davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1916-05-28

most civilized Christian and presum-
ably peaceful nations flying at each
others throats without warning is not
lost on humanity and it will be en-
larged upon and carefully applied to
our own country"
Col McElroy. in discoursing upon the
changes which had taken place in the
observation of Memorial day within the
past half century, called attention to
the long observed custom at the Sol
diers' Home at Washington, where the
veterans yet answering the call of
reveille on the morning of Memorial
day go out early in the morning and,
walking through the cemetery where
proudly valor sleeps place a flag on
every soldiers grave, SO that later in
the day when The flowers are distribut-
ed not one may be missed.
A pretty custom is observed here, as
1t Is al Arlington, on the other side of
the Capital city. Since age has set its
stiffening fingers upon the faculties of
the veterans, youth is employed to
serve as hands and bending knees when
it comes to decorating the graves.
Bands of little girls clad in white ac
company the veterans to the burial
places, and as each grave is reached a
veteran stands at either side. The
child salutes, then kneels down and
lays bouquet upon the grave, the men
Evening star., 1916-05-28
shAInEGIecUND NATIONAL CEMETERY NWASHNeTc9I.s
9HE S1flLEST NATIONAL THE UFuTED

inclination, stepped down and took po-
sition behind the parapet."
A pretty custom carried out by the
veterans at the Soldiers Home at
Hampton, Va. is the casting of flowers
upon the waters in memory of those
who died at sea. When the ceremonies
attending the decoration of the graves
in the burying ground are over the vet
Grams march to the waters edge, led
by their commander. There some en-
bark in boats. while others remain on
land, and with songs and stirring ad-
dresses which recall the deeds of the
sailors of the civil war they scatter
the flowers over the waters.
A ceremony of somewhat the same
character takes place in Washington
each Memorial day. the Women's Relief
Corps being mainly responsible for the
beautiful rite of strewing flowers upon
the Potomac from vessel. to the ac-
compartment of appropriate words and
music, it floats down toward the
sea, the blossoms carrying their fra
grant message to the deeps of the
Atlantic.
An unusual idea in the form of a
floral tribute to the sailors and marines
of the civil war is that of Veteran Ste
phen R. Whitney Every year for the
past fourteen he has made boat. and.
receiving flowers from all who wish to
Evening star., 1916-05-28

country. That is the controlling spirit
OF Memorial day at present.
AS an evidence of the change in the
spirit of the day. it will be recalled
that at first the flag at Memorial day
exercises was displayed at half mast,
and so hung all through the exercises:
later. as the changing spirit came on
all, the flag was boisted- at half mast
in the morning and at noon was raised
as an expression of exultation over the
fruits of the great war. Today there
is no half masting of the flag at all 1t
is raised at once to the peak in full
glory and pride, that every one may
gaze upon it not with sorrow, but in
overlooking gratitude and pride"
What is the lesson that this Me-
mortal day will teach?" Col McE1roy
was asked.
Today" answered the veteran SOL
dier. 'in the face of the awful catas-
trophe which has descended on Europe
in a single night, the main lesson of
Memorial day is that of preparation
against an overwhelming calamity that
may not come upon US as lightly as
man who travels, but may descend as
hastily as an earthquake or cyclone
Everywhere on Memorial day this year
the main theme will be national readi-
ness. The spectacle Of three of the
Evening star., 1916-05-28

most kindly to the idea" said Mrs
Logan, and my husbands anticipations
were fully realized by the observances
of the day in every state in the Union,
the exercises being characterised by OBJ
servations very much the same as those
which take place today.
x
After many inquiries and some dis
cussion. it was decided that May 80
was probably the most appropriate day
for the universal observance of the
ceremony in every state in the Union.
and Gen. Logan finally succeeded In
making the day national holiday.
~ have always thought it strange
that a people so loyal to their country
should have been second of the two
factions in our civil war in doing hon.
age to their military heroes. but the ex-
PLANTATION must be that the north was
so deeply engrossed in the business of
rebuilding the nation that il gave itself
no time for sentiment.
1T is gratifying thought that the
south has continued this form of COM
memorating its dead, SO that this coun-
try oversees the observance of one day
in every year given over to the memory
of its soldiers who fell in the civil war
and the beautifying of their graves in
commemoration of their sacrifice.
"On Memorial day there is no dis
Unctton made between officers and men.
Death. the great leveler, makes them
all heroes alike. and p,audits and bios
SONS are distributed with equal gen.
erosity between the great generals and
the privateS.
There are few now living who won
great honors during the civil war All
the great commanders of armies have
passed away, and there are but few
left who commanded corps, divisions,
brigades or regiments. The patriotic
organizations. who have so faithfully
preserved the memory of their fallen
comrades, are also much depleted in
membership. 1t is. therefore. to the men
Of the younger generation we must
look to keep green the memory of those
who died to make our nation"
Evening star., 1916-05-28

