Tombstone epitaph., 1918-05-26
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who fought in the Civil war It is as follows" and Mrs. Logan picked out from the papers she had at hand and read:
 Headquarters. Grand Army of the Repub-
 Street. Washington. D. C.. May ,. 1888
 GENERAL ORDERS, NO. Il.
 l. The 3oth of May. 1888. is designated for the purpose of strewins 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. will 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. among other things. ''of preserving and 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 foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a 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 wahton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths in vite the coming and going of reverent .,-;tN Taf dalism or avarice or neglect. no rava9es of time. testify to the present or coming generations that We have forgotten as people the cost of 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 il well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us
 Let us. then. al the time appoinred. gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers Of spring time let raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dshonor: let US in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us. sacred charge upon a nations gratitude-the soldiers widow and orphan.
 2 It is the purpose of the commander In chief to inaugurate this observance with inc nope that II viii be kept up from year to year. while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press 10 call attention to this order and lend its friendly aid In bringing it to the notice of comrades fin all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance herewith.
 5 Department commanders will use ev- cry effort to make this order effective.
 By order of
 JOHN A. LOGAN.
 Commander in Chief.
 N P CHAPMAN. COffIciaD Adjutant General wM 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 the observance of the day in every state in the Union, the exercises being char acterized by observations very much the same as those which take place today
 After many Inquiries and some dis cussion 1t was decided that May 30 was probably the most appropriate day for the uniNeTSai oDSerVance oi the ceremony in every state in the Union, and General Logan finally succeeded in making the day a na- tionai holiday.
 "On Memorial day there is no dls- tinctiOn made between officers and men. Death. the great leveler, makes them all heroes alike. and plaudits and blossoms are distributed with equal generosity 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. di- visions, brigades or regiments. The patriotic organizations who have so faithfully preserved the memory of their fallen comrades. are also much depleted in membership. It is therefore. to the men of the younger generation we must look to keep green the memory of those who d!ed to make our nation"