Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-05-28
History Of Our
Memorial Day

Lay WIS HluuBuIhlca Wy BShci"i
order from Gen. John A. Logan,
commander In chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic and was issued
on May s, 1868. Tho order designated
May 80 OF the same year as the day
for strewing flowers on the graves Of
soldiers who died In the Civil War.
The honor of the first observance
of Decoration Day goes to the South.
In May, 1865 Memorial Day services
inspired by James Ridpath and Dr.. q.
M. Hawks, were conducted at Charles
ton, South Carolina in which soldiers,
citizens and children of many thous-
ands marched through the streets Of
that city and participated in the cere-
monies. Sometime later, the word
drifted Northward that the Charles
ton people had made no distinction
between the graves of soldiers Of
Union and of the Confederacy, which
led TO similar acts In Northern cities,
and as the animosity clinging from
the Civil War receded, 1t was possible
for General Logan to proclaim O
Memorial Day observance without fear
of friction. Better still, the kindness
OF the people of the two sections
made such move almost imperative.
The official order from General
Logan reads as follows:
1.-THE Goth day of May, 1868, is desig-
mated for the purpose of strewing
with flowers or otherwise decorating
the graves of comrades who died In
defense of their country during the
late rebellion, and whose bodies now
lie in almost every city, village and
hamlet church yard in the land. In
this observance, no form or ceremony
is prescribed, but posts and comrades
will in their own way, arrange such
fitting services and testimonials of re-
spect as circumstances may permit.
1--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
later rebellion What can better aid
now to assure this result than by
cherishing tenderly the memory of
our heroic dead, who made their
breasts a barricade between our coun-
try and its foes? Their soldier lives
were reveille of freedom to race
in chains, and their deaths 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 adornment and security
is but fitting tribute to the memory
of her slain defenders. Let, no wan
ton foot tread rudely on such hallow-
ed grounds. Let pleasant paths in
vite the coming and going of reyerent
visitors and fond mourners Let no
vandalism or avarice or neglect, no
ravages of time, testify to the present
or to the 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
solemn trust, ours shall keep it well
as long as the light and warmth of
life remains.
LET us then at the appointed time,
gather around their sacred remains,
and garland the passionless mounds
above them with the choicest flowers
of springtime; let us raise above them
the dear old flag they saved from dis
honor; let us in their solemn presence,
renew our pledges to aid and assist
those whom they have left among us,
a sacred charge upon the nations
gratitude, the soldiers and sailors
widow and orphan.
ut is the purpose of the command
er in chief to inaugurate this obsery-
ance with the hope that it will be
kept up from year to year, while q
survivor of the war remains to honor
the memory of his departed comrades.
He earnestly desires the public press
to call attention to this order, and
lend its friendly aid in bringing it to
the notice of comrades in all parts
of the country in time for simultane-
Gus compliance Herewith.
Department commanders will use
every effort to make this order effec-
tive"
BY command of Geo. John A. Logan,
Commander In Chief
N. P. Chapman, Adjutant General.
Rattlesnakes are not as common as
they used to be, in fact, they never