| Show I DECORATION DAY Nett Wednesday May 30 ii regarded by every veteran of the Union army and by m many ny other citizens ot this re republic republic public as the national Sabbath be because because cause It Js Is Decoration Day the day set apart for a tribute of appreciation to the members of the great army of the nations defenders who have an answered the roll call on the other shore It is most fitting that tbt one day in every years should be devoted to this pur purpose purpose pose The men who fought for t the e preservation of the Union are entitled d to it and aU all the people should join In making the anniversary aU all that It ought to be belt beIt lt It was on May ii i 1568 that General John A Logan or of orthe the ne newly ly organized Grand Army of the Republic issued hIS first Decora Decoration Uon tion D Day y order The order is more than thana a mere formal military paper It is isan s san an eloquent tribute to the memory or of orthe the men who ho gave theIr lives for tor their count country After designating the day and stating that it was set apart for the purpose ot of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of com comrades rades who ho died In fn defense of their coun country try to en eral Logan went ent on one We e should shoud guard their graves gracs with sacred vigilance All lI that the conse consecrated consecrated crated wealth and taste or of the nation can add dd to their thair adornment and se security security is ig but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders Let no wanton foot tre tread d rudely on such hallowed grounds s Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of rever reverent reverent ent visitors and fond mourners Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that We have forgotten as a people the cost of ofa ofa a free and undivided republic If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack A and d other heArts cold In inthe Ute the solemn trust ours shall shaH keep it well as long as the light and 1100 warmth of life remain to us Let us then at atthe atthe the time appointed gather gathor around their sacred remains and garland the pas mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime let us raise above t them em the dear old flag they AVe saved from dishonor let us in this sot sol solemn presence renew our solemn to aid and assist those whom hom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nations soldiers and sailors nors widow and orphan In the beginning Decoration Day was waso o observed red only for the soldier dead an and especially for the dead who had served In the Union army Gradually Gradual though It h has become the custom to decorate the graves of others including those of men who wore the gray for the pas passage passage sage of time softened the bitterness of the conflict the harsher memories faded away Today Decoration Day Is uni universally observed and it Is one of out our finest holidays i I i i i |
