Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-05-31
Mrs. John A. Logan
Tells Ho1v Annual
Ceremony Was In
augurated By Her
Husband y y y

N laid down his life in the
service of his country. Mrs. John A.
Logan, has given her time and efforts
since the commencement of foreign
hostillties to work for the afflicted OF
the present war.
IL cannot rest, and will not, so long
as strength is given me, for ! know
what sorrow and suffering is wrought
upon the helpless by war" she said.
II was in the spacious workroom at
the top of her beautiful home In
Washington that her visitor found her.
II was not sewing day, and instead
of European 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 participation in the events
which made American history at
crucial period of this country's life,
and 1t was Of those things she was in
n mood to talk.
81 have been thinking 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 fol-
lowing us. win see to 1t that homage is
done to those who paid the price of a
nations salvation. 1t is duty we owe
and II should never die.
This year. as we strew with flow
ers the graves Of those who died for
Just cause we cannot but think of
the terrible cataclysm Of suffering and
death now overwhelming Europe, and
the great range Of memorial days
which win be its heritage ere long.
II prefer the name Memorial day
10 Decoration day, for although ours
Is n national holiday. 1t should not be
forgotten that II is day OF national
remembrance Of the dead and ought
20 be observed with seemly quietude
and dignity. l have been very much
panied these later years to note that
many Of the younger generation have
lost all sight Of the original meaning
Of the day, and that in some places it
Is celebrated by such diversions as
horse racing and other rlotous sports
which seem 20 be 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 It is
good to note that the Sons Of Veterans
who are now filling the places of theiI
fathers. take a very serious view oi
their duty in consecrating this one day
TO sacred memory and affectionatt
tribute to our sorlier dead, and are
carrying out appropriate programs
at the various grounds where soldier,
Of the Civil war lie buried.
II can, too. say Ia all truth that Me
mortal day has brought forth grea
harvest Of worthiiy expressed senti
ment. the occasion having inspire,
men and women to utterances of rea
eloquence. beautiful thoughts an,
true poetry, because the theme i
worthy Of the best that loyal heart
can feel and gifted tongues or pen
express.
"Yes. Decoration day was tn
thought and institution of Genera
Logan. and recall every detail o
every incident which led to its inaugu
ration. It was in March, 1868, tina
General Logan. redeeming a promis
made during the election campaign o
Grant and Colfax, made an engage
ment for himself and me to accom-
pHny his good friend, Col. Charles
Wilson, editor of the Chicago Journa
upon visit TO the city Of Richmon
and the battlefields Of Virginia. TIL
colonel. who was n bachelor, was AZ
companied by his fiancee, Miss Farra
OF Boston.
General Logan was then in col
gress. and matters of great important
were before the national legislator