Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1914-05-29
LAST MEMORIAL DAY ORDER.
Issued for 1914 Observance by De
partment Commander.

from General JOnn n. Logan. lsouet
on MAY 5, 1865, this order directed
that veterans observe May 30 for this
reverential purpose. 1t has remained
thus to this day, and though not an
official national holiday, is observed
as such in most Of the states. This
is the forty-ffth memorial day since
that time. A month ago Confederate
veterans in similar manner paid their
measure of respect and affection for
the dead of the armies Of the lost
cause. The great public though, has
long ceased to differentiate between
those of the one side or the other as
honored veterans. Memorial day as
custom had its beginning in the
southern states. In the forty-fve
years since General Logan's order,
Memorial day has come to have even
broader significance than as day
of honor to soldier dead alone, though
their place is first. In this time it
is reckoned day for decorating
graves of all who have died.
The following proclamation order
has been issued by S. w. Taylor, de-
partment commander of the Oregon
G. A. R., to the different Posts calling
attention to the observation of Me-
mortal Day on May 80:
Another Memorial Day approaches,
the day we celebrate in memory Of
the heroes who have gone to answer
the roll call in the Grand Army be-
yond, the day we celebrate by laying
roses and garlands of flowers on the
low green mounds of those We love.
1t is eminently fitting that we should
commemorate their deeds and that
their memories should be honored by
their surviving comrades.
Fifty years ago our government was
shaken to its foundation by internal
foes, and we passed through the great
est war of modern times, a war that
cost us nearly four hundred thousand
loyal lives for the preservation and
integrity of this grand government,
our country, the refuge of the down
trodden and oppressed of all the
world. And now on this day let us
pledge anew our fealty to comrades
living and renew our obligation to the
memory of the dead by spreading
choicest flowers DER the graves in
which they lie awaiting the last re-
veille; let us keep alive this Me-
mortal Day and teach the rising gen
Grafton the sacrdness of these OBJ
On May 80 let us gather in the
cemeteries, we and our families, the
Spanish War Veterans, the National
Guard, the Woman s Relief Corps, the
Ladies of the G. A. R., the Sons of
Veterans, the citizens of our towns,
school children and the little ones
scarce out of mothers arms.
Let all the mmebers of the G. A.
R. who are physically able march in
procession through the cemeteries. If
there be some who totter and stumble,
their clinging love and feeble support
to the flag serves as a touching and
lesson in patriotism to the
younger. Give peace in the process
sion to the Women s Relief Corps and
Ladies of the G. A. R. Their loyalty
deserves it. Ask the Spanish War
Veterans to march also. 1t is good on
that day that the old veterans Of '61
and the men of 1913 still in their
prime, with their faithful auxiliaries,
should march together from grave to
grave of departed comrades, leaving
each grave fair with flags and flow
ers. 1t is right that they and all
,itizens should listen, drawn close to-
yether in the bonds of memory, love
md patriotism, to the solemn taps
'everberating over the graves of our
beloved dead. 1t is a deserved honor
o the past. 1t is a call of patriotism
o the future.
The cemetery is the final levelling
ground, and the love Of country is the
yreat common bond between us all.
.et there be a community of inter-
,st on that day.
The Department Commander earn
'stly desires that the Memorial seas
IN may be generally observed and
Is great lessons more deeply impress
ID upon the hearts of the people than
IN any previous occasion.
Let us not forget or neglect that
most important duty of visiting the
chools on some convenient day during
he week ending on May 30 such dates
o be arranged by the Memorial COM
nittees and the principles and teach
rs of the schools.
Let every comrade, whether spec
ally detailed for that duty or not,
ay aside other engagements and re-
air to the public school there teach
ng, even by his presence, lessons of
atriotism to the young people of our
tate, those who are so soon to assume
he burdens and responsibilities of
ltizenship.
Let those who address the children
peak briefly and simply, striving to {
npress upon their minds the great n
'ssons of loyalty and good citizen 5
nip.
Every comrade detailed for this SER 1
ice should esteem such appointment G
) an honor, and consider himself dis t
raced fy a failing to report for duty u