The Ordway new era., 1918-05-24
general eHoH,zAZ0Sa

from the papers she had at hand ana
read:
Headquarters. Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie, Adjutant Generals Office. 4l6 i9th
Street Washington. ID. C.. May 5. 1868.
GENERAL ORDERS. NO. II.
/. The 30th of May. 1858. is designated
for the purpose OF strewing howers or
otherwise decorating the graves OF COM
rades who died in defense of their coun-
try during the late rebellion. ana whoso
bodies now lie In almost every Guy, VII
lage and hamlet churchyard In the land
In this observance no form or ceremony
is prescribed. but posts and comrades WILL
in their own way. arrange such httihH
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 ana
strengthening those kind and frhternhl
feelings which have bound together the
soldiers. sailors and marines VINO uhiteu
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 brensls
barricade against our country ana its
foes? Their soldier lives were the reVeille
OF freedom to IA 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 a fitting tribute
to the memory OF her slain defenders.
Let no wanton foot tread rudeiy 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 raVases
of time, testify to the present or coming
generations that we have forgotten as "a
people the cost of n 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 1t well as long
as the light and warmth OF Ire remain
| to us.
! Let us. then, at the time appointed.
gather around their sacred remains ana
garland the passionless MOUNDS ABOVE
them with the choicest flowers OF spring
time; let us raise above them the dear
old flag they saved from dishonor; let US
in this solemn presence renew our pledge
to aid and assist those whom they nave
left among us sacred charge upon a
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 1t will be kept up
from year to year. while survivor OF tne
war remains to honor the memory OF ms
departed comrades He earnestly desires
the public press to call attention to TINS
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
8 Department commanders VIII use ev-
cry effort to make this order effective.
By order of
Commander in Chief
n. p. CHAPMAN,
fOmciaD Adjutant General
VIM. t. COLLINS. A. A. @.
"The loyal people of the country
took most kindly to the idea said
Mrs. Logan, "and my husbands hn-
ticipations were fully realized by the
observance of the day In every stnte
in the Union, the exercises being char
octerized by observations very much
the same as those which take place
today.
after many inquiries and some DIS
cussion 1t was decided that May 10
was probably the most appropriate
day for the universal observance or
the ceremony in every state In the
Union. and General Logan finally
succeeded in making the day ma
tional holiday.
"On Memorial day there is no dis
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 privntes.
"There are few now living who won
great honors during the Civil wnr.
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. 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"