standing at salute meanwhile. Rising,
the little white-clad girl again salutes,
turns and all march away to decorate
the next grave.
This pleasing ceremony is also car
ried out at Battle Ground cemetery at
Washington, two miles north of Sol
diers' Home. This sacred plot, the
smallest national burying ground in
the United States, covers just one acre
of ground. but each Memorial day it is
accorded as full and as beautiful cere-
monies as are held at its famous pro-
totype, Arlington, across the river, the
veterans and the school children join
ing forces in paying it due homage.
This brave little eternal camping
ground contains the bodies Of forty
soldiers of the civil war who fought
and died in what is known as Early's
raid. the one conflict of the civil war
taking place within the borders of the
District of Columbia. The Union SOL
diers who fell in this conflict were in
tered close to the battlefield, where
they now lie, the graves ranged in a
circle round natural mound, in
whose center the Stars and Stripes
fly from a tall flagstaff. On the lawn
Evening star., 1916-05-28
Encouragement.

A MILLIONAIRE railroad man and a
~ munitions contractor said to a re-
porter in his New York office:
Scandal. even when proved false.
does immense harm. They who are
maligned get small comfort when you
tell them the scandal is false-does this
news. which they knew already. make
good the harm they have suffered?
Such comfort is almost as bad as the
remark of the mutual friend.
oh, how l adore that girl! chap
said to this fellow. But she's so beau
tiful. so fascinating, / know I'll never
succeed in winning her love-
Rot. said the mutual friend. Lots
Of other men have succeeded. Why
shouldn't your"
Evening star., 1916-05-28

come over the sentiment of Memorial
day since its Inauguration nearly half
century ago. Col. John McElroy of
Washington. D. c.. past commander of
the Department of the Potomac and
prominent friend of the Grand Army of
the Republic. said:
When Memorial day was Instituted
in 1868 it was a day of loving appre-
citation and sorrow for those who had
given their lives that nation might
live. Especially was 1t directed to the
memory of those who had died during
the civil war. Almost half a century
has elapsed. This country which those
men saved at such great sacrifice of
themselves has now orospered and at
tained greatness inconceivably beyond
the dreams of the most sanguine.
The time of mourning has therefore
passed. as all seasons must pass. and
there has come with each succeeding
year a feeling of high gratitude for
blessings which these men bought with
their blood, and of calling attention to
this and awakening the appreciation of
all.
With this has come the effort to in
still patriotism into the rising genera
ton, to teach all Americans that the
noblest duty of American manhood is
to dare and die if need be for the
Evening star., 1916-05-28

in fronea granite monument tells the
story of the conflict.
This veritable Gods acre gains it's
chief interest from the fact Of its be-
ing the scene of the one battle of the
civil war witnessed by President Lin
coin. Mr.. Lincoln had driven out with
his friend DR.. Crawford to Fort Stevens,
close by the scene of action. to watch
the course of events. The strife was in
progress and he climbed the rampant
to look on. His tall, spare figure was
so conspicuous an object for the en-
emy's bullets that those about him
begged him to descend. He would not,
seeming to feel no fear and express
ing sorrow for those engaged in the
struggle.
The danger to the President was seen
by his friends, and Gen. Wright, who
was in command of the fort, went up
to him and said:
"Mr. President, I know that you are
commander of the armies of the United
States. but / am in command here. and
as you are not safe where you are
standing and as / am responsible for
your personal safety. I order you to
come down"
Mr.. Lincoln looked at me-" said
Gen. Wright in telling of the incident
later. smiled. and then. more in con-
sideration of my, earnestness than from
Evening star., 1916-05-28

