the
city parks; other thousands throng
to the base ball games. Everywhere
there reigns pleasure and good
cheer.
And in the joyousness of the
earl y summer time we would have
it so, but we must still include in
our program the cultivation of pat
riOtic ideals.
Legislatures of tie States did not
legalize the day for pleasure alone,
but as a time in the matter-of- fact
hustle Of modern life. in which we
might pause to compare the mo-
tives that prevail in our day with
those of the last generation. Are
ours as lofty and pure? Do they
approach the standard of unselfish
devotion, fixed by the patriots of
the old days? Are we maintaining
just as steadfastly, the early ideals ?
The demands Of our country come
now i'll another guise, but they are
ever present with u.s. Do we plan
i'll our daily life, to devote to the
general veal, the time and energy
that we owe? This phase of the day
has been covered in many cities
since 1910, by setting aside Of the
five minutes following noon, as a
time of conservation, when our
mind shall dwell upon past history,
and the heroes who have made it;
when we shall reconsecrate our
selves to the service demanded of
us, In neighboring cities the bells
are tolled, the whistles blown, for
this short time, in recognition of
day. The city police stand at at
tention, and the booming guns
mark the solemniyt of the hour.
May we not, as townspeople,
adapt the custom to its greatest
good in our locality?
We would suggest in addition to
the tolling of the bells, a closing of
the hotels and other business
places-and endeavor ON the part
of everyone to join in this simple
observance in honor of heroes and
deeds of the past.