The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-05-30

National Order.
For some time there has existed
q great need for definite, positive
information Of the origin Of Memo
rial day. The Increasing incorrect
and often conflicting statements in
histories and encyclopedias con-
corning it made it imperative that
the correct history OF the origin OF
this now national observance be
published while some Of those re-
sponsible for its inception are yet
living.
The National Woman's Relief
corps requested General N. P. Chip
man to prepare the history. The
deep gratitude and thanks Of the
Woman's Relief corps are extend
ed to General Chapman for this
kindness. Following is his history
of its origin and purpose:
The organization. known az the
Grand Army OF the Republic is
composed of the veteran soldiers,
sailors, and marines who carried
the flag Of the republic to victory
during the great rebellion of 1861
1865. This unique and patriotic
association Of loyal soldiers Of the
nation came into being in 1866. II
spread rapidly throughout the
northern states and by 1868 it had
achieved nationwide body with
national headquarters at the ma.
tional capital, having department
organizations embracing posts in
cities and towns and a membership
of several hundred thousand. Its
fundamental object was expressed
in the three words: Fraternity
Charity and Loyalty.
In 1868 General John A Logan
who typifed the highest example
of the volunteer soldier, was com
mander-in-chief and l was adju.
tant general of this splendid or.
ganization. l will not now trace
its growth and influence upon tht
national life during the half cen.
fury it has been the nations grea
school Of patriotism Its member
ship is rapidly yielding to the.rav
ages Of time and old age and viii
in a few years cease to exist. Blu
its spirit survives and will in TIM
uncharted future OF our believes
country continue to shed its inspir
ing influence so long as the. senu
ment of liberty and free govern
ment is the guiding motive Of GU
people.
Early in May, 1868. received
letter from a comrade residing ii
Cincinnati, Ohio, suggesting that il
some of the countries Of Europe
was the custom to strew with flow
ers in the springtime the graves O
heroes who had fallen in defens
of their country, and asked if sue
custom would not be appropriat
to commemorate the services Of GU
comrades who have given thei
lives that the nation might ne
perish.
I Upon reading this letter ther
seemed to me to open up a grea
opportunity through our organizs
ton to institute observance whic
might grow into a custom tina
would help to advance its great OF
jects, and at the same time be
fitting mean Of perpetuating men
cries Of our departed comrade:
Moved by the thought. which ha
thus been inspired, l made a roug
draft on May 5, 1868, Of Genera
Orders No. II, and took it to Ger
eral Logan at the house Of repre-
/ sentatives, who promptly approve
/ OF it's issuing and after having il
serted a paragraph directed me I
, issue the order at once.
: My object was to have the cer'
monies come in spring month, b,
: to postpone it to date whic
| would give opportunity for flower
) to mature. The 31st of May tn;
: year fell upon Sunday and so
: named May 30. This is the trr
and only reason for having name
May 80 as the date to be observe
The order was given to the ASS
ciated Press and was sent to q
parts of the country as rapidly /;
telegraph and mail could convey
The day was observed by conrad
of the Grand Army of the Repub!i
aided by citizens, in n states
the Union, very imposing Ger
monies were observed at the A
lington cemetery in the District
Columbia, at which General Jam
A. Garfield, afterward president
the United States, delivered Il
principal address. Annually I
each succeeding 30th of May tn
tribute to the loyal heroes Of Il
. Civil war has been observed.
By usage and custom the obser
ance has broadened out so as
include the graves Of our dead
all previous wars of the SPANS
American war and the World VIZ
lSome touching and beautiful Gel
monies were held overseas la
Memorial day as testimonials
love and respect for those who h
died in the great World war in d
tense OF liberty, self-governme
and the freedom of the seas.
very beautiful ceremony has be
instituted, embracing the scatteri
abroad of flowers on the ocean
honor of gallant sailors and n
rines who persisted at sea. T
purpose Of instituting Memorial q
very clearly appears in the &c
eral Orders, as follows: 1.-THE 81
day of May, 1868, is designated l
the purpose OF strewing flowers
otherwise decorating the graves
comrades who died in defense