seem to be a very prostitution of the
main idea of the occasion.
The Grand Army of the Republic
has made strong protestations against
the misuse of our national day of
mourning for the soldiers who gave
their lives for our country. and 1t Is
good to note that the Sons of Veterans,
who are now filling the places of their
fathers. take a very serious view of
their duty in consecrating this one day
to sacred memory and affectionate trib-
ute to our soldier dead, and are carry
Ing out appropriate programs at the
various grounds where soldiers Of the
civil war lie buried.
II can. too. say in all truth that Me-
Evening star., 1916-05-28

church grants at the time of the civil
war. and were used as burial grounds
for the citizens and soldiers.
In the burying ground near Peters
burg we saw many hundreds of
graves of Confederate soldiers, and they
nearly ali bore a small faded flag. and
the dark, withered Wreaths and rem
nants of their floral decoration of near
ly year before. These mournful me-
mentoes Of the bygone tragedy of the
south touched me deeply, and on our
return home from the tour of the bat
tlefields told my husband of this trib-
ute of the southern men and women
to their soldier dead.
Gen. Logan reciprocated my feeling
as to the fitness of the sentiment ex-
pressed. He said that 1t was a revival
of an ancient custom, for the people of
formed the rite of decorating the graves
of their dead heroes with flowers. He
considered the matter for a time, and
then said he did not see why it might
Union soldiers. He talked it over with
Col. Wilson, who heartily approved
the plan and said he would further 1t
as far as possible through the columns
of the Chicago Journal.
Gen. Logan, who was then comman-
der-in-chief of the Grand Army of the
Republic, decided that he would issue
an order for the decoration of the SOL
diers graves on the following 30th of
May. Sending for Gen. Chapman, adju-
tant general of the Grand Army of the
Republic, he dictated order No. IL. for
the first decoration Of Union soldiers
graves which ever took place in the
United States.
That order is now read at every
Decoration day ceremony which takes
place over the graves of Union soldiers
who fought in the civil war. 1t is as
follows" and Mrs. Logan picked out
from the papers she had at hand and
read:
s5and Of the s.t5
General Orders No. IL.
the purpose of strewing with flowers other
wise decorating the graves of comrades who died
in defence Of their during the late
every city, village and hamlet churchyard in
the lapd. In this observance no form Of cere-
will in their own way arrange such fitting serv-
ices and testimonials of respect circum-
We are organized. comrades as our regula-
fh,ns. hSns tel u.s. for the & PURPOSE, among other
together the soldiers. sailors and marines who
united to suppress the late rebellion.' What
cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic
dead. who made their breasts a barricade
I thy reSes IF to
race In chains. and their deaths the tattoo Of
fsbsllious rebel tyranny in arms We should guard
the nation can add to their adornment and
Of her slain defenders. Let NO wanton foot
tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let
reverent visitors and fond mourners Let no
vandalism avarice neglect, ravages Of
time. testify to the present or coming genera
Evening star., 1916-05-28

tions that we have forgotten as a people the
cost of free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull, and other hands
slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust.
ours shall keep 1t well as long as the light
and warmth of life remain to us.
Let us, then. at the time appointed gather
around their sacred remains and garland the
passionless mounds above them with the choicest
flowers of springtime; let raise above them
the dear old flag they saved from dshonor; let
in this solemn presence renew our pledges
to aid and assist those whom they have left
among us. a sacred charge upon nations
gratitude-the soldiers widow and orphan.
O. 1t is the purpose Of the commander in chief
to inaugurate this observance with the hope
Evening star., 1916-05-28

rible cataclysm Of suffering and death
now overwhelming Europe. and the
great range of memorial days which
will be its heritage ere long.
Il prefer the name Memorial day to
Decoration day. for although ours is
a national holiday. II should not be for
gotten that II is a day of national re-
observed with seemIy Quietude and dig
nifty. ] have been very much panied
these later years to note that many OF
the younger generation have lost all
day: and that in some places it is cele-
brated by such diversions as horse
racing and other riotous sports which
Evening star., 1916-05-28

