Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-05-31

who fought in the Civil war. 1t is as
follows" and Mrs. Logan picked out
from the papers she had at hand and
read:
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, Adtutant Generals Office, 416 14th
Street, Washington. d. c., May ., 1868.
GENERAL ORDERS, NO. II.
l. The Both of May, 1868, is designated
for the purpose of strewing flowers or
otherwise decorating the graves of COM
rades who died in defense of their coun-
try during the late rebellion, and whose
bodies now lie in almost every city, vii
lage and hamlet churchyard in the land.
In this observance no form of ceremony
is prescribed, but posts and comrades will,
in their own way, arrange such fitting
services and testimonials of respect as
circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our
regulations tell US, for the purpose,
Strengthening those kind and fraternal
feelings which have bound together the
soldiers, sailors and marines who united
to suppress the late rebellion" What can
aid more to assure this result than by
| cherishing tenderly the memory of our
| heroic dead. who made their breasts a
barricade against our country and its
| of freedom to race in chains, and their
deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in
arms We should guard their graves with
sacred vigilance.
| All that the consecrated wealth and
/ taste of the nation can add to their adorn-
| ment and security is but fitting tribute
| to the memory of her slain defenders.
Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such
hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths in
vite the coming and going of reverent
| visitors and fond mourners. Let no van
dalism or avarice or neglect, no ravages
of time, testify to the present or coming
generations that we have forgotten as a
! people the cost of a free and undivided
republic.
| If other eyes grow dull, and other hands
slack and other hearts cold in the sol
emn trust, ours shall keep it well as long
as the light and warmth of life remain
| to u.s.
Let US. then, at the time appointed
gather around their sacred remains and
garland the passionless mounds above
them with the choicest flowers of spring
time; let us raise above them the deal
old flag they saved from dishonor; let us
| in this solemn presence renew our pledge
| to aid and assist those whom they have
left among us, a sacred charge upon 6
nations gratitude-the soldiers widow
and orphan.
q 1t is the purpose of the commander
in chief to inaugurate this observance
with the hope that it will be kept w
from year to year, while survivor of the
war remains to honor the memory of hin
departed comrades. He earnestly desires
the public press to call attention to thi:
order and lend its friendly aid in bringing
it to the notice of comrades in all parts
of the country in time for simultaneous
compliance Herewith.
9. Department commanders will use ev
~ 4sr Nr1n off
BY order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander in Chief!
N P. CHAPMAN,
COficiaD Adjutant General
VIM. T. COLLINS. A. A. G.
"The loyal people of the country
took most kindly to the idea," SAID
Mrs. Logan, "and my husbands an
ticipations were fully realized by thu
observance of the day in every stat'
| in the Union, the exercises being char
acterized by observations very mucl
the same as those which take plac'
today.
: "After many inquiries and some dis
! cussion it was decided that May 3
was probably the most appropriate
: day for the universal observance o
: the ceremony in every state in tn
; Union. and General Logan finall
! succeeded in making the day na
: tional holiday.
: ION Memorial day there is no dis
l tinctiOn made between officers an
: men. Death, the great leveler, make
2 them all heroes alike, and plaudit
: and blossoms are distributed wit
equal generosity between the grea
: generals and the privates.
7 There are few now living who wo
i great honors during the Civil wa
f All the great commanders of armie
: have passed away, and there are BIT
| few left who commanded corps, d
e visions, brigades or regiments. Th
: patriotic organizations who hay
: so faithfully preserved the memor
S of their fallen comrades, are ais
d much depleted in membership. 1t
therefore, to the men of the yOungt
Y generation we must look to kee
$ green the memory of those who die
s to make our nation