III Nj
but that of remembering the
nations dead on May 80 has expert
enced no diminution since its first cele-
bration in 1868.
The custom of annually strewine
flowers on the graves of the dead. mill
tary and civil. has on the contrary be-
come a habit so fixed as to necessitate
the national setting apart of the day
for this one purpose.
Since that Both day of May, forty
eight years ago. when the still young
members of the various posts of the
Grand Army of the Republic marched
in stalwart ranks to their national or
local burying grounds and scattered
flowers upon the graves of their dead
comrades, with words of eulogy and
hymns of remembrance. many changes
have occurred in the observance of the
day, and many features have been add
ed which give to the occasion a unique
interest.
One of the most touching features Of
Decoration day is the gradual diminu-
tion, year by year, in the number of
veterans of the civil war who take
part in the memorial parades to the
cemeteries, and in the services thereat.
To the onlooker nothing is more
pathetic than to see the broken ranks
of brave old men marching steadily
by with heads erect imparting a mar
tial air to their bearing. despite the
physical infirmities of three score years
and ten. which have passed over the
heads of the majority.
But old blue uniforms are yet brought
out. military hats donned, and, with
goodiy array of service medals show
tng honorable discharge of military
duties. they yet reveal that spirit of
the sixties that stands today for much
of this country's progress
Asked recently what changes had
Evening star., 1916-05-28
MRS. JOHN A. LOGAN.
Copyright by Clinedinst.)

that it will be kept up from year to yeaf, while
survivor of the war remains to honor the
memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly
desires the public press TO call attention to
this order and lend its friendly aid in bringing
1t to the notice Of comrades in all parts Of
the country in time for simultaneous compli-
Herewith.
8. Department commanders will every ef-
fort to make this order effective.
By order Of JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander in Chief.
n. P. CHAPMAN,
(0ficial) Adjutant General.
WIN. T. COLLINS. A. A. q.
The loyal people Of the country took
Evening star., 1916-05-28

mortal day has brought forth a great
harvest of worthiiy expressed senti-
ment. the occa sion having inspired men
and women to utterances of real elo-
duence. beautiful thoughts and true
poetry, because the theme is worthy of
the best that loyal hearts can feel and
gifted tongues or pens express
Yes, Decoration day was the thought
and institution of Gen. Logan, and I re-
call every detail of every incident
which led to its inauguration. 1t was
in March. 1868. that Gen. Logan, re-
deeming a promise made during the
election campaign of Grant and Colfax,
made an engagement for himself and
me to accompany his good friend; Col.
Charles L. Wilson, editor of the Chi
cago Journal. upon a visit to the city
of Richmond and the battlefields of
Virginia. The colonel. who was
bachelor, was accompanied by his
niece, Miss Anna Wilson, and his
fiancee. Miss Farrar of Boston.
Gen. Logan was then in Congress,
and matters of great Importance were
before the national legislature, and in
consequence my husband could not ac-
company us. The colonel insisted upon
my taking my two children with us,
tie boy. John A. Logan. jr, a mere
baby. However. he regarded the trip
in the light Of an historic pilgrimage
and felt that the children should see
some of the battlefields over which dis
tinguished generals had led their
armies.
at was a cold, bleak day on which
we arrived in, Richmond. and the hotel
was a desolate place of refuge. 1t af-
forded one of the evidences of the
privations which the people of the
Confederacy had suffered. These evil
dences were very plentiful throughout
the city, as we later discovered. The
vehicle which Col. Wilson found for our
conveyance for the drive to the battle
gounds nearby was wretched car
horses. The driver was the picture of
detection. and the small boy who serv-
ed as footman was no better, and he
shivered from head to foot with the
cold. We had brought an abundance of
warm wraps and travelling rugs with
the cold creatures on the driving seat.
las we drove over the battlefields
we observed colored people picking up
the bullets and pieces of shell, shrapnel.
mimic balls, bits of broken cannon and
other iron material. Foundries had set
quite a livelihood for a time to the
poor about fortified cities and battle
fields.
I'VE visited the churchyards and cem-
eteries at Richmond and Petersburg
made historic through the struggles
which had taken place in and around
those cities. There were great many
burial grounds in those neighborhoods,
because the glebes. which were land
grants from England to the Episcopal
Church in America, had still existed as
Evening star., 1916-05-28

M RS JOHN A. LOGAN Relates How Visits to Baeields With
" Her Famous Husband Brought About the Idea Of National
Holiday for the Decoration Of Graves of Civil War Heroes-Tbute
Southern Men Women Their Dead Was the Real Origin
the Day-General Orders No. -Seecton the Day. May 3O
Evening star., 1916-05-28

G1 HE widow OF a great general
who led many victorious
charges in the civil war, and
q mother of soldier who laid
down his life in the service Of his
country, Mrs John A. Logan. has given
her time and her efforts since the com
mencement of foreign hostilities to
work for the AFFLICTED of the present
war abroad.
Il cannot rest. and Will not. 50 long
as strength is given me. for I know
what SORROW and suffering is wrought
upon the helpless by war" she said
1t was in the spacious workroom at
the top of her beautiful home in Wash
inston, where she and her friends have
met weekly for many months to sew
for the impoverished people of Europe.
that her visitor found her. 1t was not
a sewing day, and instead of European
war work Mrs. Logan was sitting at
her desk absorbed in the perusaI of
letters, papers and books which related
to the long past of her own life. to
war nearer home and to her own par
ticipation in the events which made
American history at a crucial period of
this country's life. and II was of those
things she was in a mood to talk.
Despite the years which for long
have made her hair a snowy crown,
Mrs Logan remains the handsome
woman which youth and middle life
saw her Her figure is erect and her
carriage IS as full of gracious dignity
of yore. and the keen intellect,
whose activity seems undiminished by
the years. is yet asserted through dark
eyes that can still sparkle with indig-
nation over an unrighteous act. or
dance with laughter at a bit OF humor.
-.
"As May advances, / have been think
ing of what the coming Memorial day
must mean to US ALL" she said. The
survivors of the civil war are rapidly
passing OFF the stage of life. but those
who yet remain from that time. and
they who are following US, will see to
ii that homage is done to those who
paid the price of a nations salvation.
1t is a duty we~owe. and II should
never die.
This year. as we strew with flowers
the graves of those who died for a Just
cause. We cannot but think Of the ter
Evening star., 1916-05-28

Lesson of Memorial
Day Today Little
Girls Help Soldiers
Decorate the Graves.
At the Smallest Ma
tiona! Burying Ground
in the United States.
Flowers Cast Upon the
Waters in Memory of
Those Who Died at Sea,
Ceremony of Carrying
a Post Flag to the
cemetery at Barre,
Mass A Floral Cross
at Larned, Kan.-Clara
Barton Memorial.
Tribute to Twelve
Nurses Buried at Ar
lington.
Evening star., 1916-05-28

contribute, has decked his little craft
with the Stars and Stripes, filled IL with
blossoms, which are sent to him from
every part of the country. always In
cluding a floral tribute from the Preei-
dent Of the United States, and has
launched IL with due ceremony iar
down the Potomac. where II Is carried
out to sea bearing it's blossoms OF re-
membrance for those who perished IN
naval engagements. The little launches
are named, as a rule. in honor OF one or
another of the well known nurses VINO
did duty at the front during the civil
war His boat this year is called the
Catherine, after the daughter Of
prominent veteran of the Grand Army
of the Republic.
Comrade whitney. now in his eight
feth year, served with the 7th New
York Heavy Artillery. and did valiant
duty on the field. serving in twelve
major battles and many minor en-
gagements. During $50 days in the
field OF continuous fighting day and
night. his command lost, in 100 days.
1854 men on the fields near Petersburg,
Va Despite his four-score years, Mr.
whitney is yet hale and hearty. and
amply equal to ill the duties of the
position he has held in the United
States pension office for the past thirty
three years.
Evening star., 1916-05-28

n 81 OF many customs based on senti-
IN\II ment alone survive half a CEN
III Nj tury of regular observance,
- but that of reme herin. the
Evening star., 1916-05-28

mortal day has brought forth a great
harvest of worthily expressed senti-
ment. the occasion having inspired men
and women to utterances of real elo-
ouence. beautiful thoughts and true
poetry, because the theme is worthy of
the best that loyal hearts can feel and
gifted tongues or pens express.
Evening star., 1916-05-28

"a HE widow OF a great general
who led many victorious
III charges IN the civil war, and